It was a bright and sunny day in Hong Kong. After a good breakfast of pastries and good coffee, we were fully energized. Before arriving here, we wondered what are the Things To Do in Hong Kong? After a bit of research, we found out that there is a famous attraction called Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple.
It took switching train lines and some stops to reach there. About half an hour from our hotel, walking included. We were really excited. It was said that Wong Tai Sin grants every wish. We intend to each make a wish. Join us for this little trip to this awesome place.
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
Summary
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the most famous and popular temples in Hong Kong that you must visit.
About Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
The temple is named after a famous monk called Wong Tai Sin. His full name is Huang Chu-ping. He was born in the 4th century. After years of practice, he became a deity at Red Pine Hill, known as Heng Shan in Chinese.
There was a sacred portrait of him that was transported from Guangdong to Hong Kong. Eventually, the portrait was relocated to where the temple is today. Now, devotees arrive from all over the world to pay respects to Wong Tai Sin. At the same time, they submit offerings and pray for good fortune. They also receive divine guidance using Kau Cheem (explained further down this blog post).
Inside Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
We arrived early in the morning, and the place was already filled with lots of people. There were many who came in tour groups. When in such a large crowd, it was not easy to take a photo of the sights without a stranger posing in them.
Travel Tip: Arrive earlier when tour groups have not arrived yet. Or later when they have all gone.
It was also not easy to take photos of only me or with my friends plus the scenery there. There was always people posing here and there.
Travel Tip: Quickly jump in at to take photos of you against the scenery when you see people vacate the spot. Or when you wish to take a photo of any scenery. Don’t wait.
It took me a while. I waited for some time. Tourists from the tour groups kept appearing to pose with the above Guardian Deity. Finally, when there was a brief moment free from people invading the space, I quickly snapped a photo of the Guardian Deity. Impressive figure, isn’t he?
After climbing up the steps, we arrived at the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple itself. It is so beautiful and ornate. I loved the intricate paintings on the walls. They were like golden lined clouds. Perhaps a symbolism of a heavenly place?
Look at the rooftop. It is so well designed. The large lanterns with gold trimmings gently swayed. They created a sense of grandeur. Plus the pillars and boards with gold Chinese words, all add to a very fine structure.
When you step back a little, you could see devotees praying and placing incense into long rectangular incense holders. Here is where you can pay your respects and make a wish. It is said that all you have to do is hold the incense in your hands, lift it up to the front of your face or slightly above your head, face Wong Tai Sin, and then make your wish.
Some devotees, while there, would seek guidance on their fortune. They did it using Fortune Sticks in a method called ‘Kau Cheem’.
Seek Your Fortune with Kau Cheem
Divine Guidance at Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is done by first doing Kau Cheem. Kau Cheem is available at every temple with Fortune Sticks and Moon Blocks, as shown below. But at Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, they only provide the container of Fortune Sticks. Find a counter that offers this container, and get one.
How to Do Kau Cheem?
After you collected the Fortune Sticks, go to the area where you see many people kneeling on red cushions and shaking the container of Fortune Sticks, as shown in image below.
Choose one of the red cushions and kneel on it. Then, while facing Wong Tai Sin, hold the container of Fortune Sticks with both hands and shake it. While shaking the container, ask your question or say your wish. You can do it silently, in a whisper or out loud. Hold the thought of your question or wish as you shake the container.
Remember to tilt the container slightly forward with the mouth of the container slightly facing Wong Tai Sin. This is to allow the chance for one of the sticks to fall out. But you don’t want to tilt too much or shake too much. This may cause many sticks to fall out. You only need one.
How to Know If The Fortune Stick Is the One For You?
At some point of time, one of the sticks would fall out. At other temples, there is the use of Moon Blocks to help decide if this is the Fortune Stick for you. But here, as mentioned earlier, there are not Moon Blocks given. Not to be concerned. Just know that the stick that fell out is the correct one for you. It is the one that answers your question or wish.
If more than one stick fell out, then replace them into the container and try again. Note that there should only be one.
When you finally get the Fortune Stick that answers your question or wish, take note of the number of that Fortune Stick. Yes, there is a unique number for every stick. Replace it into the container and return the Fortune Sticks and container to the counter.
