Chiwan Tin Hau Temple in Shenzhen

Chiwan Tin Hau Temple in Shenzhen

Also known as the Tin Hau Museum, Chiwan Tin Hau Temple is located at the foot of Little Nan Shan near Chiwan Village in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Nestled against the mountain and facing the sea, it boasts picturesque scenery. Its origins date back to the Song Dynasty, and the temple was built on a grand scale. It underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties, gradually expanding in size. In the early years of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, the eunuch admiral Zheng He, under the order of Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di, led a fleet across the seas to establish the maritime “Silk Road,” with Chiwan Tin Hau Temple serving as an important stop along the route. The “Scenic Spots of Chiwan,” centered around the Tin Hau Temple, was ranked as the top attraction among the “Eight Scenic Spots of Xin’an” during the Ming and Qing periods.

Chiwan Tin Hau Temple was built in the late Song Dynasty. Constructed on a magnificent scale, it underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties and grew increasingly prominent, eventually becoming one of the most important Tin Hau temples along the coast. Whenever imperial envoys were sent to Southeast Asian countries, they would stop here to offer incense and pray for divine protection through grand ceremonies. It is said that at its peak, Chiwan Tin Hau Temple comprised dozens of structures, over 120 rooms, and covered an area of more than 900 acres. With its majestic halls and awe-inspiring presence, it was the largest Tin Hau Temple on China’s coast with 99 gates, as well as the most prestigious cultural landmark in Shenzhen’s history. It enjoyed enduring fame in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and various Southeast Asian countries.

The dragon pillars in the front hall of the temple are carved from blue stone, and the main hall houses a statue of Tin Hau. The ceiling of the main hall is adorned with golden plaques inscribed by Emperors Yongzheng, Qianlong, and Guangxu, making it an important site for worship activities. Chiwan Tin Hau Temple was demolished in the 1950s, and the tradition of the “Cishi” ceremony to worship Mazu came to an end. The temple was rebuilt in 1992. Due to land reclamation, the celebration of Mazu’s birthday was moved inside the temple. In 2006 and 2007, Chiwan Tin Hau Temple was successfully listed as a municipal and then a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage site, respectively, and underwent renovation in 2010.

Address: No. 6 Chiwan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 226, 355, or N4 within Shenzhen and get off at the Tin Hau Temple stop.