The Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay, sometimes referred to as Tai Miu,[1] is Hong Kong's oldest and largest Tin Hau Temple.[2] It is also said to be the most popular Tin Hau temple both for fishermen and for others in Hong Kong.[1]
| Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay | |
|---|---|
佛堂門天后古廟 | |
 Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Chinese folk religion |
| Region | Fat Tong Mun, Joss House Bay |
| Deity | Tin Hau |
| Festival | Tin Hau's birthday |
| Governing body | Chinese Temples Committee |
| Location | |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Lam Tao-yi (林道義) |
| Completed | 1266 |
| Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 佛堂門天后古廟 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Fat Tong Mun Tin Hau Old Temple | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Alternative name | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 大廟灣天后廟 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Joss House Bay Tin Hau Temple | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Tai Miu | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 大廟 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Great Temple | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Location
editThe sea-facing temple is located at Fat Tong Mun (佛堂門), on the shore of Joss House Bay,[3] near the south end of Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Joss House Bay derives its name from the temple, or joss house. The Chinese name of Joss House Bay, Tai Miu Wan (大廟灣), literally means "the bay of the large temple".
History
editThe temple is said to have been built in 1266 by Lam Tao-yi (林道義).[1] There is a rock nearby, that was carved in 1274. It bears the oldest dated inscription known in Hong Kong.[4]
Tin Hau Festival and events
editOnce a year, on Tin Hau's birthday, the 23rd of the third moon on the Chinese calendar, upwards of 40,000 to 50,000 people attend celebrations at the temple.[5] Thousands of people hike their way, via the High Junk Peak Hiking Trail, to the Temple to pay their respects. Thousands of others sail into Joss House Bay in hundreds of vessels.[6]
The police have the launching ceremony of their new cruisers held at the temple.[1]
Conservation
editThe temple was managed by the Lam clan until 1939.[1] Since them, it has been managed by the Chinese Temples Committee.[1] Formerly a Grade I historic building,[7] the temple was declared a monument on October 20, 2023.[8]
Access
editThe temple is accessible via the High Junk Peak Hiking Trail.[9] A shorter walk combined with public transportation is possible from the Clear Water Bay Country Club.[10]
A ferry service to Joss House Bay is available annually from North Point Ferry Pier on the day of Tin Hau's birthday.[10][11] Joss House Bay Public Pier is located just in front of the temple.[12]
Outside the Tin Hau Birthday Celebration, a regular green minibus (Route 16) operates between MTR Po Lam station Public Transport Interchange and Po Toi O. Visitors should alight at the Tai Miu Wan stop (near the entrance to Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club) and walk for about 10 minutes down a flight of stairs to Joss House Bay, passing the rock inscription on the way down.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Information on Proposed Grade I Items. Item #70 Archived 2012-10-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Chinese Temples Committee - Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay
- ^ bc Magazine "Borne Of The Water"
- ^ Declared Monuments in Hong Kong: Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay
- ^ Birthday of Tin Hau: Unique Experiences
- ^ bc Magazine "Heavenly Queen"
- ^ List of Graded Historic Buildings in Hong Kong (as at 6 November 2009) Archived 9 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BRIEF. Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53). Antiquities and Monuments (Declaration of Monuments and Historical Buildings) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Notice 2023" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Development Bureau. 23 October 2023.
- ^ Sai Kung Magazine "Respects to Tin Hau"
- ^ a b Birthday of Tin Hau: Highlights
- ^ Tin Hau Birthday Celebrations at Joss House Bay
- ^ Film Services Offices: Joss House Bay Public Pier
- ^ Transport Department website: Green Minibus Route 16
External links
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