Man Mo Temple
Giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling, in an 1847 temple wedged between two towers.
Duration
20 min – 40 min
Best time
In the morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The temple was built in 1847 by Chinese merchants, just after Hong Kong came under British administration. It is dedicated to two deities: Man, god of literature, and Mo, god of war — students prayed here before the imperial examinations.
What stays with you is the ceiling: dozens of giant hanging incense coils, each burning for weeks, offered for a wish. The air is thick and the light filters through the smoke.
Getting there
Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan. MTR Sheung Wan station, exit A2, then a ten-minute climb, or the Mid-Levels escalator up to Hollywood Road.
Rules on site
The incense smoke is thick and irritates eyes and throat: the visit is short for that reason, and hard going for anyone asthmatic. Photographs are allowed, but not of people at prayer.
Other places in Hong Kong
- Victoria PeakThe densest skyline in the world, seen from six hundred metres.
- Star FerryA ten-minute crossing between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, at water level, since 1888.
- Tian Tan Buddha at Ngong PingThirty-four metres of seated bronze at the top of two hundred and sixty-eight steps, on Lantau island.
- Temple Street Night MarketKowloon's night market, fortune tellers and open-air canteens.