4 Haunting Abandoned Religious Sites in Hong Kong
Contents
- 1. The Graveyard of the Gods
- 2. Tai Wo Thai Temple
- 3. Burma Lines Abandoned Nepalese Hindu Temple
- 4. St. Joseph's Chapel in Ma On Shan
Tucked away in mysterious nooks and crannies of Hong Kong lie a few haunting remnants of its diverse religious history. As the city marches headfirst into the throes of soulless modernity, punctuated by towering skyscrapers and tiny apartments, it's almost impossible to visualize what Hong Kong looked like in the past. However, these four neglected sanctuaries still stand as poignant reminders of a truly fascinating bygone era.
1. The Graveyard of the Gods
The Graveyard of the Gods, located in Waterfall Bay Park in Hong Kong, is a curious little hillside adorned with thousands of vibrant statues of gods, predominantly depicting Buddhas from various religions. These statues were abandoned or donated by the families of deceased relatives or individuals who could no longer keep them due to cultural beliefs that discarding religious icons brings bad luck.
For over three decades, an 88-year-old man named Wong Wing-pong has been the guardian of this divine hillside, visiting twice a day to clean, maintain, and pray to the statues, which now number between 2,000 to 3,000. Wong, a devout Buddhist, feels honored to care for the gods and believes they bless him.
The site is shrouded in mystery and some locals believe it possesses good feng shui energy, attracting gods and blessings to visitors. The hillside remains relatively unknown even to the local government, making it an off-the-beaten-path attraction for those seeking a unique cultural experience.
Transport Directions
*For detailed directions, check out the article link above.
You can take the MTR to any of the below stations and get one of the below buses to Wah Fu. Not all of the buses stop at the same point, so it's best to check which stop is closest to the Graveyard of the Gods, which can be found here. Be sure to check the bus timings to make sure they're running on the day you plan to go.
From Kowloon
Bus 970 (goes past Cheung Sha Wan, Sham Shui Po, Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan and Austin)
From HK Island
Bus 4 (goes past Central, Sheung Wan and Pok Fu Lam)
Bus 30X (Admiralty, Central, Pok Fu Lam)
Bus 42 (goes past North Point, Fortress Hill, Tin Hau, Causeway Bay, Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen)
Bus 48 (goes past Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen)
From the New Territories
Bus 170 (goes past Shatin, Tai Wai, Kowloon Tong, Ho Man Tin, Hung Hom, Causeway Bay, Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen)
2. Tai Wo Thai Temple
Tai Wo Thai Temple, also known as Wat Tai Wo, is located in the jungle about 20 minutes away from Tai Wo MTR Station. It is a serene, authentic Thai Buddhist temple that offers a tranquil and calming atmosphere to visitors seeking spiritual solace.
The temple is renowned for its warm hospitality, with monks often offering refreshments to guests without expecting any payment in return (at least from my personal experience). Tai Wo Thai Temple has been recognized for its remarkable feat of constructing structures in the jungle, possibly earning accolades from the Thai Royal family.
At the heart of the temple lies a a large golden sitting Buddha, drawing pilgrims and visitors alike to pay their respects. The temple complex includes a communal kitchen, living quarters for monks, and other buildings, serving as a focal point for Thai migrant workers and domestic helpers to celebrate important Thai festivals.
One of the most captivating features of Tai Wo Thai Temple is the abandoned treehouse situated just behind the golden Buddha. This hidden gem exudes an air of mystery and charm, nestled beside a gentle river and embraced by the roots of a majestic tree. The treehouse, partially reclaimed by nature, offers a peaceful retreat for contemplation and connection with the natural world, making it a must-visit for those exploring the temple grounds.
Transport Directions
*For detailed directions, check out the article link above.
- Take the MTR to Tai Wo Station
- Getting to the Tai Wo Thai Temple takes about 20 - 25 minutes in total from Tai Wo MTR Station. You'll want to leave through exit A and hang a left in the mall.
- Follow the green fence beside the Assembly Of God Hebron Secondary School and go across the reg bridge just beyond.
- Walk through Shek Kwu Lung Village and head to the village car park to the right.
