CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: As one of the most festive cities in Asia to celebrate Chinese New Year, Hong Kong boasts a vibrant range of celebrations around every corner. In recent years, a lot of traditional customs have been modernised with novel interpretations, blending cultural heritage and innovation for an unparalleled festive experience. Among the highlights is the myriad of fortune-enhancing activities that attract travellers to various temples, where they can immerse themselves in refreshing spiritual traditions like never before.
Wong Tai Sin Temple: Fortune-Seeking Meets Interactive Technology
Visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple to seek blessings for the year ahead, where it is best known for its reputation of making most wishes come true. Every Chinese New Year, droves of worshippers flock to the temple on the night of New Year’s Eve (i.e. 28 January 2025), racing to offer the sacred “first incense” to the deity at midnight on the first day of the year, symbolising a propitious beginning and a good omen.
If you miss the midnight rush, visiting Wong Tai Sin during the first lunar month is also considered an auspicious way to kick off the new year. Many people who wish for a year of smooth sailing like to pay respect to their respective Taisui (the 60 deities in charge of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs combined with the five elements of Chinese astrology) at the beginning of the year, making the Taisui Yuenchen Hall one of the most popular spots at Wong Tai Sin Temple. The magnificent hall features a starry LED sky dome with constellations that create an otherworldly atmosphere. Worshippers standing beneath the dome can hear their own voices echo as they pray, creating a sense of divine connection. When placing the petition document into the cabinet in front of the Tai Sui shrine, worshippers will be greeted by a misty special effect with glowing red light, symbolising the deities’ acceptance of the devotee’s intentions.
What’s more, the temple offers an interactive LED wishing wall at its Cultural Centre for Wong Tai Sin Belief and Customs. Upon entering their name and wishes digitally via a QR code, visitors can see them displayed instantly on the wall that stretches from the centre exterior to the interior, across the ceiling, witnessing their wishes “ascend to heaven”.
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