Religious freedom in Hong Kong is protected by law. Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism are some of the many religions and beliefs practiced in Hong Kong.
Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the dominant religions in China and has many followers in Hong Kong who worship in hundreds of temples across the territory.
Hong Kong's two largest Buddhist temples are the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island and the Chi Lin Nunnery on Diamond Hill. Po Lin is home to the world's tallest, seated, outdoor, bronze Buddha while Chi Lin is a cluster of temple structures built in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty using wooden dowelling and brackets instead of nails. Hong Kong's Buddhist temples often share both space and gods with Taoism.
Taoism
Taoism has many followers in Hong Kong. Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Protector of Seafarers, is worshipped widely. Other notable temples include the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Wong Tai Sin, the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, and the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road in Central. More information can be found on the website of Hong Kong Taoist Association.
Confucianism
Confucianism, which emphasises the importance of tradition and rites, is based on the teachings of Confucius. Hailed as an exemplary mentor for all ages, Confucius's birthday is celebrated on the 27th day of the eighth lunar month.
Christianity
There are about 660,000 Christians living in Hong Kong. The majority are Protestants and Roman Catholics.
Protestant Community
Hong Kong's 300,000 Protestants represent 50 denominations within 1,300 congregations. The largest are the Baptists followed by the Lutherans. Other major denominations in Hong Kong include Adventist, Anglican, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian and Salvation Army.
There are about 243,000 Catholics in Hong Kong. The diocese has its own administrative structure but maintains close links with the Pope and other Catholic communities around the world.
There are 52 parishes comprising 41 churches, 34 chapels and 27 halls for religious services conducted in Cantonese. Three-fifths of the parishes also provide services in English. The diocese has its own website where churches and services are listed in Chinese and English.
Islam
There are about 90,000 Muslims in Hong Kong, of whom some 30,000 are Chinese. With the majority of Muslims in the territory being locally born non-Chinese, the rest come from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Middle Eastern and African countries.
There are five principal masjids for daily prayers. The oldest is the Jamia Masjid located on Shelley Street in Central. The eight-storey Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre is found in Wan Chai while the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre is located in Tsim Sha Tsui. In Chai Wan, Muslims can pray at the Cape Collinson Mosque. The last masjid is found inside Stanley Prison. Travellers can check the prayer timetable for each mosque here.
Hinduism
The religious and social activities of Hong Kong's 40,000-strong Hindu community take place mainly in the Hindu Temple in Happy Valley. The temple is used for meditation, spiritual lectures, community activities and observance of major Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra and Holi . Engagement and marriage ceremonies (in accordance with the Marriage Ordinance) are performed in the temple according to Hindu rites. Other important services include the administration of last rites, making arrangements for cremation and related ceremonies and the maintenance of the Hindu crematorium at Cape Collinson.
Devotional music sessions and religious discourses are held every Sunday morning, followed by a free community meal that is also served on Monday evenings.
Sikhism
The around 8,000 Sikhs living in Hong Kong today are mainly the descendents of Sikh soldiers who first came to the territory as part of the British Armed Forces in the 19th century.
The Sikh Temple in Queen's Road East is the venue in which Hong Kong's Sikhs conduct their religious and social activities. Established in 1901, the temple provides daily religious services as well as free meals and limited accommodation for overseas visitors of any faith. It also houses a specialist library containing books on the Sikh religion and culture as well as a kindergarten for four to six year-olds.
Judaism
The settlement of the Jewish community in Hong Kong dates from the 1840s and comprises families drawn from different parts of the world.
Its three main synagogues are all located in the Central district on Hong Kong Island. The Ohel Leah Synagogue (Orthodox) provides daily, Sabbath and festival services while the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (Reform) provides Sabbath and festival services. Both share the same premises in Robinson Road. The Chabad Lubavitch located on in MacDonnell Road in Central has daily services.
Acknowledgements: we would like to thank Getty Images, the Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong Jockey Club, FEI,
Riding for the Disabled Association Limited, Xinhua & Fung Kai Yan for providing some of the pictures for this website
