Man Mo Temple, Wenwu Temple in Central District, Hong Kong
Man Mo Temple is a declared monument and Wenwu Temple in Central District, part of Central and Western District in Hong Kong, known for its traditional southern Chinese woodwork and entrance flanked by stone lions. The main hall houses two large gilded statues where visitors can place incense sticks and red prayer cards.
Chinese merchants built the temple between 1847 and 1862, during a period when colonial authorities provided little religious infrastructure for the growing Chinese community. Management passed to Tung Wah Hospital in 1908, which has overseen the site ever since.
Worshippers leave coiled incense hanging from the ceiling beams, creating a forest of slowly burning spirals that can take weeks to fully smolder. People still come to pray before exams or important business decisions, continuing a practice that links scholarship with protection.
The temple opens daily between 8 AM and 6 PM, with doors opening an hour earlier on select lunar calendar days. Visitors should move quietly and may use free incense available near the entrance.
Until the early 20th century, residents swore binding oaths here by beheading roosters in front of the deity statues, a practice recognized by colonial authorities as legally valid. The temple thus served as an informal courthouse for disputes within the Chinese community.
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