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Lo Hoi-ying

Tens of thousands of Hongkongers flocked to Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin on Monday, the third day of Lunar New Year, to pray for good health and peace, with some expressing gratitude to the site’s namesake for blessings over the pandemic.
Crowds lined the streets and a pedestrian underpass connected to Tai Wai MTR station, as police set up metal barriers and guided devotees towards the temple.
Pungent incense smoke billowed and drums thumped as the temple courtyard became packed with people holding joss sticks and paper pinwheels.
Worshippers offered incense sticks before the statue of deity Che Kung in the main hall and turned the fan-shaped brass “wheel of fortune”, which is said to bring luck.

The temple was named after the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) commander Che Kung who had a reputation of ridding villages of plagues and suppressing uprisings.
Devotees told the Post they had wished for good health and peace, while thanking the commander for tiding them over during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lam Lam, 57, said she prayed for a year of smooth sailing and expressed gratitude for his blessings over the past one.
“I pray to Che Kung every year, and thanks to Che Kung my life has been without many challenges,” she said.
338,000 wowed by Hong Kong’s first Lunar New Year fireworks in 5 years
Praying at the temple for the first time after all Covid-related restrictions were lifted, Lam said the courtyard was so packed with people she could not move.
“Last year, they only let in a small number of people into the courtyard each time because of Covid,” she said. “This year, although they orderly managed the people on the street, there wasn’t enough crowd control inside the temple.”
Another visitor surnamed Hui said he used to be agnostic, but the state of the world made him pray to Che Kung for the first time this year.
“I prayed for good health and world peace,” the 67-year-old said. “I was indifferent to gods and superstitions, but after I saw what’s happening in the world, such as wars, and as I’m getting older, I thought I needed spiritual sustenance.”
The temple had received more than 75,530 people by 6pm, according to its management.

Two men dressed as the Monkey King, a legendary character from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, posed for photos with revellers outside the temple and received the occasional lai see packets.
Vendors selling charms, festive decorations and pinwheels said sales were weaker compared with last year, but added they were optimistic that more people would show up in the afternoon.
Enter the Dragon: tens of thousands flock to Hong Kong Lunar New Year parade
Beo Chi, who set up his stall in front of the temple last year, had to rent another booth at the back of the market with less footfall this year due to increased rent prices.
“The bidding price for the same location increased 20 to 30 per cent this year so we could only afford this spot with our budget,” he said.
The vendor added that the crowd size seemed thinner this year and sales were about 10 per cent down over last year.
“It’s inevitable, people travel overseas when the borders open,” he said. “But I’m waiting for the afternoon when more people come, I’m sure business will peak then.”

The Che Kung Festival, which celebrates the commander’s birthday, falls on the second day of the first lunar month. But most people prefer to visit the temple on the third day as the time is traditionally considered to be inappropriate for visiting the homes of family and friends as squabbles can easily break out.
Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, chief of prominent rural body Heung Yee Kuk, visited the temple on Sunday and drew the “neutral” No 15 fortune stick for Hong Kong, which a fortune-teller said meant the city was trapped in the woods and had lost its way.
Hong Kong ‘trapped in forest’, needs precise policies: Lunar New Year prophecy
Written as a poem in Chinese, this year’s offering, roughly translated, read: “Holding an axe and entering a forest, looking for something not yet obtained. Wasting good material and losing one’s strength, offering oneself and waiting for the arrival of spring.”
The omen came with a brief explanation saying “financial endeavours might not be successful”.


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Hong Kong society

Tens of thousands of worshippers throng Hong Kong’s Che Kung Temple in search of good health, peace in Lunar New Year

Worshippers flock to Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. Photo: Eugene Lee

Worshippers offer incense sticks before the statue of deity Che Kung. Photo: Eugene Lee

A visitor greets a man dressed as the Monkey King outside Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. Photo: Eugene Lee

Devotee Lam Lam, 57, visits the Che Kung Temple to pray for a year of smooth sailing. Photo: Lo Hoi-ying

Hong Kong Lunar New Year fireworks: dragon pyrotechnics wow 338,000 spectators as display returns after 5 years

Spectacular red, green and gold pyrotechnics sparkle in the night sky above Victoria Harbour. Photo: Eugene Lee

Spectators say the display was amazing. Photo: Dickson Lee

The display ran for 23 minutes and prompted “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowds. Photo: Eugene Lee

A golden glow lights up the sky above Victoria Harbour. Photo: Dickson Lee

At the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Dickson Lee

Spectators wait for the fireworks at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Photo: Eugene Lee

Mobiles at the ready to capture the awe-inspiring show. Photo: Dickson Lee

Amateur photographers are set up for the perfect shot. Photo: Eugene Lee

Wayne Xin and his daughter Angela eagerly wait for the fireworks. Photo: Connor Mycroft

People have been gathering for hours to get prime viewing spots. Photo: Eugene Lee

Police officers set up crowd control barriers in Wan Chai. Photo: Eugene Lee

Lunar New Year prophecy reveals ‘Hong Kong is trapped in forest’, fortune-teller says as rural leader draws ‘neutral’ stick in annual ritual

Heung Yee Kuk chairman Kenneth Lau says he interpreted the fortune as meaning the government should outline more targeted policies to boost the economy. Photo: Eugene Lee

Heung Yee Kuk chairman Kenneth Lau takes part in the fortune stick drawing ritual at Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong will ‘thrive like a dragon’, city leader John Lee says amid celebrations of first day of Lunar New Year

Youngsters pose for photos at the Well-wishing Festival in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hongkongers flocked to the Well-wishing Festival in Lam Tsuen on Saturday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Chief Executive John Lee and his wife Janet Lee deliver their Lunar New Year message. Photo: Facebook/John KC Lee

Chief Secretary Eric Chan (second from right) visits a stall in Lam Tsuen. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Hong Kong

Society

Devotees light incense sticks before Che Kung statue and thank deity for tiding them over Covid pandemic
‘I pray to Che Kung every year, and thanks to Che Kung my life has been without many challenges,’ devotee says


Worshippers light incense sticks before Che Kung statue and thank deity for tiding them over Covid pandemic.


Tens of thousands of worshippers throng Hong Kong’s Che Kung Temple in search of good health, peace in Lunar New Year

Devotees light incense sticks before Che Kung statue and thank deity for tiding them over Covid pandemic ‘I pray to Che Kung every year, and thanks to Che Kung my life has been without many challenges,’ devotee says

Devotees light incense sticks before Che Kung statue and thank deity for tiding them over Covid pandemic

‘I pray to Che Kung every year, and thanks to Che Kung my life has been without many challenges,’ devotee says