For a relaxing day out in the country, head for the remote island of Kau Sai Chau, in the middle of the large bay off the New Territories town of Sai Kung. There you can find superb tranquillity and a temple that has won an award from UNESCO as an outstanding culture and heritage restoration project.
According to a plaque on the temple wall, it was built in 1889 as a shrine to Hung Shing, God of the Sea, one of the deities worshipped by the island's many fishermen. It also served as a community centre, and a school for the children of the village.
The building is a typical small rural temple with two halls. The courtyard between the front and main halls has been roofed over, while the space on both sides remains open. One of the side chambers was used for the school, and the other one as living quarters for the temple-keeper.
In addition to the image of Hung Shing set in a place of honour on the main altar, there are images of two other deities of seafarers, Choi Pak Shing Kwan and Shui Sin Yeuh. The wall behind the altar has an attractive mural depicting dragons, while a model of a dragon boat and seafaring memoribilia are displayed in the main hall.Although 120 years old, the temple has been renovated four times, probably because of damage caused by the fierce winds and heavy rainstorms the island is subjected to in bad weather.
The latest project was financed by a grant of HK$2 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and completed in 2000. This beautifully preserved temple won a UNESCO award for being one of the Outstanding Asia-Pacific Historic Monument Preservation Projects of 2000. The temple was declared a monument in 2002.
Open to the public from 6am - 6pm daily.
Allow a leisurely day for this outing, including a couple of hours to explore the town of Sai Kung where you can also have a great seafood meal on the waterfront.作者: twintwin 時間: 2010-1-8 21:49
How To Get There
Hung Shing Temple (Kau Sai Chau)
Bus 92 or 96R (available on Sundays & Public Holidays only) from MTR Choi Hung Station Exit C2 or Green Minibus 1A/1M from MTR Choi Hung Station Exit C2. Walk along the waterfront to Sai Kung Pier (opposite Tung Kee Seafood Restaurant) and take the privately-owned boat to Kau Sai Chau.作者: twintwin 時間: 2010-1-8 21:49
