When Kowloon Peninsula was ceded to the British in 1860 following the second Opium War, Yau Ma Tei was on the shore with a bay filled with fishing boats. Because Tin Hau is revered as the goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen, it’s only natural that a Tin Hau Temple was erected in Yau Ma Tei around the same time.

In fact, there are almost 100 Tin Hau temples throughout Hong Kong, testimony to its long history connecting it to the sea. Because of its proximity to both the Jade Market and Temple Street Night markets, this small temple is the one most visitors are likely to see.

There are many legends surrounding Tin Hau, a native of Fujian Province. One says that as a young girl she met a Taoist priest, who taught her how to predict the future and help the sick and weak. She also is said to have traveled the sea on a reed mattress to save drowning people and protected fishermen by predicting storms.