WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE

Located in the Wong Tai Sin district in northern Kowloon, Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of Hong Kong's most popular temples, attracting locals and tourists alike. The contrast between the surrounding housing estates and the beauty of the temple is striking! The temple has been in existence since 1921, when it was founded to honor Wong Tai Sin, a Taoist monk of the Jin dynasty, who is said to have acquired healing powers and became a deity revered for his ability to grant wishes. Today, the temple is renowned for granting wishes.

Kau Cim. One of the main activities you'll be able to observe (or even try out) within the temple walls is Kau Cim - a traditional method of divination consisting of shaking a cylinder filled with numbered sticks until one of them falls out. Each number corresponds to a prophecy, which is then interpreted by thefortune tellers at the entrance. The story goes that an official once used this method to ask for advice before making a major political decision. The answers, in line with the divination, guided him to success, further enhancing the temple's reputation.

The temple'sarchitecture, a blend of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian styles, is impressive, with its many pavilions dedicated to different deities, its tiled roofs, its statues and its soothing garden where you can stroll. The colors blue, red, orange, green and gold are splendid. We recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid the crowds and take full advantage of the serenity of the place. Afternoons and weekends are particularly busy. The temple is particularly lively during Chinese New Year, when thousands of people come to pray for prosperity and health. A fascinating cultural experience not to be missed!

Fortunetellers . At the entrance to the temple, there's a two-storey corridor where fortune tellers wait more or less patiently for onlookers who want their fortune told. Whether it's through numbers and very basic questions, or through palm readings, they predict the future, from a professional, sentimental or other point of view. Expect to pay around HK$30 for a very basic prediction in less than two minutes, and HK$300 for a palm reading... Ask for the price before you start to avoid unpleasant surprises, and remember to bring some cash if you decide to give it a try.