Seven Saints Ancient Temple

Seven Saints Ancient Temple

Seven Saints Ancient Temple, also known as Seven Saints Palace Ancient Temple and commonly referred to as Seven Saints Temple, is located in Guankeng, Shisixiang, Sai Kung North, Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong. Built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the temple was jointly constructed by the villages of Shisixiang forming the “Dongping She,” “Xiping She,” “Nanqing She,” and “Beiqing She.” Each society took turns managing the temple for one year.

Seven Saints Ancient Temple is a traditional three-bay, two-courtyard style temple building. Inside the temple hangs a bronze bell cast in the 27th year of the Qianlong reign (1762). The couplet on the outer hall reads: “The Seven Sisters’ kindness reflects compassion; the divine benevolence governs yin and yang,” and the tall signboard in front of the shrine inscribed with “Keep Clean” was erected in the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign (1908), along with plaques and couplets restored during the Guangxu and Republican periods. In front of the temple stands a feng shui wall, beyond which lies a plaza that was often used as a filming location for wuxia movies during the height of their popularity, earning it the nickname “Martial Arts Paradise.”

Originally, an opera performance was held at the temple every year to pay tribute to the deities, but this practice ceased in the 1970s when many local men went abroad to work. After renovation in 1998, local residents resumed the tradition of staging Cantonese opera performances to honor the gods once every three years. Initially rated as a Grade II historic building, Seven Saints Ancient Temple lost its rating in February 2010 due to reconstruction that obliterated its original appearance.

Legend

It is said that during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty, fishermen working in the nearby areas of Fanshapai, Tingzhou, and Baishatou were fishing one night off Fanshapai when they pulled up a net full of rocks, among which were seven peculiar stone eggs. The fishermen threw these seven stone eggs toward the shore, and seven small sparks rose and drifted all the way to the foot of Ma On Shan mountain. The fishermen prayed to the heavens, vowing to build a temple by the mountainside to repay the divine favor if their fishing fortunes improved. From then on, they enjoyed smooth sailing and their wishes came true. They subsequently built a small hut named “Golden Temple” on the mountainside near Chenjiao Zui as a place of worship. However, the hut was later destroyed by fire. Seven small sparks, resembling meteors, flew from behind the temple mountain toward Guankeng before vanishing. The villagers believed this was a divine sign indicating the temple’s intended location and thus initiated the construction of a new temple.

Deities Worshipped

The main hall of Seven Saints Ancient Temple enshrines eight statues. The front row features a single statue of Mazu, though some say it is the Queen Mother. The back row consists of the Seven Fairies, with the largest central figure being the eldest sister—who, according to villagers, is Zhinü (the Weaving Maid)—making this one of only two “Seven Sisters Temples” in Hong Kong. The other is “Fairy Sister Temple” on Peng Chau. A side hall enshrines Guan Di (God of War). Every year on Qixi Festival, many couples visit hand in hand to pray for smooth and happy romantic relationships.

Transportation Guide

Location: Shisixiang, Tai Po District, Hong Kong

Getting There: Take KMB bus routes 299 or 99, or New Territories minibuses 807B or 807K, get off at Sai O stop, then walk to the temple