Hung Shing Temple and Pai Fung Temple, Ho Sheung Heung
Dublin Core
Subject
Temple
Description
Historical Interest:
Hung Shing Temple (洪聖古廟) and Pai Fung Temple (排峰古廟) are two temples at the mouth of Ho Sheung Heung (河上鄉, literally village on a river). They were two separate temples and later linked up by a kitchen built between them. They were built by the Hau (侯) clan which migrated to the Guangdong (廣東) province from the Hebei (河北) province during the Song dynasty (宋, 960-1279). Hau Cheuk-fung (侯卓峰), an ancestor of the 11th generation, later settled in Ho Sheung Heung. The clan then branched out to Yin Kong (燕崗), Kam Tsin (金錢) and Ping Kong (丙崗) in Sheung Shui. The Hung Shing Temple was probably erected in the 18th century for the worship of Hung Shing. It is very special that at the right altar of its main hall, the tablets of Zhou Youde (周有德) and Wang Lairen (王來任) are placed for worship.
They were respectively Viceroys of Guangdong and Guangxi (兩廣總督) successfully persuading the Qing Emperor to lift the Evacuation Edict (遷界令) in 1669 so that the suffered villagers of the territory who had been forced to move inland could return home. The two officials were highly respected by villagers for their contribution. The Pai Fung Temple was originally located at Pai Fung Ling (排峰嶺) in Lo Wu (羅湖) and later moved to the present site in 1937 due to the building of the Lo Wu Barracks (羅湖兵房) in around 1926. No particular deity is worshipped in the temple but the Buddha with others including Kwun Yam (觀音), Tin Hau (天后) and Earth God (土地).
Architectural Merit:
The two temples are Qing vernacular buildings having two halls with a court yard in between. Hung Shing Temple, wider than Pai Fung Temple, is flanked by two side chambers on its left and right. The courtyard of the former has been covered with three separated altars whilst the latter has only one housing different deities .Both temples have pitched roofs and the main ridge of the former is decorated with a firing pearl, two aoyus (鰲魚), geometric, floral and auspicious treasures motif patterns whilst the latter with the patterns only. Decorative mouldings and wall paintings are on front wall friezes and gable friezes of both temples.
Rarity:
The two temples of different ages stand to witness the lengthy development of the Hau clan in Sheung Shui.
Built Heritage Value:
Though the temple are of no particular architectural distinction, they are there performing the functions of two temples for worship, social and communal activities having considerable heritage value.
Authenticity:
Over the years a number of renovations have carried out to the temples, one in 1964, removing much of their originality and adding some unsightly features very much minimizing its authenticity such as much of the walls plastered, floors dressed screeding, internal roofs concreted and others.
Social Value, & Local Interest
In the old days Hung Shing Temple was served as a venue for the solving of disputes among villagers. On each 13th day of the second lunar month, Hung Shing Festival (洪聖誕) will be celebrated with special offerings, Cantonese opera performances, fa pow (花炮) and basin meals. Pai Fung Temple however is relatively less popular than the Hung Shing Temple.
Hung Shing Temple (洪聖古廟) and Pai Fung Temple (排峰古廟) are two temples at the mouth of Ho Sheung Heung (河上鄉, literally village on a river). They were two separate temples and later linked up by a kitchen built between them. They were built by the Hau (侯) clan which migrated to the Guangdong (廣東) province from the Hebei (河北) province during the Song dynasty (宋, 960-1279). Hau Cheuk-fung (侯卓峰), an ancestor of the 11th generation, later settled in Ho Sheung Heung. The clan then branched out to Yin Kong (燕崗), Kam Tsin (金錢) and Ping Kong (丙崗) in Sheung Shui. The Hung Shing Temple was probably erected in the 18th century for the worship of Hung Shing. It is very special that at the right altar of its main hall, the tablets of Zhou Youde (周有德) and Wang Lairen (王來任) are placed for worship.
They were respectively Viceroys of Guangdong and Guangxi (兩廣總督) successfully persuading the Qing Emperor to lift the Evacuation Edict (遷界令) in 1669 so that the suffered villagers of the territory who had been forced to move inland could return home. The two officials were highly respected by villagers for their contribution. The Pai Fung Temple was originally located at Pai Fung Ling (排峰嶺) in Lo Wu (羅湖) and later moved to the present site in 1937 due to the building of the Lo Wu Barracks (羅湖兵房) in around 1926. No particular deity is worshipped in the temple but the Buddha with others including Kwun Yam (觀音), Tin Hau (天后) and Earth God (土地).
Architectural Merit:
The two temples are Qing vernacular buildings having two halls with a court yard in between. Hung Shing Temple, wider than Pai Fung Temple, is flanked by two side chambers on its left and right. The courtyard of the former has been covered with three separated altars whilst the latter has only one housing different deities .Both temples have pitched roofs and the main ridge of the former is decorated with a firing pearl, two aoyus (鰲魚), geometric, floral and auspicious treasures motif patterns whilst the latter with the patterns only. Decorative mouldings and wall paintings are on front wall friezes and gable friezes of both temples.
Rarity:
The two temples of different ages stand to witness the lengthy development of the Hau clan in Sheung Shui.
Built Heritage Value:
Though the temple are of no particular architectural distinction, they are there performing the functions of two temples for worship, social and communal activities having considerable heritage value.
Authenticity:
Over the years a number of renovations have carried out to the temples, one in 1964, removing much of their originality and adding some unsightly features very much minimizing its authenticity such as much of the walls plastered, floors dressed screeding, internal roofs concreted and others.
Social Value, & Local Interest
In the old days Hung Shing Temple was served as a venue for the solving of disputes among villagers. On each 13th day of the second lunar month, Hung Shing Festival (洪聖誕) will be celebrated with special offerings, Cantonese opera performances, fa pow (花炮) and basin meals. Pai Fung Temple however is relatively less popular than the Hung Shing Temple.
Creator
Rights
Unknown
Type
Physical Object Item Type Metadata
Transportation
Minibus 51K from Sheung Shui MTR station to Chung Kuk Path
https://goo.gl/maps/maYVaQVCuh52
https://goo.gl/maps/maYVaQVCuh52
Grading status
3
Citation
Hau (侯) clan, “Hung Shing Temple and Pai Fung Temple, Ho Sheung Heung,” CCCH9051 Group 5, accessed January 10, 2025, https://learning.hku.hk/ccch9051/group-5/items/show/5.