Chinese Temples Committee

Directly Administered Temples

Tam Kung Temple, Shau Kei Wan

This temple was built in 1905 and is the oldest Tam Kung Temple in Hong Kong. It is now listed by Antiquities Advisory Committee a Grade I historical building for permanent preservation (i.e. building of outstanding merit of which every effort should be made to preserve if possible). The present temple was reconstructed by the Chinese Temples Committee in 2002, with the original design preserved.

Origin of the Temple

Shau Kei Wan was once a bay for berthing fishing boats. As Tam Kung symbolizes the God of Safety at Sea, fishermen built a temple here to worship him and placed a small scale wooden junk and a dragon boat in the temple.

Tam Kung - Sea God Lord Tam (譚公)

Tam Kung was originally a native of Huizhou (惠州) in Guangdong Province (廣東省) during Yuan Dynasty. When he was 12 years old, he already possessed supernatural powers to command the wind and rain, and cure the sick. His ability to forecast the weather made him a popular deity among the fishermen. Tam Kung is portrayed as being young and having a fresh face.

Architectural Setting

The temple has a good Fung Shui orientation. It faces the sea with its back against the hill. It is situated in the front part of a dragon, the pulse of which (the geomantic vitality) reaches across the water to Kowloon.

Historical & Cultural Relics

It was said that the boulder in front of the temple is the seal of Tam Kung. It was laid there over 90 years ago. An iron bell, an altar and a stone tablet that date back to the Qing Dynasty are also kept in the temple.

Other Deities

Apart from the main deity of Tam Kung, the temple also houses Kwan Tai (God of War), Man Cheong (God of Literature), Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy), Tin Hau (Goddess of Sea), Wong Tai Sin (God of Medicine), Wah Kwong (God of Fire), Lung Mo (Dragon Mother), Ng Tung Gods (Gods of Five Lucks) and Lady Golden Flower (Patron of Pregnant Women).

Tam Kung Festival

Tam Kung Festival falls on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month. Theatrical performances were held in the past but are replaced by procession nowadays.

Renovations

The old temple had undergone major renovations in 1908, 1944 and 1954. In 2002, the Chinese Temples Committee reconstructed the present temple with the original design preserved.

Opening Hours

8:00am to 5:00pm daily

Public Transport

MTR - Shau Kei Wan Exit D1 - follow Tung Hei Road and walk for about five minutes to Tam Kung Temple Road

Tam Kung Temple Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong

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