Cheung Shan Ancient Temple

Cheung Shan Ancient Temple

Cheung Shan Ancient Temple is a temple in Hong Kong, located in Ping Shek, Fanling, New Territories. The existing structure was built in the seventh year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1868) and has been a declared monument of Hong Kong since 1998. The temple was originally constructed in the fifty-fourth year of the Qianlong reign (1789) by villages in the Ta Kwu Ling area. It was initially named Changsheng An and was dedicated to the worship of Buddha, Guanyin, and Ksitigarbha. The mountain path in front of the temple was once the main route to and from Sha Tau Kok, so Cheung Shan Ancient Temple also served as a resting place for travelers, offering tea and refreshments.

Though not large in scale, Cheung Shan Ancient Temple is serene and elegant, exemplifying the typical residential architectural style of Guangdong Province during the Qing Dynasty. It is divided into a front and rear section, with the front section being about one meter higher than the rear. The central hall is the main shrine, flanked by side halls. It is said that travelers used to stay in the side halls, which could accommodate over thirty people at their busiest. The temple houses many historical artifacts, including a bronze bell cast in the fifty-fourth year of the Qianlong reign (1798), inscribed with the characters “Changsheng An.” On the wall there is also an ancient wooden plaque from the seventh year of the Tongzhi reign (1868), inscribed with “Cheung Shan Ancient Temple.” Its ritual implements and Buddhist altar are all remarkably rustic. Every year on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, during the Ghost Festival (Ullambana), the temple invites monks to conduct ceremonies, prepare vegetarian feasts, and attract worshippers from nearby villages and even some from the urban areas, gathering to chant scriptures and pay homage to the Buddha — creating a lively atmosphere.

Over time, Cheung Shan Ancient Temple fell into disrepair. However, as it was listed under the management of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, special funding was allocated for its restoration and maintenance, which began in early 1998 and was completed by the end of the year. The temple was rededicated on January 4, 1999. Today, Cheung Shan Ancient Temple retains its traditional charm while both its interior and exterior have been thoroughly renovated.

Cheung Shan Monastery

Why you must visit: One of Hong Kong’s most renowned ancient temples