The Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay, sometimes referred to as Tai Miu,Information on Proposed Grade I Items. Item #70 is Hong Kong's oldest and largest Tin Hau Temple.Chinese Temples Committee - Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay It is also said to be the most popular Tin Hau temple both for fishermen and for others in Hong Kong.
Location The sea-facing temple is located at Fat Tong Mun (), on the shore of Joss House Bay,bc Magazine "Borne Of The Water" near the south end of Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Joss House Bay derives its name from the temple, or joss house. The Chinese name of Joss House Bay, Tai Miu Wan (), literally means "the bay of the large temple".
History The temple is said to have been built in 1266 by Lam Tao-yi (). There is a rock nearby, that was carved in 1274. It bears the oldest dated inscription known in Hong Kong.Declared Monuments in Hong Kong: Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay
Tin Hau Festival and events Once a year, on Tin Hau's birthday, the 23rd of the third moon on the Chinese calendar, upwards of 40,000 to 50,000 people attend celebrations at the temple.Birthday of Tin Hau: Unique Experiences Thousands of people hike their way, via the High Junk Peak Hiking Trail, to the Temple to pay their respects. Thousands of others sail into Joss House Bay in hundreds of vessels.bc Magazine "Heavenly Queen"
The police have the launching ceremony of their new cruisers held at the temple.
Conservation The temple was managed by the Lam clan until 1939. Since them, it has been managed by the Chinese Temples Committee. Formerly a Grade I historic building,List of Graded Historic Buildings in Hong Kong (as at 6 November 2009) the temple was declared a monument on October 20, 2023.
Access The temple is accessible via the High Junk Peak Hiking Trail.Sai Kung Magazine "Respects to Tin Hau" A shorter walk combined with public transportation is possible from the Clear Water Bay Country Club.Birthday of Tin Hau: Highlights
A ferry service to Joss House Bay is available annually from North Point Ferry Pier on the day of Tin Hau's birthday.Tin Hau Birthday Celebrations at Joss House Bay Joss House Bay Public Pier is located just in front of the temple.Film Services Offices: Joss House Bay Public Pier
Outside the Tin Hau Birthday Celebration, a regular green minibus (Route 16) operates between MTR Po Lam station Public Transport Interchange and Po Toi O. Visitors should alight at the Tai Miu Wan stop (near the entrance to Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club) and walk for about 10 minutes down a flight of stairs to Joss House Bay, passing the rock inscription on the way down.Transport Department website: Green Minibus Route 16
References
External links
Pictures of the temple