The Tianhou Museum in Shekou, also called Chiwan Tianhou Temple, has reopened recently after it was closed in late January due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Visitors should book their visit in advance on the Nanshan Museum’s WeChat account “nanshanmuseum” and then follow menu instructions, as Tianhou Museum is operated by Nanshan Museum.

Tianhou, also known as Mazu or Heavenly Queen, is the patron saint of seafarers and much revered throughout southern China’s coastal regions. The original temple was built in the late Song Dynasty (960-1279) and was said to be as large as 600,000 square meters and had 99 gates.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese mariner and diplomat Zheng He commanded expeditionary treasure voyages to Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Western Asia, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433. He was said to have been protected by Mazu, so the temple was refurbished at that time.

The temple was reconstructed many times with the latest reconstruction in 2016. Now covering 16,900 square meters, it also enjoys fame in Hong Kong, Macao and throughout Southeast Asia.

Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Mondays

Venue: Tianhou Museum, Chiwan Road 6, Nanshan District (南山区赤湾六路天后博物馆)

Metro: Line 2 to Chiwan Station (赤湾站), Exit B(Cao Zhen)