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With the full support of the Tang clan in Lung Yeuk Tau and the villagers on Kau Sai Chau (Island), the Tin Hau Temple in Lung Yeuk Tau and the Hung Shing Temple on Kau Sai Chau (Island) are both gazetted as historical buildings under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Chapter 53) today (November 15).

Situated between the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall and Lo Wai at Lung Yeuk Tau, the Tin Hau Temple is the main temple in the Lung Yeuk Tau area in Fanling. According to the village elders, the temple was even constructed earlier than Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, which was probably built in the early 16th century.

Legend has it that Tin Hau, the original name being Lin Mo, was born in Pu Tian, Fujian province in the Song dynasty (960-1279). Skilled in astronomy and climatology, she rescued many people from the sea. After her death, temples were erected far and wide in her memory. She was also conferred various official titles by successive emperors. Tin Hau is believed to be the guardian of those who are connected with the sea and is especially popular in the coastal provinces of Guangdong and Fujian.

The Tin Hau Temple in Lung Yeuk Tau is a traditional two-hall building with a courtyard in between. The facade of the temple is exquisitely decorated with plaster mouldings and murals of auspicious motifs. The main hall of the temple is devoted to the worship of Tin Hau and her guards, Chin Lei Ngan, who is believed to possess eyes that can see things a thousand miles away, and Shun Fung Yi, whose ears can hear sounds as far away as from heaven.

The oldest relics surviving in the temple are two bronze bells which are kept in the east chamber of the rear hall. One of the bells was cast in 1695 as a gift from the Tang clan to thank Tin Hau after having their sons adopted to her. The other bell was cast in 1700 as an offering to Tin Hau so that the young men of the clan could be blessed during their journey to the city for taking the provincial examinations.

The Hung Shing Temple on Kau Sai Chau (Island), another historical building gazetted today, is a typical example of a small rural temple. According to local legends and the stone tablet at the temple, the building was probably built before 1889 by the Kau Sai villagers.

Kau Sai Village, which is located at the southern part of Kau Sai Chau (Island), is a small fishing hamlet with about ten houses. The early dwellers were mainly Hakka people. Since the livelihood of the local residents relied mainly on fishing, Hung Shing Temple was originally constructed as a result of their donations. In the temple, they could worship Hung Shing and beseech his blessings. According to legend, the original name of Hung Shing was Hung Hei, the Governor of Kwong Lee in the Tang dynasty (618-907). Hung Hei was a virtuous person and a government official of high moral integrity. During his tenure in office, he encouraged the study of astronomy and geography, and his accurate weather forecasting proved to be of great value to traders and fishermen. After his death, the reigning emperor bestowed upon him the posthumous titles of "Hung Shing", "Chiu Shun" and "Wai Hin". Hung Shing has become very popular in southern China, particularly among fishermen and seafarers.

The Hung Shing Temple is a two-hall, three-bay structure with a "dong-chung" door in the front hall. The temple is built of green bricks with a stone lintel with the Chinese name of the temple and a couplet carved in granite at the main entrance. Altars are placed in the main hall where Hung Shing, Choi Pak Shing Kwan and Shui Sin Yeuh are worshipped. The main hall displays drums, a bronze temple bell, a cloud "gong", four timber guardian figures, an offering table, furniture and carvings, all of which are of the late Qing period (1644-1911). A model of a dragon boat and various seafaring items are also kept in the temple.

It was used as a school in the 1950s. The right-hand side chamber of the front hall was then used as a classroom while the left-hand side chamber was used as quarters for the temple keeper. Being a district temple of Kau Sai Chau (Island), it has long been a place to pray for the safety of fishermen and to hold social functions for strengthening the coherence of the community. Besides, large scale celebrations are held by the locals on the birthday of Hung Shing every year.

Renovations of the temple were carried out in 1949, the 1970s and 1985, with modern additions to the original design. The latest restoration, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, managed and supervised by the Antiquities and Monuments Office, took place in November 1999 and completed in March 2000 to revert the building to its original design. With the full support and active participation of the villagers, the restoration project won the "Outstanding Project" of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Awards.

Visitors are welcome to these two historical buildings. The opening hours of the Tin Hau Temple is from 9 am to 5 pm daily whereas the Hung Shing Temple from 6 am to 6 pm daily.

End/Friday, November 15, 2002

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