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Restoration for Temple of Two Gods completed
A rehabilitation ceremony to mark the opening of I Shing Kung, which literally means the Temple of Two Gods, in Yuen Long will be held tomorrow (Wednesday).
The temple was declared a monument in June 1996 and is one of the 63 in Hong Kong.
Being a rare surviving example of its kind, it has retained most of its original features. The green-brick two hall structure has an open courtyard, with covered aisles on both sides. The left aisle was formerly used as a kitchen to prepare basin meals during the Ta Chiu Festival. The roof ridge is of simple geometric design and wall friezes are decorated with leafy and floral moulding.
The temple was built by the villagers in Wang Chau area in Yuen Long to worship the two deities, Hung Shing and Che Kung. According to inscriptions on the temple bell, which is the oldest surviving relic, the building was probably constructed in the 57th year of the Kangxi reign (1718) of the Qing Dynasty.
Other relics of the temple include couplets, plaques and bronze incense burners.
The Jockey Club funded restoration was carried out by the Architectural Services Department under the supervision of the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Branch. It took six months to complete.
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Garrison to open gates to public for the last time
Ships, helicopters and assault craft will feature in spectacular action displays when the Royal Navy and the territory's own soldiers, the Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) open the gates of Stonecutters Island to the public this weekend.
On what will be the last ever Open Days held by the British Garrison, the two branches of the Armed Services will be mounting a weekend-long programme of public events on Saturday (November 23) and Sunday (November 24).