How to Interpret Your Fortune Stick?
Like everyone, we did Kau Cheem when we were there. And like everyone, we wondered what the Fortune Stick said, what message did Wong Tai Sin have for us?
At other temples, they would give interpretation slips for each of the Fortune Sticks. And they would give it for Free. But at Wong Tai Sin Temple, this was not done. There was an area where there were rows of fortune tellers who offered to interpret the Fortune Stick at a fee.
We were not keen to do that for many reasons. Firstly, the fortune tellers were always trying to get people to buy a full reading, which included reading one’s future. Secondly, we suspected that they would say we would need to buy some talisman or some feng shui item. Nothing wrong with all that. After all, they were making a decent living.
It was just that we are people savvy with the Internet. And we know that there is a FREE online interpretation of Fortune Sticks from Wong Tai Sin Temple. And here, I share with you the same Free service.
First step – Go to Wong Tai Sin Temple website – Click Here. You will land on their home page as shown below.
Next, click on Fortune Telling Stick Enquiry option, indicated above in red box and pointed by red arrow. You will then be brought to the enquiry page as shown below.
On this page, click on the Fortune Telling Stick Enquiry button. You will then see this next page, shown below.
Remember the number on the Fortune Stick that you drawn during the Kau Cheem? Enter that number into the box (where the red arrow is pointing), and click the search button (that is the magnifying glass next to the box).
The system will then search for the Interpretation and display it to you. Here is an example of the interpretation for Fortune Stick 11, also called Lot 11.
Now you have your Free online interpretation of the Fortune Stick you received at Wong Tai Sin Temple. Great huh?
On The Grounds of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
After the Kau Cheem, my friends and I walked the grounds a bit. It is not large. But there were some cute little statues that I would like to share with you.
The above is a statue of a Kirin or Qilin. It is a mythical creature that is believed to bring good luck.
The above is a statue of a Chinese version of a lion. Lions are believed to be guardians. This particular one is holding an ancient Chinese coin with the Chinese words – 招财进宝 (zhao cai jin bao). The meaning of the words is to usher in wealth and prosperity.
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple – Asia Travel Gems Final Word
Asia Travel Gems Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
This is because many locals still frequent this temple. You can truly soak in the energies of their devotion. Feel the power of belief in the locals for this deity. And in doing so, you too can believe and make a wish or ask for guidance.
Where Is Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple?
This place is in Kowloon. So, if you are staying in Kowloon, it will be near for you. But not to worry. Even if you are staying on Hong Kong island side, you can still take the MTR to here. See the map below.
Operating Hours
7am to 5pm, Daily including Public Holidays
Address
2, Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2327 8141
How to Get to Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple?
MTR
Take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin MTR station. Take the Exit B2. The temple is next to the station, about 3 minutes walk from the station.
Bus
It is easier to take the MTR. Leave the bus for other activities.
Taxi
It can be easy to catch a cab in Hong Kong. Just hail them along the streets. Drivers are required to go by taximeter. Always ask for a machine-printed receipt. If unavailable, ask for a hand-written one.
We have come to the end of this article. I hope you enjoyed reading this.
If you have ANY questions about this post – What To See in Hong Kong – Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, or Hong Kong, ANY at all, please submit your questions as comments below. I will be happy to help you out.
Wishing you and your loved ones safe and happy travels.
Timotheus
Hey everyone, I am Timotheus. When I am not giving lectures, I love traveling and visiting cities and towns all over Asia. It is a thrill for me to find and share awesome places to see, great tasting food to eat, and restful rooms to get a good night’s sleep.
I am always coming back to your website for your breath taking photographs and awesome information on Asia, you are going to cost me a great deal of money after I retire. The urge to visit Asian is becoming stronger and stronger with everyone of your posts I read.
Jeff
Thanks for your kind praise Jeff. 🙂
Very happy you like the photos and videos, as well as the info.
Many people like the photos I took. I am thinking of creating a new website just to feature the photos. Or maybe I should dedicate an entire section to the photos here on Asia Travel Gems? What is your view on this?
And very happy you are considering to visit Asia. Please do visit. When you visit Singapore, let’s meet up. I can show you around. And please support Asia Travel Gems by booking your hotel rooms with Agoda, Click Here.
