Stepping Into the Year of the Fire Horse: A Cultural Visit to Wong Tai Sin Temple
On January 29th, as the Lunar New Year approached, the Mandarin department at the TKO campus organized a cultural outing for our 5ème students studying Mandarin: a visit to the renowned Wong Tai Sin Temple (黄大仙祠 Huángdàxiān Cí), located in the New Territories. During this immersive cultural experience, our students not only soaked in the festive atmosphere of traditional Chinese celebrations but also gained insight into local Taoist rituals.
The Chinese New Year, which marks the first day of the traditional lunisolar calendar, is also known as the Spring Festival (春节 Chūn Jié). This year, it falls on February 17th of the Gregorian calendar, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse for Chinese families around the world.
Student reflections:
"Last Thursday, I went to Wong Tai Sin Temple and absolutely loved the trip! I remembered the story of the twelve zodiac animals—the Emperor's race and how the clever rat won. It's such a fascinating tale! I also learned about the practice of Kau Chim, where prayers are answered with 'What you ask, you shall receive'—or 有求必應 in Chinese. I saw many people praying to Wong Tai Sin, the God of healing. There were also small shrines dedicated to praying for business prosperity or financial security. I really liked the ponds and all the coins resting in the water. I also enjoyed our free time because it allowed me to explore the temple at my own pace and notice all the intricate details. That's what I thought of our trip to Wong Tai Sin Temple!" - Matthieu
"I think Wong Tai Sin Temple is absolutely beautiful—spectacular and vast, covering 18,000 square meters. Its architecture is impressive and deeply traditional, reflecting Taoist culture. The religious practices are both significant and fascinating. My favorite spot was the area around the fish pond because it's peaceful and spacious." - Jeremy
