Small, but well loved neighborhood temple with unique coiled incense hanging and wafting through…read morethe air. There's a small public outside courtyard, smaller inner courtyard with incense shop and reception, and three different altars. Two other people were doing devotion while I was there, a lady was washing the floor, and a man was attending the reception/shop. I almost missed it because the pedestrian street has so many things that could easily distract you and make you miss it if you aren't looking for the simple white arch along the alley.

Temples can often be overkill to those of us from the Western world, because it is simply unknown…read moreand abundant in this area of the world. But I believe with three "Man Mo" temples around Hong Kong and the SAR, this one is a worthy stop if you find yourself in the area. Because it is in Tai Po, it is void of tourists and quaint. It feels very local and peaceful. It was built in 1891 and was declared a historical monument in 1984. More so than other temples I have seen, this place is very well taken care of. The small courtyard was so exceptionally clean and manicured. The temple is also small and dedicated to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). We were the only two people there, other than the one man who was attending the temple reception desk. This temple is located about mid way down Fu Shin Street, which is a small market street for shopping (less tourist trinkets and more designed for locals) and also around the corner from the Railroad Museum.

True. Tai Hang has been undergone quite a lot of transformation. With new bars and shops showing up…read moreevery day, Tai Hang certainly does not lose its traditional side. And its Lin Fa Temple (Or Lotus Temple) proves that Tai Hang is also a cultural hub to amidst the vibrant neighborhood. Before you enter the temple you may also see the streets filled with little stalls that sell offerings and incense (as one expects). You will be at awe to be standing in front of this magnificent historic building that has over a hundred and fifty year of history. Granted, it is certainly not as big as one would have expected, yet it plays a vital part in local celebrations. For example, it is built to pay respect to the Goddess of Mercy, as known as Kwan Yin, who seems to protect everyone at sea, by setting this temple next to the huge lotus rock. However, for most locals, people come here for the fortune tellers as I also have heard that those have rather accurate prediction towards ones' life. I am not a superstitious person but I will call that an experience. Inside the temple you may also see lanterns in the shape of lotus lighting up the temple, which is both beautiful and spiritual. Notice that this establishment is also listed as a Grade I historic building, so if fortune telling is not your taste, that certainly is if you are in it for some historic Chinese architecture.

One of the busiest street in Hong Kong is the Nathan Road…read more On Nathan Road, one can pass all the way from Boundary Street to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. The long and straight street was built by the British HK Government linking the border all the way to the harbour where the British marine force were, and it used to be an important strategic military route for the British, just like the Romans who build roads mainly to facilitate conquering by their troops. Along this road, near Jordan and besides Mira, one would notice a very rustic church sitting back amongst lustrous trees, opposite to the Park Avenue, the St. Andrews's Church. The Church of England decided in 1906 to built a Church in the Gothic Revival style, just like the St. James Cathedral on the Hong Kong side, to facilitate the English-speaking believers on Kowloon side, and hence it became the oldest Protestant church in Kowloon. During Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the church was temporarily used as a Shinto Shrine, and original function only resumed after the war. As students at the Diocesan Girls School, we would recall receiving services from rev.s from St Andrew's Church. The restoration project was carried out as a centenary celebration for the church. It was highly praised by the juries of 2006 UNESCO cultural heritage awards, due to its painstaking strive to understand, recycle and reuse original materials and historic building techniques, and was given an Award of Merits http://www.standrews.org.hk