Tai Wong Yeh Temple (Tai Po) - A former fishermen's settlement. A temple that brings safe and peace.

In the past, Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories, was a small island in the northwest of Tolo Harbour, surrounded by the sea. It was a place for local fishermen to moor their fishing boats. The temple that HongKongFootprint.com will introduce this time is the Tai Wong Yeh Temple, which is closely related to this small island.

In the past, the fishermen who lived in Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories, were mainly from Hailufeng, that is, Hokkien. Later, due to some reasons, some Hailufeng people came to Tai Po to live in Yuen Chau Tsai and make a living by fishing.

As for the Tai Wong Yeh Temple in Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories, the "Tai Wong Yeh" enshrined was actually a stone tablet erected in the north of Yuen Chau Tsai. It was built in the past to pray for safe. The local fishermen thought it was very effective. They often come here to pay homage. Until the Qing Dynasty, the Hailufeng people who lived in this area initiated fundraising, and moved the stone tablet to build a temple at the current site.

Since the 1930s, local residents have come to this temple to celebrate the birthday of Tai Wong Yeh every year (that is, the sixth day of the fifth lunar month). A small stage will be built outside the temple to celebrate, which lasts about ten days. In addition to Cantonese opera performances, there will also be celebrations such as dance parades and martial arts performances. The scene is very lively, but also full of strong Hailufeng style.

An interesting feature of the Tai Wong Yeh Temple in Hong Kong is that most of the "Tai Wong Yeh" enshrined in the temple are derived from local historical stories or folklore. In the Tai Wong Yeh Temples in different places, there are "Tai Wong Yeh" with different backgrounds. The Tai Wong Yeh Temple located in Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories, is based on the beliefs of local fishermen. They were convinced that the deity in the stone tablet was the "Tai Wong Yeh", a patron saint who could bless safe.

If you want to take a look here, it is recommended to take the MTR to Tai Po Market Station, and then leave at Exit B. Afterwards, walk along Nam Wan Road to Tai Po Road Yuen Chau Tsai, and then follow the Tai Po Road Yuen Chau Tsai all the way to Island House Lane, and you will see this temple.

Location: Tai Wong Yeh Temple (Tai Po)
Address: Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories



Credit: Hong Kong Footprint (HongKongFootprint.com)

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