Of temples in Hong Kong how much do you know? Today we are standing before Chong Har Ching Ser. It is a Taoist temple with a rich history. Let’s step inside and explore its story.
Chong Har Ching Ser sits in the New Territories’ Fanling area. More specifically it is on Wong Uk Shan. This temple belongs to the Chong Har branch. It is part of the Xiantian Taoist sect. This sect originates from Qingyuan. Qingyuan is a city in Guangdong Province.
Mr. Zhu Fanqiao founded Chong Har Ching Ser. It serves as a Taoist temple. Its core principle is cultivation through hardship. The temple is dedicated to several deities. These include Guanyin and Lu Dongbin. You will also find statues of Beidi and Guan Yu. The Three Pure Ones and Huanglong Zhenren are also honored. Confucius completes the ensemble. The temple celebrates the Yuan Festival and盂蘭節 every year. These festivals are major events.
The temple has close ties to other Taoist centers. These include the Chong Har Temple of Qingyuan. Also the Fei Xia Temple of Foshan. It also maintains links with Xiantian Taoist groups in Southeast Asia. These connections foster exchange and mutual visits.
Construction of Chong Har Ching Ser began in 1920. The current structure dates back to the 1950s. The architecture resembles a small courtyard. It features a traditional layout. This layout is called “two entrances and four combinations”.
Interestingly a nearby residential area has an intriguing story. Initially it was to be named Wong Uk Shan Village. This name was after the area where it is located. There were concerns the name would evoke the Huanghuagang Uprising of 1911. To avoid this association officials renamed it. They used a homophone of Chong Har Ching Ser. The new name became Cheung Wah Village.
The temple actively supports its community. It provides services for ancestral tablets. These services cater to deceased Taoists. Chong Har Ching Ser also contributes to charitable causes. It assists in the renovation of the Qingyuan Chong Har Temple. Additionally it participates in public welfare projects. It works with other Xiantian Taoist halls. Together they operate elderly care facilities. These facilities offer services to seniors.
As we conclude our visit remember Chong Har Ching Ser. It is more than just a temple. It is a center of faith. It is a hub of community support. It is a testament to Taoist traditions in Hong Kong.