Man Mo Temple
Man Mo Temple things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
&promo_pic=/one-page/coolest.jpg)
Posts
Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan is a Grade I listed heritage building and one of Hong Kong's most visited temples. While not one of our personal favourites, Man Mo Temple is convenient to visit and offers a nice perspective of what you can expect to see in many Chinese style temples. This temple was built in 1847 and is the largest dedicated to Man Mo found in Hong Kong. The temple pays tribute and takes it name from the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). Here you can see the expected shrines and worship halls, burning incense coils, drums and murals. You will also find historic, wooden divinity chairs encased on the left side of the main hall. There is also a large wooden panel with gold gilded carvings that can be seen as you enter the doorway. In the centre of the main hall you see many small lanterns laid out in straight rows, this makes a nice image to see. In the end, we much prefer visits to the more decorative and larger temples in Hong Kong, particularly those in Kowloon like Wong Tai Sin Temple and the Chi Lin Nunnery as well as Man Fat Tsz (10,000 Buddha) Monastery and Che Kung temple in Sha Tin. However, if you are in Hong Kong for a short trip only and are staying on Hong Kong Island, this is a good temple to include in your sightseeing efforts. Tip: Man Mo Temple is found along Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan. This temple can be easily visited by those making the rounds on the Hong Kong Big Bus and Rickshaw Bus Tours or when independently visiting the attractions in the Central and Sheung Wan districts of Hong Kong Island.
Brad
00
Visiting Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong is a captivating experience that immerses you in the rich tapestry of local culture and spirituality. Nestled in the heart of Sheung Wan, this historic temple, dedicated to the gods of literature (Man) and war (Mo), offers a serene escape from the bustling city. As you approach the temple, the intricate architecture and vibrant red and gold decorations draw you in. The air is filled with the fragrant aroma of incense wafting from the many coils hanging from the ceiling, each representing a prayer or wish from visitors. The sight of these spirals, slowly releasing smoke, creates a mystical atmosphere. Inside, the soft glow of candlelight illuminates the ornate altars adorned with offerings of fruit, tea, and even roast meat. Observing the locals as they engage in rituals—lighting incense, bowing, and making wishes—adds a profound layer of authenticity to the visit. It's a moment of connection to centuries of tradition. One of the highlights is the tranquil courtyard, where you can take a moment to reflect and soak in the ambiance. The gentle sound of temple bells and the distant chatter of worshippers create a peaceful backdrop, allowing for a brief escape from the fast-paced city life. The experience is not just about visiting a temple; it's about feeling the heartbeat of Hong Kong's cultural heritage. Leaving Man Mo Temple, you carry with you not just memories of a beautiful space, but also a sense of peace and a deeper appreciation for the local customs and history.
Min Min
00
Located at 124-130 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 🇭🇰. This is a great temple, it is dedicated to not just one God, but many. The Man Mo Temple is a compound that was created to worship all Heavenly Gods, and Kung Sor, which is a important community hall where community would gather conflicts were discussed and resolved. The temple is graded as a Grade 1 Historic Building in Hong Kong as it showcases a lot of traditional craftsmanship such as granite pillars, carved wooden plaques and historic murals. No flash photography is allowed inside and no smoking. Respect is expected at all times. The temple is distinguished by its green tiled roof and was constructed between 1847 and 1862. The temple contains well preserved artifacts such as a Qing Dynasty Bronze Bell cast in 1847. This was a lovely place to visit. It’s very rich in history and the atmosphere was very peaceful and tranquil. The spiral 🌀 incense coils that hang overhead look very asthmatic. You can also buy souvenirs and amulets. It was quite busy when we went both with tourists like me and with worshippers. So it was very crowded. There also a lot of smoke in the air inside the temple from the incense and the smell from the incense is quite strong also. The atmosphere is very spiritual. You can buy incense sticks and offer to the Gods. I did this, because, why not? I would definitely recommend you visit, no matter what religion you believe in. Thumbs Up!!! 👍👍👍
Nerine Cummins
00
The sense of "old" and "tradition" is thick in the air through the scent of incense. The temple is split into two different buildings, the Man Mo temple building (文武殿) for scholars and the white collared workers and the Guanyin building (觀音殿) for all the day-to-day needs. It's the busiest at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, when people pray for the new year and make their offerings for a prosperity, and on the month of of December (sometime around 22nd December, before the Winter Solstice) when the people thank the deities for their help. When entering, make sure to pay your respect to the Guarding Deity (地主公) before heading indoors to the center of the building. If you're entering through the Guanyin building on the right, she's located at the center inside the main temple building. Bow, give incense, and make a prayer (she looks after travellers mainly but she's all loving and protects many). Going through the Man Mo building, remember to walk in clockwise direction for good luck. You'll find the place often filled to the brim with smoke, that's normal, but bring some eye drops for the irritation. Just remember, be respectful and if you ask around nicely, especially if you're asking the workers and not the praying people, they're quite nice and would either help you or direct you the the nearest English plaque to explain the history of the place.
