Shangwan Kiln Fanxian Temple

Shangwan Kiln Fanxian Temple

Shangwan Kiln Fanxian Temple, also known as Fanxian Shrine, is located in Shangwan Kiln Village, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. It enshrines Fanxian, the patron deity of the ceramic industry, who gradually became a guardian deity of the region. As Fanxian Temple is the only temple in Hong Kong dedicated to Fanxian, it has witnessed the rise and fall of the ceramic industry in the territory. Therefore, on December 30, 1999, it was declared a statutory monument of Hong Kong.

Fanxian Temple is the main shrine of both Upper and Lower Wan Kiln Villages and is the only surviving temple of its kind in Hong Kong. Its exact construction date is unknown, but a wooden plaque hanging in the main hall bears carvings from the 1790 Gengxu year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, suggesting that the temple is over 200 years old. It is generally believed that Fanxian Temple was built by the Ma clan to worship Fan Dasheng, the guardian deity of potters.

The architecture of Fanxian Temple is simple yet functional, while the decorations on the main gate are exquisitely crafted. However, a severe fire in the mid-1970s destroyed many historical relics. After the fire, the calligraphy and paintings on the gate were repainted during renovations in 1976. The window frames with iron grilles on the four inner walls of the temple were installed after World War II. The temple still retains the 1790 wooden plaque, as well as commemorative stone tablets erected during renovation projects in 1897, 1925, 1964, and 1976. Restoration work on Fanxian Temple has been completed, and it is now open to visitors.

Fan Sin Temple

Must-visit reason: The only temple in Hong Kong dedicated to Fanxian