Pak Tai Temple

Simply beautiful.
Unlike some of the other temples in Hong Kong, this one is a little more hidden (although right next to a very busy street) and it was near empty when we came. But it was a tranquil place to come and just enjoy silence for a little bit.
It was free entry and we didn’t stay long, just enough to wander and be amazed at the beauty.
I didn’t see any signs explaining really anything, so it was all kind of a mystery. But a mystery’s not such a bad thing, especially when you can take a moment of peace on a busy trip. For that, it was perfect.

If you’re visiting Wan Chai, a visit to Pak Tai Temple is a must. One of the quieter and less touristy temples, it’s a nice way to be introduced to local customs and retreat from the busy streets outside.
I was lucky enough to be taken here by a local, but the impression I got was that everyone was welcome here provided they take their best manners. A few interesting and important things to note:
— Entry is free.
— Don’t step on door thresholds but rather step over them.
— The statues you see around the temple represent different gods. Locals will pray to the one that can help them on a particular visit.
— The main god here is The Northern Emperor (Pak Tai).
— The room on the right hand side houses large incense coils that burn for days. They’re quite impressive.

This is a beautiful temple that, unfortunately, I only discovered today. Stone Nullah Street is one of my favorite areas but I had always arrived from Queen’s Road East and went to the shops at the bottom of the street. Today my boyfriend and I took an alternative way and climbed up the stairs from the Old Wan Chai Post Office and then came back down to Queen’s Road through Stone Nullah. And that’s how we found the temple, and the nice park beside it.
The Temple is located is a really quiet area, which may be why it wasn’t busy at all when we came in this morning: neither tourists nor prayers there, just the few people who take care of it.
Pak Tai is the common name for the ‘Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven’ so thankfully the shorter name was picked! It’s the main deity of the temple which was built in 1863 by the neighbors and is now listed as Grade I Historical Building by the Hong Kong Government. As compared to other temples within the city, it’s got a more modern aspect with renovations having taken place in 2005. However the temple houses relicts, some of them from an earlier time, like the copper image of Pak Tai from 1604.
At the entrance on the left there is a huge tree welcoming you into the terrace that gives the whole picture a unique look. There is also a nice indoors terrace, also on the left hand side of the temple, to which some high buildings look into.
For both tourists and locals, this is a hidden gem that should make it into your must do’s in Hong Kong, and it’s worth the climb up!