Tin Hau Temple, Yaumatei: A Historic Oasis in Hong Kong’s Urban Jungle
Hong Kong boasts hundreds of Tin Hau Temples (dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese Goddess of the Sea), traditionally built along coastlines to protect seafaring communities. However, decades of land reclamation for urban development have dramatically reshaped the city’s shoreline. What were once seaside shrines now stand surrounded by skyscrapers, creating striking contrasts between timeless traditions and hyper-modern cityscapes.
Tin Hau Temple, Yaumatei, the largest and oldest Mazu temple in Kowloon, epitomizes this unique blend. First constructed near today’s Pak Hoi Street in 1865, it was destroyed by the catastrophic 1874 Great Typhoon (one of Hong Kong’s deadliest storms) before being rebuilt at its current location in 1876. For over 150 years, it has witnessed Hong Kong’s metamorphosis from fishing port to global metropolis.
The temple complex isn’t just a single shrine. Wander through its atmospheric courtyards to discover:
The Main Tin Hau Temple with its iconic tiled roof and incense-filled halls
Fook Tak Tsz (honoring the Earth God)
A transformed Kung Sor (community hall) repurposed as a Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) pavilion
One of the Shu Yuen (study halls) now housing shops selling traditional crafts and souvenirs
This architectural time capsule reveals how Hong Kong preserves its heritage amid relentless urbanization. While high-rises tower overhead, the temple’s carved stone lions, red lanterns, and curling incense smoke transport visitors to another era.
Ready to explore? Hit play to step inside this tranquil sanctuary where history whispers through every archway – a quiet rebellion against the city’s breakneck pace.
以下地圖標示了本節目曾經到過香港什麼地方,方便大家查閱及前往探索。
番組内で紹介した場所は、以下の地図で確認・探索するのに便利です。
The following map indicates the places introduced in this column, which is convenient for you to check and explore.
Hong Kong has a lot of mountains and little land. In order to meet the needs of urban development, land reclamation is often necessary. Over the years, the results of land reclamation and urban development have gradually changed the appearance of the city and also gradually replaced some distinctive buildings. Buried in a cluster of high-rise buildings.
The Kwun Yum Temple in Hung Hom was built in 1873. At that time, the temple was built with the mountain behind it and the sea. After more than 150 years, the environment near the temple has changed greatly and it has become an urban landscape. The traditional appearance of the temple is in stark contrast to the modern city.
The day of the photo shoot was just before the Lunar New Year, and many people came to pay homage to the gods, making the temple very lively both inside and outside.
以下地圖標示了本節目曾經到過香港什麼地方,方便大家查閱及前往探索。
番組内で紹介した場所は、以下の地図で確認・探索するのに便利です。
The following map indicates the places introduced in this column, which is convenient for you to check and explore.
The New Year is coming. According to traditional New Year customs, the first sentence to congratulate people is usually “Congratulations on making a fortune", followed by other blessings.
One of the interesting aspects of Chinese culture is that people wish others good fortune during the Chinese New Year. In this cultural atmosphere, many Chinese New Year-related decorations are also related to wealth.
This episode we come to Prince Edward to see some wealth-related accessories, from decorations to flowers, and even candies, with many varieties, and by the way, feel the bustle of the Hong Kong market before the Chinese New Year.
以下地圖標示了本節目曾經到過香港什麼地方,方便大家查閱及前往探索。
番組内で紹介した場所は、以下の地図で確認・探索するのに便利です。
The following map indicates the places introduced in this column, which is convenient for you to check and explore.
Christmas is coming soon. Watching Christmas lights is one of the festive activities in Hong Kong. We have been to Sham Shui Po before and admired the Christmas lights full of Hong Kong characteristics. This year, we came to Sham Shui Po again to enjoy alternative lighting with everyone.
This time we will go to Garden Hill, which is about 90 meters high. It is said that it was named because it is adjacent to a nearby bakery factory with the same name. We will stop on Garden Hill to enjoy the scenery around Sham Shui Po, and we will stay until night to see the lights of thousands of houses below the mountain.
Although Christmas lights are beautiful, Hong Kong’s night view is also world-famous and can be enjoyed 365 days a year regardless of season. If you feel that just looking at Christmas lights is a bit monotonous, you might as well consider enjoying Hong Kong’s night view.
At last, wish all of you Merry Christmas.
以下地圖標示了本節目曾經到過香港什麼地方,方便大家查閱及前往探索。
番組内で紹介した場所は、以下の地図で確認・探索するのに便利です。
The following map indicates the places introduced in this column, which is convenient for you to check and explore.
所謂講故唔好駁故,只是有時遇著劇情太多犯駁位的電影,總會忍不住嘈幾句,不過最近有套電影犯駁位不少,偏偏睇完後你唔覺有咩大問題,重覺得幾好睇,就係《完美物質》 (The Substance)。
電影分別由 Demi Moore 及 Margaret Qualley 擔綱演出,劇情大概就是Demi Moore 本為影壇巨星,然而豔光隨著歲月流逝而逐漸消失,加上被電視台嫌棄,取消了由她原本主持的節目,恰好這段時間,給她碰上一個可以回春,甚至是誕生出更好的自己的一個機會,佢決定膽粗粗一試,故事就此展開。