Hung Shing Temple, Hung Leng Tsuen
Dublin Core
Subject
Temple
Description
Historical Interest:
Hung Shing Temple (洪聖宮) in Hung Leng Tsuen (孔嶺村), Fanling, was probably built in the 28th year of Qianlong (乾隆, 1763) of the Qing (清) dynasty as its cloud gong has this dating engraved on it. For the worship of the Hung Shing deity, the temple was built by villagers of the Four Yeuk (四約, four villages alliance), namely, Loi Tung (萊洞), Lung Yeuk Tau (龍躍頭), Lin Ma Hang (蓮麻坑) and Tan Chuk Hang (丹竹坑). It was once that Tan Chuk Hang had fights with Ta Kwu Ling (打鼓嶺). The former was always the loser who sought help from the other two. They begged for Hung Shing’s blessing and protection. The temple was damaged at the beginning of the Second World War when the British army tried to bombard a bridge close to the temple in order to delay the approaching Japanese troops.
Architectural Merit:
The temple is a Qing vernacular building having a two-hall-one-courtyard plan with connecting side chambers to its left and right. An annex block, slightly bigger than the main halls and probably a later addition, is built to the left of the building. The Hung Shing deity with others are worshipped at the end hall. The courtyard has been covered whilst the side chambers are for keeper’s use. The annex has a kitchen and lavatories. Colourful wall paintings and mouldings with landscape and floral motifs are decorated on its façade and back walls. Its main ridge is decorated with a ceramic pearl and two aoyus (鰲魚) only. The temple has its old green bricks on its external walls retained whilst its internal walls are all plastered and painted with false brick lines.
Rarity:
The over 200 years old Hung Shing Temple is one to witness the historic development of the Four Yeuk though the type of temples are found in many areas in the territory.
Built Heritage Value:
The building though having some of its original features removed and the repairs not sympathetic enough, its structure is still bearing a considerable amount of heritage value.
Authenticity:
Renovations were carried out in 1886, after the Second World War and in 1991. The later added annex block is sure diminishing the authenticity of the temple. The pitch roofs of the side chambers were made concrete and the windows replaced with aluminum ones in the 1991 repair.
Social Value, & Local Interest
The temple has been the centre of the Four Yeuk villagers seeking the deity’s protection and help. The temple was once popular for fortune-telling which was made by two monks, Leung Chi (梁智) and Cheung Hing-pui (張慶培). Da Chiu (打醮) in the Yeuk had been popular before the war but discontinued thereafter. Fa Pow (花炮) was carried out in front of the temple during the Da Chiu period. Hung Shing Festival (洪聖誕) on the 12th day of the second lunar month however will be celebrated each year with basin meals provided for the villagers.
Hung Shing Temple (洪聖宮) in Hung Leng Tsuen (孔嶺村), Fanling, was probably built in the 28th year of Qianlong (乾隆, 1763) of the Qing (清) dynasty as its cloud gong has this dating engraved on it. For the worship of the Hung Shing deity, the temple was built by villagers of the Four Yeuk (四約, four villages alliance), namely, Loi Tung (萊洞), Lung Yeuk Tau (龍躍頭), Lin Ma Hang (蓮麻坑) and Tan Chuk Hang (丹竹坑). It was once that Tan Chuk Hang had fights with Ta Kwu Ling (打鼓嶺). The former was always the loser who sought help from the other two. They begged for Hung Shing’s blessing and protection. The temple was damaged at the beginning of the Second World War when the British army tried to bombard a bridge close to the temple in order to delay the approaching Japanese troops.
Architectural Merit:
The temple is a Qing vernacular building having a two-hall-one-courtyard plan with connecting side chambers to its left and right. An annex block, slightly bigger than the main halls and probably a later addition, is built to the left of the building. The Hung Shing deity with others are worshipped at the end hall. The courtyard has been covered whilst the side chambers are for keeper’s use. The annex has a kitchen and lavatories. Colourful wall paintings and mouldings with landscape and floral motifs are decorated on its façade and back walls. Its main ridge is decorated with a ceramic pearl and two aoyus (鰲魚) only. The temple has its old green bricks on its external walls retained whilst its internal walls are all plastered and painted with false brick lines.
Rarity:
The over 200 years old Hung Shing Temple is one to witness the historic development of the Four Yeuk though the type of temples are found in many areas in the territory.
Built Heritage Value:
The building though having some of its original features removed and the repairs not sympathetic enough, its structure is still bearing a considerable amount of heritage value.
Authenticity:
Renovations were carried out in 1886, after the Second World War and in 1991. The later added annex block is sure diminishing the authenticity of the temple. The pitch roofs of the side chambers were made concrete and the windows replaced with aluminum ones in the 1991 repair.
Social Value, & Local Interest
The temple has been the centre of the Four Yeuk villagers seeking the deity’s protection and help. The temple was once popular for fortune-telling which was made by two monks, Leung Chi (梁智) and Cheung Hing-pui (張慶培). Da Chiu (打醮) in the Yeuk had been popular before the war but discontinued thereafter. Fa Pow (花炮) was carried out in front of the temple during the Da Chiu period. Hung Shing Festival (洪聖誕) on the 12th day of the second lunar month however will be celebrated each year with basin meals provided for the villagers.
Rights
Unknown
Type
Physical Object Item Type Metadata
Transportation
Minibus 52K from Fanling MTR station to Hung Leng Tsuen
https://goo.gl/maps/P1eqrZ5kabC2
https://goo.gl/maps/P1eqrZ5kabC2
Grading status
3
Citation
Villagers of the Four Yeuk (四約, four villages alliance), namely, Loi Tung (萊洞), Lung Yeuk Tau (龍躍頭), Lin Ma Hang (蓮麻坑) and Tan Chuk Hang (丹竹坑), “Hung Shing Temple, Hung Leng Tsuen,” CCCH9051 Group 5, accessed January 10, 2025, https://learning.hku.hk/ccch9051/group-5/items/show/6.