- From there, you'll want to follow the path by the little stream and heed all signs that point toward the Thai Temple until you arrive!
3. Burma Lines Abandoned Nepalese Hindu Temple
The abandoned Nepalese Hindu Temple in Fanling, Hong Kong, known as the Burma Lines Abandoned Hindu Temple, has a rich history dating back to the 1960s. Originally constructed for Gurkha soldiers stationed at Queen's Hill Camp, this temple served as a place of worship for these soldiers who practiced Hinduism, the state religion of Nepal.
The temple features a unique lotus-inspired design with a hexagonal plan and twelve triangular slabs forming a three-dimensional tent-like structure. It was abandoned in 1996, symbolizing the departure of the Gurkhas from the area.
The temple's architecture is distinctive in Hong Kong, with multiple entrances and sharp roof points resembling lotus petals. The exterior of the temple is pale green, while the interior boasts vibrant colors of orange and blue. Inside, there is a raised dais serving as the altar, along with a concrete hut of unknown purpose. The temple's design aimed to mimic a lotus flower, a significant symbol in Hinduism representing spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Durga Mata, Kali Ma, Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, and Lord Ganesh are some of the prominent deities worshipped at the temple, each representing different aspects of Hindu beliefs such as protection, destruction of evil forces, spiritual liberation, divine love, and removal of obstacles. The temple's design and deities reflect a blend of cultural significance and spiritual symbolism tied to the Gurkha soldiers' heritage and beliefs.
Transport Directions
*For detailed directions, check out the article link above.
- Take the MTR to Fanling Station
- After taking the 78A bus from Fanling Station, get off at the Shan Lai Court stop
- Walk toward Lei Shan house (one of the large apartment buildings) and turn right after reaching the end of the bike lane
- Follow the path forward until you see a public toilet
- From there, locate the little path beside the disabled toilet door
- head through the fence beyond and turn right after the white sign
- Follow the fence all the way to the temple. Do not take any detours
You can find the Google Map Location of the Burma Lines temple here.
4. St. Joseph's Chapel in Ma On Shan
St. Joseph's Chapel is located in Ma On Shan Village, which has a rich history connected to Hong Kong's mining scene, which flourished from the 1950s to the 1970s. The main source of income for the villlage was Ma On Shan Iron Mine, which operated from the early 1900s until its closure in 1976. The mine was significant in Hong Kong's industrial landscape, producing around 3 million tons of iron ore mainly exported to Japan.
The village, in its heyday, supported a population of 6,000 to 10,000 residents, but the number of villagers declined dramatically after the mine shut down due to falling ore prices.
The village is currently home to two churches—St. Joseph's Chapel and the Lutheran Yan Kwong Church. St. Joseph's Chapel, inaugurated in 1952, was a vital religious and communal center for the community. However, it fell into disuse after the mine closure and closed in 1999, now standing in disrepair. In contrast, the Lutheran Yan Kwong Church, also established in 1952, has been repurposed into a community hall and cultural center, continuing to serve the local community.
Given that St. Joseph's Chapel is located in a village where people still live, it's important that visitors do not trespass into private property. Be wary of village guard dogs, as well.
*For detailed directions to the NR84 bus stop, and on how you can walk to the village, check out the article link above.
By far, the most convenient way to get to Ma On Shan Village is via the NR84 village bus. The journey takes about 15 minutes and you should get off at the last stop. The bus is extremely infrequent, so try to time your trip well or else, you'll be walking there (or back), which takes about an hour and a half.
NR84 BUS SCHEDULE:
From Ma On Shan Station
Daily: 8.00 a.m., 9.00 a.m. **, 9.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 4.40 p.m., ∆∆ 5.30 p.m., 7.00 p.m.
From Ma On Shan Village
Daily 7.00 a.m., 8.30 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 12.00 p.m.**, 1.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m.**, 4.30 p.m., ∆ 5.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m.
How to Get to Ma On Shan Village by Taxi
Take a taxi from Ma On Shan station (or anywhere else) and tell the driver you want to go to Ma On Shan Village: 馬鞍山村
