Hou Wang Temple
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.
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.
See also
References
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (November 2009) |
- Grimwade, Gordon (2003), "Rediscovering Atherton Chinatown", in Locality Community History Magazine, Australian Centre for Public History, Broadway, NSW.
- Grimwade, Gordon (1995), "Of Gods, Timber and Maize: Cultural Heritage Management at Cedar Camp Atherton Chinatown, Queensland", in Histories of the Chinese in Australasia and the South Pacific, Museum of Chinese Australian History, Melbourne.