Tin Hau Temple at Yau Ma Tei

Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea, is revered by fishermen and anyone whose life and destiny is tied to the sea. Temples that honour her are found in abundance in Chinese coastal communities throughout Asia. Hong Kong is no exception.

But the location of this Tin Hau Temple in the middle of urban Yau Ma Tei with nary a coastline in sight might strike you as rather odd. There is an explanation, though: Asia’s world city is a place of endless change, and before massive land reclamation, this temple was on the harbour-front! People still worship the Goddess here, regardless of the area’s lack of salt water.