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.