After passing the Tai O Rural Committee and the narrow Kat Hing Back Street, you will find the picturesque Hau Wong Temple at the end of a small causeway.  Hau Wong Temple is the most popular one in the village.  It was first built in 1699 to commemorate a man called Yang, who protected the last Sung emperor called Ping when he was hiding in Hong Kong from the marauding Mongols.  Inside the temple, the revered figure of Hau Wong stands behind a long altar of flowers and offering.  To the left of the main hall is a shrine to the Earth God and to the right are fossils of sharks’ bones and a whale’s head, discovered by local fishermen.  Its position overlooks Po Chue Tam, or Pearl Bay, and has excellent fung shui.  Geomancy (fung shui) is the ancient science of understanding the earth’s spirit and the regulation of human life in accordance with it, and the two Chinese characters that make up the term fung shui literally mean “wind & water”.  It is believed that the positioning of objects in harmony with nature will bring good fortune.  The birthday of Hau Wong is on the sixth day of the sixth moon.  To celebrate the occasion, there are theatrical performances lasting for four days.

 

Bus No. 1 will take you back to Mui Wo.

Bus No. 21 between Ngong Ping and Tai O are available

Bus No. 11 between Tung Chung Town centre and Tai O are available

Lunar New Year 2013

Hong Kong’s Little Venice – Tai O

 

A closer look at the stilt-house community.

 

 

In Tai O market street, there is a general odour of salt fish and shrimp paste. 

Choi San (財神爺), the God of Wealth, is on the right of Kwan Tai temple.  The busiest time here is Chinese New Year when people come to burn joss sticks and to pray for wealth and good fortune in the coming year.

2013年__新年快樂

各位親愛的朋友：

祝你們新年快樂！

Ｍary 姐

Dear,

Wishing you all the best of the Year of Snake!

Mary.