Following a short hike, I took a trip to Sheung Wan where a few of Hong Kong's most celebrated temples are located. Kwong Fook I Tsz Temple (built in 1850s) acts as a regular temple today, yet still remembers its past as the roots of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals where they took in the sick and destitute as refuge. In the rear hall, behind the main altars of Ksitigarbha Buddha and Ji Gong, a room holds spirit tablets honouring those who passed away in their refuge, alongside those of mainland Chinese who worked and died in Hong Kong. With bright red paint on the shotcrete slope it sits upon and low-rise tiled roof, the temple signifies its importance amongst the high rise fabric of Sheung Wan despite not having street level access.
Kwong Fook I Tsz Temple
I also took the chance to visit Man Mo Temple. Constructed in 1847, this temple is a key place to pray for families with children in education, as it primarily worships the civil/ literature god and martial god. Although various Man Mo temples exist across Hong Kong, the Grade I listed building in Sheung Wan is the largest, and is also managed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Even with bamboo scaffolding layered through the building for temporary works, many photographers enjoy coming to the temple to capture the heavenly light filtered through the incense and lanterns.
Man Mo Temple, Sheung Wan