Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay

The Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay, sometimes referred to as Tai Miu[1], is Hong Kong's oldest and largest Tin Hau Temple.[2] It is also said to be the most popular Tin Hau temple both for fishermen and for others in Hong Kong.[1]

Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay
佛堂門天后古廟
Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay
Religion
AffiliationChinese folk religion
RegionFat Tong Mun, Joss House Bay
DeityTin Hau
FestivalTin Hau's birthday
Governing bodyChinese Temples Committee
Location
CountryHong Kong
Architecture
FounderLam Tao-yi (林道義)
Completed1266
Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay
Traditional Chinese佛堂門天后古廟
Literal meaningFat Tong Mun Tin Hau Old Temple
Alternative name
Traditional Chinese大廟灣天后廟
Literal meaningJoss House Bay Tin Hau Temple
Tai Miu
Traditional Chinese大廟
Literal meaningGreat Temple
Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay
Distant view of Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay
Joss House Bay Public Pier, next to the temple

Location

The sea-facing temple is located at Fat Tong Mun (佛堂門), on the shore of Joss House Bay,[3] near the south end of Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Joss House Bay derives its name from the temple, or joss house. The Chinese name of Joss House Bay, Tai Miu Wan (大廟灣), literally means "the bay of the large temple".

History

The temple is said to have been built in 1266 by Lam Tao-yi (林道義).[1] There is a rock nearby, that was carved in 1274. It bears the oldest dated inscription known in Hong Kong.[4]

Tin Hau Festival and events

Once a year, on Tin Hau's birthday, the 23rd of the third moon on the Chinese calendar, upwards of 40,000 to 50,000 people attend celebrations at the temple.[5] Thousands of people hike their way, via the High Junk Peak Hiking Trail, to the Temple to pay their respects. Thousands of others sail into Joss House Bay in hundreds of vessels.[6]

The police have the launching ceremony of their new cruisers held at the temple.[1]

Conservation

The temple was managed by the Lam clan until 1939.[1] Since them, it has been managed by the Chinese Temples Committee.[1] It is a Grade I historic building.[7]

Access

The temple is accessible via the High Junk Peak Hiking Trail.[8] A shorter walk combined with public transportation is possible from the Clear Water Bay Country Club.[9]

A ferry service to Joss House Bay is available annually from North Point Ferry Pier on the day of Tin Hau's birthday.[9][10] Joss House Bay Public Pier is located just in front of the temple.[11]

Outside the Tin Hau Birthday Celebration, a regular green minibus (Route 16) operates between MTR Po Lam Station Public Transport Interchange and Po Toi O. Visitors should alight at the Tai Miu Wan stop (near the entrance to Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club) and walk for about 10 minutes down a flight of stairs to Joss House Bay, passing the rock inscription on the way down. [12]

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References
  1. Information on Proposed Grade I Items. Item #70 Archived 2012-10-13 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Chinese Temples Committee - Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay
  3. bc Magazine "Borne Of The Water"
  4. Declared Monuments in Hong Kong: Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay
  5. Birthday of Tin Hau: Unique Experiences
  6. bc Magazine "Heavenly Queen"
  7. List of Graded Historic Buildings in Hong Kong (as at 6 November 2009) Archived 9 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Sai Kung Magazine "Respects to Tin Hau"
  9. Birthday of Tin Hau: Highlights
  10. Tin Hau Birthday Celebrations at Joss House Bay
  11. Film Services Offices: Joss House Bay Public Pier
  12. Transport Department website: Green Minibus Route 16

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