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.

The "Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong" Year of the Horse Fireworks Display lit up Victoria Harbour for 23 thrilling minutes, launching 31,888 fireworks in total. Large crowds of residents and tourists watched from both sides of the Victoria Harbour, counting down together before the display began, creating a high-spirited atmosphere.

Photo source: offered by the reader of Bastille Post

The fireworks display attracted large crowds of residents and tourists. Photo source: offered by the reader of Bastille Post

The display was presented in eight distinctive scenes, bursting with symbolic Chinese New Year images, with the accompaniment of Chinese New Year songs and popular songs to deliver New Year's blessings. The opening scene, "Galloping into the New Year", featured a high-density burst of fireworks resembling galloping horses charging forward, setting an energetic tone for the show. Following that, a series of fireworks in the shape of distinctive auspicious symbols, such as gold ingots, the Chinese character for "good fortune," and hearts, etc., were discharged. Additionally, the patterns of horseshoe, "HKJC," and "WIN", embodying the elements of sponsor, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, also lit up the night sky, symbolizing a promising start to the Year of the Horse and best wishes for good fortune for all.

The heart shape fireworks, Photo source: Threads @ fai12091

The fireworks in the "WIN" pattern

The spectacular fireworks display

The grand finale, "Triumphant Achievement", featured majestic crown-shaped fireworks followed by a rapid-fire sequence of high-density bursts, eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.

The fireworks display lit up the night sky over the Victoria Harbour.

Some residents said they hadn't watched fireworks on site for many years. Viewing the patterns of galloping horses on the LED screen of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre across the harbor, they felt like the Hong Kong people could be brave enough to keep running forward in the coming year. In their eyes, the most memorable scene was the grand finale, which they described as decorating the night sky with thousands of dazzling stars.

The fireworks display has left a deep impression on both residents and tourists.

The impressive fireworks display

A tourist from Xi'an Province said it was his first time watching fireworks in Hong Kong. He especially loved the grand finale. Besides the spectacular fireworks, the energetic music on site also made him excited, letting him feel that the trip to Hong Kong was well worth it.