Large Numbers of Residents visited the Che Kung Temple to Pray for Good Fortune and Good Health in the Year of the Horse

On the third day of the Chinese New Year (February 19th), many residents visited the Che Kung Temple in Shatin to pray for blessings. Long queues started at the entrance of the temple, with the police present to maintain order.

On the third day of the Chinese New Year (February 19th), many residents visited the Che Kung Temple in Shatin to pray for blessings. Photo by Bastille Post

The temple was bustling with people burning incense, while the windmills were moving with the wind along the way. The residents lined up patiently, entered the temple one by one to sincerely offer incense, praying for peace and prosperity in the new year. Many citizens also drew fortune sticks in the temple, hoping to pray for good blessings for the Year of the Horse.

The temple was bustling with people burning incense. Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Many citizens also drew fortune sticks in the temple, hoping to pray for good blessings for the Year of the Horse. Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Kang and her family came to the Che Kung Temple to experience the characteristic New Year celebrations in Hong Kong, after enjoying the fireworks display on the second day of the Chinese New Year. She said that the festive atmosphere was very lively on the site. Looking forward to the new year, she hoped that everything could go well, her family could be healthy, and her daughter could make academic progress.

Ms. Kang and her daughter, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Lo, a resident from Yuen Long, said he kept visiting the Che Kung Temple every year to offer incense and pray for blessings. He said that since he might have come early today, he felt that the flow of people at the scene was not too much. If he came later, there would be long queues. He described himself as in a good mood and bought a beautiful windmill to put at home to pray for a smooth new year. As for his New Year's wish, he said that the most important thing was "achieving good health".

Mr. Lo, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chan came from Kowloon Bay to offer incense and pray for blessings with his son. He said he would visit the Che Kung Temple on the third day of the Chinese New Year every year to pray for good luck in the new year. He mentioned that, due to the crowd control measures on the site, the incense offering process was orderly without being chaotic. Otherwise, as in the past, “it might take two hours to get out from the temple since every corner would be filled with people”. Regarding his New Year's wish, Mr. Chan said he hoped for "world peace and good health for his family". As for his son, the little boy hoped to make academic progress and fulfill all his wishes in the new year.

Mr. Chan and his son, Photo by Bastille Post

Another 7-year-old child, Yeung Hou Tin, came to the Che Kung Temple from Ma On Shan with his parents. He mentioned that his family has the habit of visiting the Che Kung Temple during the New Year. Seeing the lively atmosphere at the scene today, he felt joyful and excited. He hoped that not only he could make academic progress in the new year, but also that everyone around him could "achieve good luck and prosperity".

Yeung Hou Tin, Photo by Bastille Post

There was also a New Year market installed at the exit of the Che Kung Temple, selling a range of New Year items for people who came to worship to bring the festive atmosphere home and keep the blessings and good luck for the coming year.

The New Year market at the Che Kung Temple, Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Wong, a windmill stall owner at the market, said the flow of people this year was similar to that in the past. As for the sales performance of his stall, it was proportional to the flow of people, remaining roughly the same as in previous years. Moreover, he mentioned that the popular product at his stall recently was the windmill, among which, the most popular type was the "tiny" one since it could be placed at home easily to maintain blessings for all year round.

Mr. Wong, Photo by Bastille Post

In addition, Mr. Chan Joon Sun, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management), visited the police officers on duty at the Che Kung Temple on the morning of the third day of the Chinese New Year. Besides, he also visited the promotional booth set up by the Sha Tin Police District Headquarters outside the Che Kung Temple to chat with the public and distribute Chinese New Year couplets to them.

The Che Kung Temple, Photo by Bastille Post

In response to the media, Mr. Chan said he hoped Hong Kong's economy would get better and safer, and residents would happily welcome the Year of the Horse. He added that the police had effectively managed the crowd at the Che Kung Temple, keeping good order in the morning.

Although the Chinese New Year holiday has passed, the Hong Kong Science Museum is still full of festive joy. Recently, a netizen shared on their social platform that the exhibits at the museum's permanent exhibition, "Extinction · Resilience" had been decorated for the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Photo source: FB image

The Exhibits have been Equipped with Festive Decorations

The arctic fox statue wears a vibrant red and white lion dance headdress, with a pair of knitted tangerines resting nearby. Another statue of a goat is also adorned with oranges, adding to the festive décor. Meanwhile, the lifelike animatronic Tyrannosaurus “Paul” playfully “holds” festive hanging charms and sways its body, bringing the scene to life and capturing everyone’s attention.

The arctic fox statue wears a vibrant red and white lion dance headdress. Photo source: FB image

The lifelike animatronic Tyrannosaurus “Paul” playfully “holds” festive hanging charms and sways its body. Photo source: FB image

The Exhibits have been Personally Decorated by the Staff

Such eye-catching decorations were thoughtfully installed by the staff of the Hong Kong Science Museum. The museum explained on social media that some of its exhibits would be adorned with Chinese New Year elements to create festive photo opportunities for visitors every year. The highlight exhibit, the lifelike animatronic Tyrannosaurus "Paul", has been "holding" festive hanging charms to extend New Year greetings to the public for consecutive years, which has become a Chinese New Year celebration tradition in the museum.

The eye-catching decorations were thoughtfully installed by the staff of the Hong Kong Science Museum. Photo source: FB image

Netizens Left Comments on Social Media and Praised the Museum's Creativity

Related photos and videos have gone viral online, with netizens leaving comments and praising the museum's creativity. Some said the strong festive atmosphere has turned the museum into a must-visit attraction in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year. Some said "Paul" looked quite energetic and joyful with the decorations, while others even came up with some "inner monologues" for "Paul", such as "Rex: Wu~~~~Kung Hei Fat Choy!", "I wish you boundless energy!!!! Roar!!!!" The series of playful Chinese New Year decorations has not only added a festive touch to the exhibition, but also showcased the museum's people-friendly approach to blending education with entertainment.