Lin Fung Temple, Macau

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Lin Fung Miu

Lin Fung Temple, or Lin Fung Miu, is one of the finest Chinese temples in Macau. It is located along Avenida do Almirante Lacerda, on the northern part of the Macau Peninsula. Lin Fung Temple, or Temple of Lotus, is the only temple there of Taoist origin. It was built in 1592, close to the border with China, and was originally known as the Temple of the Goddess of Heaven.

The main hall of Lin Fung Temple is dedicated to Kun Iam, the Goddess of Mercy. The statue of Kun Iam stands on an ornate altar. The ceilings consist of massive black beams and exposed white tiles.

The temple was reconstructed in 1732. At the same time the shrine to Kun Iam was added. It was then known as Temple of Ci Hu. Another round of reconstruction took place in 1752, which again modified the aspect of the temple, and gave it another name, which was the New Temple.

The present name comes from the Hill of Lin Fong. It is following the example where Hua Shan Temple was named after Mount Hua Shan.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Lin Fung Temple provided accommodation to travelling Chinese officials, called Mandarins, between Macau and Canton. The temple is famous for the clay bas-relief façade depicting stories from Chinese history and mythology. In front of the temple is a pair of stone lions.

Inside the temple hall is an altar to Tin Hau. Flanking the deity are altars to General Thousand-Li Eye and General Favourable-Wind Ear. Further inside, there is a courtyard with a frieze of writhing dragons. It stands behind a stone pond filled with lotus plants.

Within the compound of Lin Fung Temple is the Lin Zexu Memorial Museum.