Tin Hau Temple and Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay, Sai Kung

Located at Joss House Bay at Tai Au Mun Road of Clear Water Bay in Sai Kung, Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay is said to have built in the 2^nd year of the Hsienshun reign (1266) of the Southern Song Dynasty and is the oldest one among all existing Tin Hau temples in the coastal areas of Guangdong. Being the largest Tin Hau temple in Hong Kong, worshippers usually called it "Tai Miu" which means the "Great Temple".

The Temple is beautifully decorated and has lots of historical relics such as a ceremonial pot and a copper bell which were respectively made in the 4^th year of Jiaqing (1804) reign and the 20th year of Daoguang (1840) reign of the Qing Dynasty. The Temple was declared a monument in 2023.

The Temple is dedicated to Tin Hau, also known as “Matsu”, who was said to be a native in Fujian Province called Lam Mak Leung during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). According to legend, she had gifted power and saved many people from sea disasters. The seafarers therefore worship Tin Hau and regard her as their patron saint.

During the Tin Hau Festival on the 23^rd day of the 3^rd lunar month, thousands of worshippers throng the Temple to pay tribute to Tin Hau. They also go to the annex hall to fumble under the quilt on Tin Hau’s Dragon Bed for grabbing good luck, which they believe will bring babies to the family, health and fortune.

There is a large rock near the Temple. The date marked on the inscription carved on the rock is the cyclical year of jiaxu of Hsienshun reign, i.e. the 10^th year of Hsienshun reign (1274) of the Southern Song Dynasty, making this the oldest dated inscription to have been found in Hong Kong. The inscription also relates the history of the Temple. The Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay was declared a monument in 1979.