I think the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin temple (to give it its full name) is probably the busiest temple I’ve been to in Hong Kong. I’ve been a few times now and it’s always been bustling with people – some are tourists but many come to pray and have their fortunes told.
To get to the temple, go to Wong Tai Sin MTR station and leave by exit B2 or B3 and it’s right next to you – you can’t miss it. Very simple!
The temple isn’t actually very old, about 40 years, and it’s a mix of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian. It’s a complex of several shrines and worship areas, which all mean different things, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about it to be able to explain it to you! This is the main area where people go to pray, present incense to the shrine, or tell their fortune by shaking sticks out of a tin (the sticks have inscriptions on and the ones that fall out will tell you something about your future). Next to this area are also a large number of fortune telling booths.
And here is me in front of the entrance to the main worship area! (a Chinese tourist insisted on taking my photo for me!) Obviously, this was pre-pregnancy ;)
In front of where the above photo was taken are some quite interesting statues representing the Chinese zodiac:
And here are some other views around the temple:
I quite liked this hexagonal building!
At the back of the temple complex is the Good Wish garden, which is generally pretty quiet. It’s not the finest example of a Chinese style garden I’ve seen in Hong Kong (I think the Kowloon Walled City Park is my favourite) but it’s a nice place to sit for a bit. There’s an honesty box which asks you to donate HK$2 (approx. £0.20) if you go in the garden.
I’d recommend a visit to the temple if you’re not familiar with temples of this type and want to see one ‘in action’. It’s an interesting place to visit!
Thanks for reading!
Rachel
the Little Koo blog 
Just incredible…………….
Did you see the giant turtle in the pool of the Good Wish garden? I’d like to know if he’s still there. I lived in Hong Kong 10 years ago and this was my favourite place to go and clear my head.
Sorry, I didn’t see him but that doesn’t mean he isn’t there!
Thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely have to pay a visit. I’ve only had time to visit Man Mo, but I’m hungry for more :)
Yes, it’s a bit more of a trek but it’s much bigger than Man Mo! For another different style of temple you could try the Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill – not as much to see but very quiet and peaceful.
Thanks! I had read about the nunnery. I’ll definitely check it out, as well.
What stunning photos! Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks!
I’m hoping to go here this summer! Turned in a study abroad application to Thailand, but spending a few days of layover in Hong Kong. Thanks for this input. I’m trying to decide which temple I should visit in Hong Kong (I’m limiting myself to 1 or 2 at most, trying to pace myself so I don’t get “Templed out” early on)
Hi Laura, thanks for commenting. I hope your plans for Thailand and Hong Kong are coming together. The Sik Sik Yuen temple is one of the biggest in Hong Kong so it might well be worth a visit. However, I would say that it’s a Buddhist temple, and therefore might be a bit similar to those in Thailand? (although more Chinese in style) Perhaps you’d find one of the Taoist temples more interesting? None of them are very big but might be worth a peek inside. The Man Mo temple in Sheung Wan is one of the biggest that I know of. Sheung Wan is also quite an interesting area to walk around. I followed this guide (http://www.timeout.com.hk/feature-stories/features/53663/great-city-walks-sheung-wan.html).
Wow thanks! Super helpful!