This is such an exciting post and love the way you detailed Kau Cheem, to make a wish at the temple. As a person traveling to Hong Kong I am sure I would be totally lost in the custom. Do they give directions there at the temple of how to perform the Tau Cheem or do they expect you to know what you are doing. I am also curious do you only get so many tries to have your wish granted as I am sure I would have issues with the sticks falling out multiple times and would not want to miss out on my wish.
Thanks Dena! Glad you like this post and found it exciting. 🙂
You are right. As I wrote this post, I began to realize that people unfamiliar with the custom will not know how to do Kau Cheem. Hence, the detailed description.
There are no directions given at the temple. Everyone is expected to know what to do. So please come back here to read the instructions again before visiting Wong Tai Sin Temple.
For every wish or question, when one stick falls out of the container, that is the answer. No need to shake the container again for another answer. I have witnessed people who did that and surprisingly the same stick fell out three times! haha
You can ask as many questions as you like. After each question, take note of the stick number, then replace it into the container before asking the next question or making the next wish.
If you have any further question, please feel free to ask me. 🙂
Thanks for your reply, I did not realize I could have multiple wishes or questions, that is even better. I think it is interesting that you have witnessed people trying to get a different stick and the same one falls out. I will definitely come back here before visiting to refresh my memory of how to do Kau Cheem.
Glad to hear that, Dena. 🙂
Please do come back to Asia Travel Gems for more info before visiting this awesome region.
And when you do, please do book your rooms and flights via Agoda. You can get up to 70% discounts. Just Click Here to claim the offers.
Hi, I really enjoyed your interesting and informative post, and will definitely put this temple on my bucket list for when I visit Hong Kong, Alan
Thanks Alan! Glad you liked this post and it has interest you to add to your bucket list.
When you visit Hong Kong and Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, please do come back here to share your experience.
And when you do visit Asia, please support Asia Travel Gems and book your hotel rooms with Agoda, Click Here.
Hi Timotheus
I’m glad to be back on your website. This is another interesting post that I had to read. I got many useful informations and new knowledge the new place you just introduced. The temple and its history was interesting. I hope I can visit Hong Kong soon and Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple will be in my list.
Thank you so much for your wonderful description. Have a great weekend.
Ratana
Thanks for coming back, Ratana. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed this article, and found it useful and interesting.
Yes, Sik Sik Wong Tai Sin Temple and Hong Kong is definitely worth a visit. I hope you go there soon. And when you do, come back and share your experiences.
Also, please support us and book a hotel room from Agoda – Click Here. You won’t regret it. They have discounts up to 70% off!
Great ..
I am from India and
i really love your blog ..
Very nice
Hi Juna! Wow! India! Fantastic that Asia Travel Gems is now seen there. 🙂
Thanks for loving my blog. Please do subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest updates. 🙂
And support us by booking rooms and flights at Agoda – You can get up to 70% discount when you Click Here.
I have learned a ton of information from reading your post. Hong Kong is such a beautiful place and the temple is breathtaking! I have never heard of Kau Cheem and did not know that people could make a wish and see if their wish came true. How interesting! Do they let people sit there as long as they want to make wishes or ask questions? You mentioned there were a lot of visitors, so just wondered if it is hard to find a spot to sit. Hong Kong and the temple have such an amazing history and culture. I want to visit and hopefully one of these days I will! Thanks for such helpful information!
Glad you learned a lot, Brenda. And enjoyed my post. 🙂
Hong Kong is truly wondrous. I love visiting this awesome and exciting city. I have plans to visit again soon. And glad to hear you plan to visit too. Do book via Agoda. You can get up to 70% discount on rooms and flight! Just Click Here to claim the offers.
As for Kau Cheem, you can stay as long as you like and make as many wishes as you like. It was quite easy to find a spot. Most people will take only a few minutes. And if you wait around, soon enough, you will get a spot. Happy Wishing! 🙂
Hi Tim,
Congratulations on another impressive post about visiting Asia. The information packed with amazing photographs gives the reader the exciting feeling and flavor of the place. It occurred to me as I was reading your post that the passion and knowledge that you show for Asian travel and food and your skill with photography may later on enable you to write a book or perhaps start your own tourist company—if you wished.
