High Island Tin Hau Temple: A 280-Year-Old Sacred Stop on Hong Kong's Geopark Tour
High Island Tin Hau Temple: A 280-Year-Old Sacred Stop on Hong Kong's Geopark Tour
・ Author name: Hansley Tam
・ Publish date: 9/11/2026
A Temple Older Than the Geopark Itself
Most people book a Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark tour for the rocks. The hexagonal volcanic columns. The sea arches. The 140-million-year-old geology.
Then the yacht pulls into High Island in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, and you step onto land for a stop that has nothing to do with volcanoes—and everything to do with the people who have lived on these waters for centuries.
High Island Tin Hau Temple (糧船灣天后古廟) is a Grade III historic building, and it's one of the land stops on the Splitdyboat Geopark Yacht Tour. It's easy to walk past if you're distracted by the scenery. Don't. This temple holds nearly three centuries of Hong Kong maritime history inside its walls.
What Makes This Temple Special
The Bell That Told Fishermen the Time
Inside the temple hangs a bronze bell cast in the 6th year of the Qianlong reign (1741). Before watches and radios existed, the temple acolyte would ring this bell to alert fishermen to the time. It's one of the temple's most treasured artefacts, and it's still there.
The "Three Treasures" of the Temple
Local accounts describe the temple's prized relics as a trio: the Qianlong bronze bell, a Guangxu-era altar relief (1885), and a dragon sedan chair used to carry the Tin Hau statue during festivals. Together, they represent generations of fishermen's devotion to the Goddess of the Sea.
Architecture with Stories in the Details
The temple is a traditional Lingnan-style structure with fine ceramic sculptures of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum on its roof beams, and murals depicting deities on its walls. Look up. The craftsmanship is the kind you don't see in new buildings.
A Grade III Historic Building
The temple was rated a Grade III historic building in 2010, recognising its architectural and historical value. It's not the flashiest temple in Hong Kong. It's not meant to be. It's a village temple that has survived because the community kept coming back.
The Festival That Brings the Island Back to Life
Most of High Island's residents moved away decades ago. But every two years, for the Tin Hau Festival, they return.
The celebration lasts four days and five nights, combining the Tin Hau Festival with the Taiping Qingjiao (太平清醮) rites. In 2019, the festival raised HKD 3 million in donations, provided free boats to bring visitors to the island, and hosted dozens of盆菜 (basin meal) banquets. A marine parade carries the Tin Hau statue across the waters, with decorated boats and lion dances filling the harbour.
In 2021, Hong Kong's Tin Hau Festival was added to the national intangible cultural heritage list. The High Island temple is at the heart of that living tradition.
If you're lucky enough to visit during a festival year, you'll see a side of Hong Kong that feels a world away from the city.
Why This Stop Matters on a Geopark Tour
The Geopark is famous for its rhyolitic columnar rock formation—light-coloured volcanic rock rich in silica, unlike the dark basalt columns found elsewhere, making it globally rare and one of the First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites. That's the headline.
But the Geopark is also a living landscape. People have lived, fished, worshipped, and celebrated here for centuries. The Tin Hau Temple is where that human story becomes tangible. You walk in, see the bell, see the dragon sedan, and suddenly the sea outside isn't just scenery—it's a workplace, a highway, and a source of fear and faith.
That's what a land stop gives you that a boat view can't.
Practical Details
Where: High Island (Leung Shuen Wan), Sai Kung
Tour stop: Included in the Splitdyboat Yacht Geopark Tour as a land stop (walk)
Duration: Short walk-and-visit—enough time to see the temple and take photos
Accessibility: Suitable for children and elderly; the walk is gentle
Note: The temple is an active place of worship. Dress respectfully and keep noise down.
FAQ
Is the High Island Tin Hau Temple included in the Geopark tour?
Yes—it's listed as a land stop on the Splitdyboat Yacht Geopark Tour itinerary.
How old is the temple?
The bell inside dates to 1741, and the temple is generally dated to the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.
Can I visit during the Tin Hau Festival?
The festival happens every two years. Check with Splitdyboat for dates if you want to coincide with it.
Is it suitable for kids and elderly?
Yes. The land stop involves light walking and is designed for all ages.
Final Thoughts: The Stop You Didn't Expect to Remember
You came for the volcanic columns. You'll leave remembering the bell that told fishermen when to come home.
👉 Book your Splitdyboat UNESCO Global Geopark Yacht Tour at splitdyboat.com — daily departures, and the High Island Tin Hau Temple waiting on the route.
This blog post is sponsored by Splitdyboat.