A Trip To Binondo : Kuang Kong Temple
After that long wait in Shanghai Fried Siopao, we decided to hit our next destination, a small and seemingly unnoticeable temple hidden in a building in a humble street of Kipuja! The temple is known as Kuann Kong (Kuan Kong , Guan Gong) which is named after the Chinese God of War. It is also known as the Chinese-Buddhist Temple. The temple is accessible through a building and is situated on the top most floor (you can use either the stair or the elevator to reach it)
The Kipuja St sign. It was a very narrow street and without this signage, the place is quite hard to locate!
Unlike the Seng Guan Temple, this one is relatively small. You will be welcomed with a similar set up. You’ll find a bowl of Ashes and an Altar featuring the statue of Kuang Kong, the Chinese god of war and is also one of the Chinese gods of wealth who provides wealth and prosperity. Kuan Kong is also the guardian of all business owners, politicians and leaders in general.
Upon doing a research, I learned that the two other statues beside Kuang Kong are the Jade Emperor and Pia Be Kong.
Sorry, I can’t read Chinese but this sign will welcome you when you enter the building. Care to translate?
The entrance to the Kuang Kong Temple
The temple is also known for their fortune telling not through a fortune teller but through the red wooden half moons. We saw this man doing the ritual. It goes like this, you just have to formulate a question that is answerable by Yes or No. Now take two wooden red moon and let them drop on the floor. If the same two halves face up, wishes and requests can be granted but if they don’t then it’s the other way around.
Bundle of sticks similar to what we have seen in Seng Guan Temple.
You can also offer incense sticks and wish for a much more prosperous year ahead!
Outside, you’ll see a huge candle rack where people can offer prayers and ask for their petitions by lighting up red candles (I’m not sure if it should always be red though). Beside this rack is a huge wood stove where you can burn the paper money.
It was just a quick trip and we didn’t stay that long. We left the area after making out petitions and offer prayers. After the Kuang Kong, we headed to another known church in Binondo, the Sta Cruz Church!
Next Entry: Sta Cruz Church in Binondo
Check Out The Rest of My Binondo Trip Here
Binondo Church │Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz│Nuestra Señora Dela Soledad De Manila Parish │Cafe Mezzanine │Seng Guan Temple│Lion and Dragon Dances │Lucky China Town │Cosplayers In Binondo│Sto Cristo De Longos De Binondo│Dong Bei Dumplings │Shanghai Fried Siopao│Kuang Kong Temple│Sta Cruz Parish Church │Sincerity Restaurant │Ho-Land & Eng Bee Tin
Hey, I am surprised you were allowed to take photos. Normally, temples do not allow that. Hahaha. It must have been a sight to behold for you. 🙂
haha I actually thought someone from the temple will approach me but nobody did. Prior of taking pictures, we took time to offer prayers and petitions… i wish I tried the fortune telling but I was not aware of the ritual that time haha
One of the places I want to explore with my family is Binondo. We’ve been there a few times only. I hope we can discover more places there in the future.
I stayed in Manila for over 5 years yet I have never been to these temples in Binondo. After reading this, I regret not visiting. 🙁
Great..thanks for the share..glad to know of different places around the world
that is indeed a very Chinese temple, all is up and nothing seems to be missing.. as for the welcome sign you asked, it basically says that is a temple offered to Guan Gong, the first character from the left means temple, the last on the right is the surname Guan, the middle words form a respectful title given to him..
The temple looks great, you wouldn’t say it is on top of a building! I like the way you described the fortune telling tradition with the half moons. I suppose the answers stay in your luck. 🙂
Oh, this is a nice trip. You gave me an idea. Thanks for sharing!
This makes me want to visit Taoist Temple here in Cebu again. It’s been so long since I last went there actually. Field trip pa nung high school. Hehe.
xx, Janine | Wandering Ella
It’s such a tourist-y thing for me to say, but I have never been to one. Thanks for sharing. The temple looks surreal. I have always had a fascination with Chinese culture.
-Gino of http://www.dropdeaddapper.com
Want to go to this temple also! Nice photos! 🙂
You’ve got great photos! Would love to visit the temple as well 🙂
So beautiful, you are lucky to have seen and experienced it. I’ve always wanted to visit a Buddhist Temple.
Ang astig nito milton, i actually dont know na may mga ganito sa binondo. Usually ang thinking ko kapag ganito e you need to travel s ibng country pa just to have a taste of temple, hindi pala! 🙂
I’ve been to Binondo several times but I always head to the eateries. I’ve never visited a temple there. Thanks for sharing this, now I know where to find one in Binondo.
You have such great pictures! You would be success doing just that. I’ve never been at Binondo but I have been in Hong Kong (just for a few hours, and I loved it!). Seems like a great place to add to my list.
I love the pictures and as well the filter you put on them. They look really artsy and inspire me. I was thinking the same as Robert; how did you do it, taking those pictures haha! Now I know 😉
I love your photos!! I was thinking the same as Sir. Robert! Before, my friends and I have visited a temple in Manila but sadly we are not allowed to take photos. Anyway, a great post indeed!!
Another list to visit in Binondo, will look forward to explore binondo soon. Thanks for sharing!
I explored a lot of Manila but I really haven’t been to Binondo yet, I will consider this too. Thanks.
This place looks amazing. Such wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing
This is a nice alternative to weekend bonding, instead of the usual malling. I’ve always been fascinated with temples though I’ve never been in one yet. Need to schedule a Binondo trip myself soon!
How come I didn’t see this place. I would have loved to try the half
moon fortune telling. I saw that in a movie actually, I just forgot which movie was it. But yeah, now I have to go back to Binondo for this, I wanna see the temple myself.
Ive never been to temples here in Pinas but ive visited one is malaysia, singapore and hongkong and they would require us to wear a long skirt or sarong becAuse i was wearing shorts. Glad that you enjoyed your visit here… I wish i can visit one too in Binondo 🙂
I want to experience how it is to enter the temple and light the red candles. Binondo is such a traditional place when you look at it.
I went to this temple last Chinese new year and performed the rituals. It’s a bit hidden, but there’s the charm 🙂
The temple looks so eclectic. There is a red hue in all your pictures, which makes it look like that.
You really did a thorough visit to almost every corner of Binondo, haha. Good job educating those who do not frequent the place
I love to visit historical places and temples. Thanks for sharing. Wasn’t aware about this one 🙂
The Chinese you wanted to be translated
Translation: Prince Guan Gong Temple (Guan Gong Fu Zi Miao)
Yay! Thanks for dropping by Henri.. I really appreciate your answer
Hi, the entrance sign says:
Ongpin Heritage Site (王彬古蹟 “Ongpin kochiak”)
Kuan Seng Temple (關聖夫子廟 “Koanseng Huchubio”)
The other sign reads
Congratulations! (慶祝 “kheng-chiok”)
Master Kuan Sieng’s Birthday (關聖夫子 聖誕 “Kuan Sieng huchu sieng-tan”)
February 20, 2016 CE (國曆2月20日 “kok-la di-ge diap-dit”; 國曆 in context is the Gregorian Calendar)
January 13, 4713 (農曆正月十三日 “long-la tsia-ge tsap-sah-dit”; 農曆 is the traditional Chinese calanedar)
no idea on what 六期星 (lak-ki-sen) could mean…