• AHK - History
  • Historical
  • Major Attractions

Yeung Hau Temple – Worshipping A Brave and Loyal Marquis of Song Dynasty

April 8, 2021


Name (English): Yeung Hau Temple
Name (Chinese): 楊侯古廟
Category: Historical Site
Phone Number: +852 24486623
Address (English): Po Chue Tam, Tai O
Address (Chinese): 大澳吉慶後街
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/cke8A96myRGqUC2Q9
Address longitude and latitude: 22.25923209400503, 113.8626963881234
Nearest MTR Station: Tung Chung Exit B
Nearest MTR Station Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/wuxpVzMLChPfnfnL8
Nearest MTR Station longitude and latitude: 22.28935574520052, 113.94191306943014
How far from the nearest MTR Station: Walk 5 minutes to take route 11 bus to Tai O
Opening Hours:
MON 08:00-17:00
TUE 08:00-17:00
WED 08:00-17:00
THU 08:00-17:00
FRI 08:00-17:00
SAT 08:00-17:00
SUN 08:00-17:00
Recommended Time to Visit: 8 am (can visit other Tai O attractions afterward)
Accessibility Note: with stairs on the entrance
Reminder: the bus ride takes around 50 minutes, get off at the bus terminus

Tai O is never short of historical buildings being an ancient fishing village itself. When you feel stuffed after gobbling down all the irresistible street food, take a 10-min stroll northward from Tai O downtown along Kat Hing Back street to appreciate the history of the water town from a more than three-century-old Taoist temple – Yeung Hau Temple. 

(Photo from http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple19.asp)

Overlooking the waterfront, the resident god – Yeung Hau is deemed to be the maternal uncle of the last emperor during the Song dynasty, who has been worshipped and praised by villagers for his bravery and loyalty as he protected the king from the Mongol attacks despite having a serious illness. It is no surprise a few other local deities like Pak Tai – the Water God, Guan Yu – the Warrior God, and Hung Shing – the God of the South Sea are also situated at the temple to protect fishermen from violent sea storms. 

(Photo from http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple19.asp)

Similar to many other local temples in town, Yeung Hai Temple is structured in the classic Qing vernacular two-hall-three-bay architectural style but its interior, extravagantly decorated with handcrafted ceramic and wood murals portraying the ancient folktales and stories of heroes, definitely catches many eyes. Other than the excessive embellishment, you can also tell the villagers back in the days were pretty well-off as the building is supported by both stone and wooden pillars, which the latter could have already done the job. There are a few more treasures of high historical values that you should check out: an iron bell that is the oldest relic dating back to 1699, and a 150-year-old crafted couplet inside the main hall.

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Peggy Lam

Peggy here, and I am a storyteller. Despite not being a professional tour guide myself, I am thrilled to share and write about the fun things to do in town, the untold stories & even my personal observations.