Hou Wang Temple
Encyclopedia
The Hou Wang Temple is a historic Chinese temple on Herberton Road in Atherton
, Queensland
, Australia
. The temple and the land it stands on was purchased by a group of Chinese families, who donated it to the National Trust
. The temple's restoration was completed on 15 September 2002, and it now includes an art gallery and interpretation centre. The temple and gallery are open to the public seven days a week.
It is one of only two or three temples outside China known to be dedicated to Hou Wang and is the only surviving timber and iron temple in Queensland. The temple contains a substantial number of original artifacts. Most were made in China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially for this temple. They include a clapperless bell manufactured about 1895 and numerous intricately carved timber panels.
It was once the socio-religious focus for over 1,000 Chinese residents in the area. They worked as timber cutters, market gardeners and maize growers.
Atherton, Queensland
Atherton is a town on the Atherton Tablelands of Far North Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Atherton had a population of 7,068.-Roads:...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The temple and the land it stands on was purchased by a group of Chinese families, who donated it to the National Trust
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
. The temple's restoration was completed on 15 September 2002, and it now includes an art gallery and interpretation centre. The temple and gallery are open to the public seven days a week.
History
The Hou Wang Temple is located on Herberton Road in Atherton, a short walk from Platypus Park. The temple was built in 1903 and is one of the oldest original Chinese temples in Australasia.It is one of only two or three temples outside China known to be dedicated to Hou Wang and is the only surviving timber and iron temple in Queensland. The temple contains a substantial number of original artifacts. Most were made in China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially for this temple. They include a clapperless bell manufactured about 1895 and numerous intricately carved timber panels.
It was once the socio-religious focus for over 1,000 Chinese residents in the area. They worked as timber cutters, market gardeners and maize growers.