Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, built in 1921, is a popular temple with a large incense offering. It primarily worships Huang Chuping, a Taoist immortal from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who is said to grant all requests. It also enshrines Confucian and Buddhist deities such as Confucius and Guanyin, creating a unique blend of the three religions.
Besides the main hall, the Great Buddha Hall, the temple also features a small garden, the Three Saints Hall, and the Heart Garden. The architecture is magnificent and resplendent. The Nine-Dragon Wall inside is modeled after the Nine-Dragon Wall in the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, people flock to the temple to be the first to offer incense, offering five main items: incense, candles, flowers, paper lanterns, water, and fruit. At the temple entrance, there are many stalls selling incense, candles, and fruit. When offering incense, both hands are clasped together, with the left hand holding the incense stick, signifying respect for the deity. One or three sticks of incense are considered auspicious. Visitors generally begin their worship at the Wong Tai Sin Main Hall; the other halls are much less popular.
Visitors can also take a fortune stick container next to the main hall. It contains 100 bamboo sticks. For each question, shake the container until one of the bamboo sticks falls out. The scripture on the fortune stick is the answer from the deity.
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Show More ReviewsThe entire hotel feels like a residence straight out of an ancient scholar's painting. The winding paths paved with bluestone lead forward, the eaves curve gently, and even the moss in the corners has a subtle, ink-like quality. Every brick and tile exudes understated elegance; there are no superfluous embellishments, yet every turn reveals a delightful little scene. Opening the window, one is greeted by a gentle breeze carrying the scent of bamboo, and moonlight streams in through the windowpanes, casting a thin, silvery veil on the table. Strolling slowly along the corridor, one hears only the sounds of the wind and leaves, completely escaping the hustle and bustle of the world, as if transported to a secluded paradise. At night, one falls asleep to the faint scent of ink, even dreams enveloped in the delicate fragrance of grass and trees. After a few days here, one feels that life has been peaceful and comfortable.