The Temple of the Third Prince and the Temple of the Northern Emperor in Sham Shui Po

The Temple of the Third Prince and the Temple of the Northern Emperor in Sham Shui Po

Also known as the Temple of the Third Prince, the Third Prince Temple is the only temple in Hong Kong dedicated to the main characters from the classic Chinese mythological tale Investiture of the Gods, enshrining the Third Prince Nezha. Located on Yu Chau Street in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, the temple was built during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty and is now a Grade II historic building in Hong Kong. Adjacent to the Third Prince Temple is the Temple of the Northern Emperor, also called the Northern Emperor Palace. Both temples were placed under the management of the Chinese Temples Committee in 1931. Reconstruction projects were carried out in 1985 and 2006.

History and Structure

In 1894, a plague broke out in Hong Kong. At that time, Sham Shui Po, located north of Boundary Street, was still part of Qing territory and home to many Hakka stonecutters. During the epidemic, they invited the statue of the Third Prince for a parade from Huiyang, after which the plague subsided. As a result, in the 24th year of the Guangxu reign (1898), funds were raised to build the temple to protect the health of local residents.

The Third Prince Temple is a traditional two-courtyard structure. The stone plaque above the main gate reads “Third Prince Temple,” and the couplet on the gate says: “Which deity drove away the pestilence? We worship those who bring merits to the people.” Above the central partition is inscribed “Supremely Holy and Spiritual,” with another couplet reading: “Your divine virtue is lofty, showering grace upon all living beings; your boundless mercy blesses every citizen of the nation.” The temple primarily enshrines the Third Prince Nezha, along with Guanyin and Judge Bao. It also houses altars for the God of the Year and the Goddess of Golden Flower.

The Temple of the Northern Emperor in Sham Shui Po was built by local fishermen and was originally located by the seaside. It was relocated next to the Third Prince Temple in 1920. The Northern Emperor Temple enshrines the Northern Emperor, Master Xuanzang (Tang Sanzang), and the God of Literature. Outside the Third Prince Temple, there is a smaller shrine dedicated to the City God.

The birthdays of the Northern Emperor and the Third Prince are celebrated on the third and eighteenth days of the third lunar month, respectively.

Transportation Guide

Address: Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po District, Hong Kong

Getting There: Take KMB buses 2E, 87A, or 87B to the site