Zhan Shu Tan Xie Tian Gong

Zhan Shu Tan Xie Tian Gong

Zhan Shu Tan Xie Tian Gong is located in Zhan Shu Tan Village, a Hakka ancestral village in Pak Shek Kok, Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong. It was established by the founding ancestor of the Wan clan, but the exact date of construction is unknown. Serving as a communal building for all clans in Zhan Shu Tan Village, Xie Tian Gong functioned as the highest authority for the entire village—including the now independent Tai Po Mei Village—before the establishment of a village office. It is now a Grade III historic building in Hong Kong.

Initially a small temple, Xie Tian Gong was expanded in the 24th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1898) due to flourishing worship, with the event commemorated by an inscribed stone. It underwent renovations again in the 3rd year of the Xuantong reign (1911) and in 1997. Legend has it that the temple was designed to face Ma On Shan for feng shui reasons. In addition to Guan Yu (Guangong), the deities enshrined here include Guan Ping (Guan Yu’s son), Zhou Cang (Guan Yu’s general), Tai Sui Ye (the God of the Year), and Fu De Gong (the God of Wealth).

Originally, the temple housed four wooden plaques inscribed with couplets. One read: “Righteousness in the Peach Garden—three brothers, three visits, their diligence etched in history; loyalty to the Han—unified in purpose, their achievements shine through the ages.” Another: “Attacking Wu and Wei to restore Liu—loyalty blazing brighter than the sun and moon; ennobled as kings and emperors—their great virtue matches heaven and earth.” The third: “Loyal hearts and brave souls—the dragon and tiger follow brotherly bonds; a lone saber and horse—revered by all, past and present.” The fourth: “The peerless man of eternal righteousness; the greatest loyalist through the ages.” However, all four wooden couplets were burned during the Japanese occupation.

Before the war, to show reverence to Guan Yu, villagers from both Zhan Shu Tan and Tai Po Mei villages—representing five surnames—held Cantonese opera performances for four days and five nights every 13th day of the fifth lunar month, Guan Yu’s birthday, to thank the deity and pray for prosperity in the coming year. On the first day, Guan Yu’s statue was carried to a shrine in front of the opera stage, and thirteen gongs were struck in reverence.

Next to the temple is the now-defunct Shu Ren School, a rural elementary school established in 1938, which initially used Xie Tian Gong as its classroom.

Transportation Guide

Location: Zhan Shu Tan Village, Tai Po District, Hong Kong

How to get there: Take KMB bus routes 72A, 72, 73A, 74A, 872, or New Territories minibuses route 28K.