Shau Kei Wan Tam Kung Temple

Shau Kei Wan Tam Kung Temple

Shau Kei Wan Tam Kung Temple, also known as Tam Kung Shrine, is a temple located in Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong, dedicated to the worship of Tam Kung. The temple was built in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1905) and has been listed as a Grade I historic building in Hong Kong. It originally started as a small rural ancient temple. The temple was renovated in 2002 and was downgraded to a Grade III historic building in the list of recommended ratings for 1,444 historic buildings published on March 19, 2009.

The stone plaque above the main entrance of the Tam Kung Temple is inscribed with the four characters “Tam Kung Shrine,” which were carved during the temple’s construction in the Year of Yi-Si of the Guangxu reign. Multiple stone inscriptions on the temple walls document the history of the temple’s establishment and renovations, serving as a testament to Shau Kei Wan’s historical development. In the past, Tam Kung Temple was not only a place where nearby villagers gathered to discuss community affairs but also where they established schools, functioning as a hub for religion, education, and local governance. Today, the main hall of the temple houses the statue of Tam Kung. Legend has it that he mastered the art of immortality; despite his advanced age, he still appears childlike, so when people built the temple to worship him, they sculpted his likeness as that of a child.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, many residents of Hong Kong made a living by fishing, and various villages often built temples to worship certain “sea gods” to pray for the safety of those working at sea. Since many of Hong Kong’s fishermen came from Huizhou, the worship of “Tam Kung” spread to Hong Kong. Originally, Shau Kei Wan in the eastern part of Hong Kong Island had a shape resembling a bamboo basket before land reclamation, with mountains to the southeast providing shelter. The harbor remained calm year-round, making it an excellent typhoon shelter. During the Ming and Qing periods, many fishing boats docked here, and Shau Kei Wan gradually developed into a small fishing village. These fishermen held the sea guardian deity “Tam Kung” in particularly high esteem, leading to the establishment of Tam Kung Temple by the seaside in Shau Kei Wan.

Transportation Guide

Location: Tam Kung Temple Road, Shau Kei Wan, Eastern District, Hong Kong

How to get there: Exit D1 at Shau Kei Wan MTR Station, walk along Sung Hay Road for 5 minutes to reach Tam Kung Temple Road