Cheung Shan Ancient Temple

　　Cheung Shan Ancient Temple is a temple in Hong Kong, located in Ping Che, Fanling, New Territories. The existing structure was built in the seventh year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1868), and has been a declared monument of Hong Kong since 1998. Originally constructed in the fifty-fourth year of the Qianlong era (1789) by villages in the Ta Kwu Ling area, it was first named Changsheng An and was dedicated to Buddha, Guanyin, and the Earth Store Bodhisattva. The mountain path in front of the temple was once a vital route to and from Sha Tau Kok, so Cheung Shan Ancient Temple also served as a resting place for travelers along the way, offering tea and refreshments.

　　Although not large in scale, the temple is serene and elegant, featuring the typical architectural style of residential buildings in Guangdong during the Qing Dynasty. It consists of two sections — the front and the rear — with the front being about one meter higher than the rear. The main hall is located in the center, flanked by side halls. It is said that travelers of the time stayed in the side halls, which could accommodate up to thirty people at their peak. The temple houses many historical artifacts, including a bronze bell cast in the fifty-fourth year of the Qianlong era (1798) inscribed with the characters “Changsheng An,” and a wooden plaque inscribed with “Cheung Shan Ancient Temple” dating back to the seventh year of the Tongzhi era (1868). Its ritual implements and Buddhist altar are also remarkably simple and traditional. On the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Ghost Festival, monks are invited to conduct ceremonies, and vegetarian banquets are held. Devotees from neighboring villages, nearby areas, and even some from urban districts gather here to chant sutras and worship the Buddha, making it a lively occasion.

　　Over time, the temple fell into disrepair. However, after being included in the management scope of monuments by the Antiquities Advisory Board of Hong Kong, special funds were allocated for its restoration and maintenance in early 1998. The work was completed by the end of that year, and the temple was rededicated on January 4, 1999. Today, Cheung Shan Ancient Temple retains its traditional charm while having been thoroughly renovated both inside and out.

　　Cheung Shan Monastery Must-visit reason: One of Hong Kong’s most renowned ancient temples