Man Mo Temple

Man Mo Temple stands on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan and is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong. Its three adjoining buildings were put up between 1847 and 1862, and the complex is now managed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. It was declared a monument in 2010.

The main hall is dedicated to Man Cheong, the god of literature, and Mo Tai, the god of martial arts, which explains the temple's name. Visitors come to pray for success and prosperity, bringing incense, joss paper and offerings such as oranges. Next door, Lit Shing Kung is dedicated to all the heavenly gods, while the Kung Sor was an assembly hall where community affairs and disputes among local Chinese residents were once discussed and settled.

Inside, the halls are dim and heavy with incense smoke. Look for the green tiled roof, the granite pillars and door frames, carved wooden plaques and historic murals, as well as a bronze bell cast in 1847 and a ceremonial sedan chair made in 1862. The temple also appeared in the 1988 film Rouge, in which the main character visits to pray.

Entry is free, and a visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. This is a working place of worship, so be respectful, avoid blocking the altars and ask before photographing people at prayer. The incense smoke can be strong, which is worth knowing if you have asthma. Mornings are often quieter, and the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month bring more worshippers.

The temple is listed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board as one of the city's key heritage sites, and the Tung Wah Group's records and heritage office publishes background on its history for anyone who wants to read more before visiting.

The temple is a good stop on a walk through the older streets of Sheung Wan. Tai Kwun, the former Central Police Station compound at 10 Hollywood Road, lies further east along the same street, so the two make an easy pairing on foot. Combine them with a meal in Sheung Wan or Central, where several of the city's best-known noodle and roast meat shops are close by.