The old Chi Kung Temple, Wan Chai

According to Chinese folk tales, Chi Kung was a living Buddha. He was very charitable, saving people from miseries, and lived a humble life. Though he ate and drank like anyone who was not a buddhist, he contended that the wine and good food could not lead him away from the Buddhist doctrine. It was believed that a great bubonic plague broke out in 1894 in Hong Kong, and people who lived in the area of Wanchai prayed to Chi Kung that he would save the people from this plague. Amazingly, their prayers were answered, and the people built a temple to honour him. Because of the current redevelopment plan in the Wanchai area, the Chi Kung Temple that was formerly on Queen's Road East was moved to the Tin Hau Temple on Tai Ping Shan Street in Sheung Wan.