Demolished Lam Tin Kwun Yum Temple to be rebuilt by 2028

The Kwun Yum Temple in Lam Tin is set to be rebuilt nearly 15 years after its demolition, with the project expected to be completed in 2028, in the hope it will become a religious tourist destination.

The original temple was torn down in 2011 for safety reasons after its roof collapsed during maintenance and renovation, while its sacred statues are currently housed in temporary worship spaces nearby.

According to Lam Tin Kwun Yum Temple Limited, the site still attracts around 200 worshippers daily during key events such as the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month, the Kwun Yum Festival, and the Hungry Ghost Festival.

The new temple is planned to be rebuilt on its original site, keeping the floor area and height consistent with the original structure, which is approximately 35 square meters wide and 3.66 meters high. 

The temple authorities mentioned that besides providing a proper home for the three sacred statues, the new temple will also offer a covered and dignified space for religious ceremonies and rites.

As early as 2020, the company submitted a short-term tenancy application to the Lands Department to begin reconstruction. However, the project was stalled because the required structural safety and geotechnical assessment reports for the slope within the site area were not completed.

The planning application approved by the Town Planning Board in 2021 expired last year, requiring a reapplication.

Kwun Tong district councillor Hung Kam-in said rebuilding the temple has long been a wish for many of its followers, and that he anticipates visitor numbers will increase after the reconstruction.

He added that the project would not only promote folk religious culture but could also connect with other nearby temples to establish a religious tourism hub in the district.