Or maybe you’re just happy educating people on Asian travel, food, and culture, through your websites. That works well also. Again, congrats on a very educational and entertaining post.
Hi Thabo,
Thanks for the great praise! Very happy that you find the photographs amazing. I do my best to take good photos. I believe a travel site should have that.
Great idea on writing a book. I may do that in the future. For now, I am happy sharing about different Asian places, food, hotels, etc.
Once again, thank you very much! 🙂
Hi Timotheus,
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. What a beautiful place it is. My daughter and son-in-law have traveled to Asia and visited Hong Kong. I will have to ask them if they have also visited this temple.
I hope to travel there someday. It’s an amazing place!
Cheers,
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
You’re welcome. I am happy you are here and are enjoying the posts.
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple truly is a beautiful place. You will need to spend at least an hour here. I too hope you visit here soon. And after you do, please do drop by and share your experience with me.
Oh, and do update me if your daughter and son-in-law have visited this place before?
Wishing you safe and fun journeys,
Timotheus
Hello Timotheus,
This temple is very impressive. You are so right, the rooftop and the ornaments are very well designed, indeed, pure perfection. You describe the temple and the Kau Cheem ritual so wonderful that it is a great pleasure to read. It makes me want to go visiting Hong Kong someday soon.
The travel tips you have shared are of great value!
Sounds exciting to do Kau Cheem. May the fortune be with you.
Pernilla
Hi Pernilla,
This is one of the most famous temple in Hong Kong. And you must visit when you are in Hong Kong. Glad you liked the design and beauty of it.
And thank you. I am very happy you enjoyed reading about the temple and Kau Cheem.
I do hope you visit Hong Kong some day soon. And get to visit Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. Please do book your rooms and flights via Agoda. You can get up to 70% discount when you Click Here.
May good fortune, wealth, good health and happiness be with you and your loved ones. 🙂
Hi Timotheus,
While I was reading your text, I had the feeling I had a personal tour guide around me, uncovering all the secrets of the Temple! So practical and live explanation, full of tips and step-by-step approach to the most important rituals and sights!
Thank you very much for the travel and accommodation information, as well!
You’re welcome, Tony. You gave a very accurate view of the article and how it is written to help people experience the place from just reading this. Thank you! Very happy that you enjoyed it all.
Hong Kong is on my pinned map of places I need to visit at least once in my lifetime! the sik sik yuen wong tai sin temple has been added to my itinerary. I have to try those fortune sticks! I do not put much stock in the fortune telling because I believe we control our own destiny. But I love astrology, tarot and etc. I would DO this for sure. I love that you put the link to get interpretations for free. I prefer that vs a sit down with a fortune teller.
Many years ago I had a friend gift me a lion statue holding a coin similar to the one in your image. It is a miniature version. I did not know much about it. They told me to always have it facing my front door. Do you know the significance of that?
Thank you. Someday very soon all your great travel tips are going to result in some epic vacation visits for me and my husband!
Hi Christina! Glad to hear Hong Kong is one of the places you will definitely visit. You will love the city! It is awesome!
The Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is definitely one of the places you must see and experience. Yes, I too do not place too much on the fortune sticks. I do believe in them. I see them as good to get heavenly advice. And you are right, ultimately it is up to us to get what we want.
The lion is a guardian. Placing it at the front door wards off bad energies. Hope this helps?
When you visit Asia, do drop by again and get more tips. 🙂
Hello Tim. During my childhood, I used to follow my grandmother to the temple and the visit will always end with Kau Cheem. As she is illiterate, the most logical thing to do is head straight to the interpreter.
It is definitely good to know that now, we can do so online! Explained in English!
Thanks for your sharing. This place will be on my must go list when I visit Hong Kong in the near future.
Hi Sharon. Thanks for sharing the lovely story about your grandmother and you. I can just imagine you as a little girl helping your grandmother. So sweet!
And happy to help by sharing with you a resource to interpret the Cheem in English. 🙂
I just returned from Hong Kong. It is definitely such an awesome place to visit. I just wrote about the Hong Kong Airport Express. Have you tried it before? It is so convenient, comfortable, and the quickest way to the city.
Do watch out for more blog posts about my recent visit to Hong Kong. 🙂