Ariel Mak
00
The place is fine if you want to visit a spot that can provide some experience on the cultural side of things, also to take a few nice pics it also delivers on that. The thing is that there is way too many people in there and the majority are actually attending for religious purposes which is totally fine and part of the atracción I guess, but as a result all of the faithful participants are making offers in The form of incense or just burning wishes written in paper causing an unbelievable amount of smoke in the place where there is no extraction or proper ventilation. So be prepared with a mask if you have respiratory issues. In my personal opinion walking around outside the temple was the best and I can tell you there are a lot of very nice spots for pictures in the area. Another recommendation I can make is to be cautious when taking pictures inside the temple as I witness a religious person get very very angry at some girls that were taking shots inside, so be discrete and try not to be invasive on someones private space.
Federico Varas
00
Man Mo Temple is a serene historical rich site nestled in the heart of Hong Kong. Temple's intricate architecture is truly a sight to behold. The atmosphere is deeply spiritual, with the scent of incense filling the air and the quiet prayers of visitors creating a peaceful ambiance. Being a Hindu I found the atmosphere to be similar to that of a Hindu temple which made me connect with it even more. I found the praying rituals to be similar too. The temple is dedicated to the gods of literature and martial arts, Man Cheong and Mo Tai, and offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional Chinese religious practices. While the temple can get quite busy, especially during the weekends, it's a must visit for anyone interested in Hong Kong's cultural heritage. The surrounding area also offers plenty of opportunities to explore local shops, some of which sell antique items.
Madhurendra Narayan Tiwary
00
Nearby Attractions Of Man Mo Temple
Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun
Central-Mid-Levels Escalators
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
PMQ
ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan
Soho
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Western Market
Tai Kwun
4.4
(5.4K)
Click for details
Tai Kwun
4.3
(4.7K)
Click for details
Central-Mid-Levels Escalators
4.1
(4K)
Click for details
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park
4.3
(2.1K)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Man Mo Temple
Yat Lok Restaurant (Central)
Kau Kee
Lin Heung Lau
Lan Fong Yuen
Pici Central
Tim Ho Wan (Central)
Shake Shack (ifc mall)
Tsim Chai Kee Noodle
Yung Kee Restaurant
Dim Sum Square
Yat Lok Restaurant (Central)
3.4
(2.2K)
Click for details
Kau Kee
3.6
(1.9K)
Click for details
Lin Heung Lau
3.7
(1.9K)
Click for details
Lan Fong Yuen
3.6
(1.8K)
Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Man Mo Temple, 124-130 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Map
Website
hongkongfuns.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.3
(2.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
scenic
family friendly
accessibility
attractions: Tai Kwun, Tai Kwun, Central-Mid-Levels Escalators, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, PMQ, ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan, Soho, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Western Market, restaurants: Yat Lok Restaurant (Central), Kau Kee, Lin Heung Lau, Lan Fong Yuen, Pici Central, Tim Ho Wan (Central), Shake Shack (ifc mall), Tsim Chai Kee Noodle, Yung Kee Restaurant, Dim Sum Square
- Please manually select your location for better experience