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On the way to Tai O, there is a rock construction on the left and above the trail level. We are curious to have a look.
It is a small construction, Sam Shan King Temple (三山國王廟).
There are not many Sam Shan King Temples in Hong Kong. In the record, there are three temples in Hong Kong, namely in Yung Shue Wan of Lamma Island, Ping Shek Estate at Kwun Tong Road and this one in Lantau.
Sham Shek Village should be a small village only, there are not too many old houses left. Basically most villagers should have left the village and there should be no inhabitant now.
This Sam Shan King Temple is located at a level higher than the walking trail. Along the trail, we can see this temple. The temple is still maintained in good condition, it was constructed with rocks. It should be built in 1971, implying that it is 43 years old in 2014. Even though the villagers cannot visit the temple daily, there should be regular visit by villagers to maintain hygiene and tidy up. At the time of our visit, there is no incense and fruits on the altar.
Sam Shan King is originated from the eastern region of Guangdong (廣東), and mainly in Chaozhou (潮州) Prefecture. This may imply that some Chaozhou people migrated to Sham Shek Tsuen on Lantau, they started to worshop Sam Shan King again in Hong Kong. Sam Shan King Temples are commonly found in Guangdong, South East Asia and Taiwan.
Yes, the couplet mentioned Chaozhou on the right. Sam Shan King helped the King of Song Dynasty (宋朝) to suppress revolt.
It is a temple to commemorate the doing of Sam Shan King.
Red colour is fading. Maybe, there is more than ten years after the last repaint.
There is a Sam Shan King Festival on the first month of Lunar Calendar.
In your upcoming hiking from Tung Chung to Tai O, please stop for a while to visit Sam Shan King Temple at Sham Shek Village.
San Shan King Temple
Sham Shek Tsuen, Lantau Island.
三山國王廟
大嶼山深石村
Islet Relics /2014
