Aoqian Tin Hau Ancient Temple

Aoqian Tin Hau Ancient Temple

Aoqian Tin Hau Ancient Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Aoqian Tin Hau Ancient Temple was built during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era and renovated in the 59th year of the Qianlong reign. It is the earliest Tin Hau Temple in Nan'ao County after the Shenzhen Ao Tin Hau Palace. The structure features a connected-ridge flush-gable roof with exquisite wood carvings. The dougong brackets are often crafted in floral patterns or shaped like lions, crabs, and other designs. The roof ridges are decorated with ceramic inlays depicting two mullet fish spitting out plants, with fish-shaped dragon heads and coiled tails. The decorative themes and styles reflect distinct local characteristics, a subtle product of integration with maritime culture. The temple also houses the first fishing raft stele in Nan'ao — the Imperial Edict Stele of the Two Courts of the Ming Dynasty Detailing the Prohibition of Fishing Rafts in Nan'ao.