Wan Chai MM2 Cafe - 2025 International Ji Gong Culture Festival Moves to Wan Chai for the First Time, 'Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai' Explores the Former Site of Ji Gong Temple, Traveling Through Time and Rediscovering Community Memories

Description

Hong Kong's first Ji Gong Temple was located in a narrow alley called Di Lung Lane on Queen's Road East in Wan Chai. Due to Ji Gong's successful exorcism of plague, the temple was always bustling with worshippers and was even considered a 'sacred site'. With urban redevelopment, the alley has now been demolished, and the community memories have faded. Organized by the International Ji Gong Culture Association and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the '2025 International Ji Gong Culture Festival' specially moves to Wan Chai. Starting from November 29th, for seven consecutive days, a series of guided exhibition events, 'Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai', will be held at a temple-themed restaurant just a stone's throw away from the former sacred site, leading the public to retrace Ji Gong's footsteps in Wan Chai of the past.

The 'Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai' events offer a dynamic and engaging experience, including guided tours of Wan Chai's ancient temple buildings, a handmade fan-shaped soap workshop named 'Fan of Goodness', and exhibitions on Ji Gong culture. The public can also actively participate in the events dressed in Ji Gong costumes provided by the organizers or freely roam around Wan Chai for photo opportunities.

The Ji Gong costume consists of eight pieces, which once set a Guinness World Record and sparked heated discussions. The standard Ji Gong costume includes a hat, a bag, a broken fan, a wine gourd, and Luo Han shoes, among others. The costume's theme is 'broken', reflecting Ji Gong's unconventional approach of using drunkenness and eccentricity to enlighten others.

Details of the 'Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai' events are as follows:                                                                         

Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai Exhibition
Date: November 29 - December 6
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Venue: Creative MM2 Cafe

 Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai Guided Tour (Pre-registration required)
Date: November 29 and December 6
Time: 14:00 – 16:0Multiplier: 00
Route: Hung Shing Temple - Tse Shan Hospital - Old Pawn Shop - Lee Tung Street - Wu Chung House (Former Site of Di Lung Lane) - Old Wan Chai Post Office - Old Wan Chai Market - Blue House - Pak Tai Temple

Handmade Fan-Shaped Soap Workshop (Pre-registration required)
In Ji Gong's legends, the broken fan he carries has the power to exorcise evil, turn stones into gold, and symbolize the goodness of the fan holder.
Date: December 6
Time: 10:30 – 12:00; 14:30 – 16:00
Venue: Creative MM2 Cafe

Limited-time Ji Gong Tea

During the 'Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai' exhibition, Creative MM2 Cafe will offer limited-edition Ji Gong tea.

 When Di Lung Lane in Wan Chai was demolished, the statue of Ji Gong and several cultural relics from the temple underwent a series of relocations and finally found a new home at the Tai Ping Shan Street Ji Gong Temple, managed by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. This event is jointly organized by the International Ji Gong Culture Association and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and it will take place at Creative MM2 Cafe, a temple-themed restaurant located next to Hung Shing Temple on Queen's Road East. Participants can also enjoy a cup of limited-time Ji Gong tea and light snacks at the cafe.

The opening event of the '2025 International Ji Gong Culture Festival' - the Chinese Religious Culture Forum, was successfully held on November 1st, gathering about 500 religious leaders from overseas and local communities at the Kwun Yam Lecture Hall in Tsuen Wan. The forum, themed 'Selfless Service for the Benefit of Others', explored issues related to Chinese religious beliefs and international religions, covering six major religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Islam, and Virtuous Religion. The guest of honor at the opening ceremony was Miss Mak Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs. The series of events to be held at the end of this month is a continuation of the International Ji Gong Culture Festival, and the public is welcome to participate.

The 'Ji Gong Culture in Wan Chai' events are open to the public, free of charge.