Shenzhen’s status as a relatively new city in China sometimes leaves inhabitants to feel that it is void of any culture or historic spirit. Although it is a booming metropolis filled with any urban delight one could possibly crave, sometimes it’s nice to take a step back in time and explore the rich culture and deep history for which China is best known. Shenzhen holds a number of cultural gems within its borders, one of which comes in the form of religious temples. So next time you’re looking to get in touch with a deeper side of China, look no further than this list of temples in Shenzhen to guide your way.

1) Hong Fa TempleView In Map
Hong Fa Temple is arguably Shenzhen’s only major Buddhist temple. It is housed within the Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, a picturesque property located in the Wutong Mountains. The temple’s expansive design allows for leisurely exploration and its location within the botanical garden makes it the ideal destination for a day of roaming around. While the lake itself is the biggest draw and should not be missed, the temple and other attractions are guaranteed to please.

Add: Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Lian Tang Area, Xianhu Road, Yantian District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市盐田区 莲塘仙湖路160号仙湖植物园内, 弘法寺
Opening hours: 6:00-18:00
Price: 20 RMB, Botanical Garden; admission to the temple is free
Getting there: Take bus 468 from Hua Qiang Bei to the final stop, Xian Hu (Fairy Lake) Park where you can board a shuttle bus to the temple gate

2) Tian Hou TempleView In Map
The Tian Hou Temple is an ancient attraction situated in western Shenzhen’s Chiwan Village. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea and was built for the fisherman to receive blessing. It was originally built in 1410, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since. The temple grounds overlook a shipyard and feature two museums for exploration. The ponds are an interesting sight, in the shape of the sun and the moon to represent yin and yang with the goddess balancing them in the middle. Also located near the temple is the royal tomb of the Southern Song Dynasty’s last emperor.

Add: Small Nanshan Mountain, Chiwan Village, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市南山区赤湾村旁小南山下, 赤湾天后宫
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
Price: 15 RMB
Getting there: The temple is located in the port area of Chiwan in Nanshan District.  Take one of the many buses traveling along Shennan Road to Nantou then transfer to bus 225 to Tian Hou Miao

3) Guan Gong TempleView In Map
This temple is dedicated to a fierce warrior from the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Within the temple, you will find a huge statue of the warrior himself, Guan Gong. This is an active temple with offering tables and fortunetellers. Look on as people pray or purchase your own incense or oil and participate yourself. In the courtyard, be sure to admire the statue depicting a famous scene from the novel with three generals taking an oath of brotherhood.

Add: South side of Zhongshan Park, 3109 Nanshan Dadao, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市南山区南山大道3109号中山公园南侧, 南头关帝庙
Price: free
Getting there: Take bus 204 to the Nantou stop and find the temple gate located just before the gate of Xinan Old Town

4) Lamasery Replica, China Folk Culture VillageView In Map
This simulation lamasery (喇嘛庙), or Tibetan monastery, is located in the China Folk Culture Village in Shenzhen. This park was opened in late 1991, and features simulated villages of China's 55 ethnic minorities. The Lamasery serves as a museum for demonstrating Tibetan culture, but is not an active place of worship. It is located in the Tibet area of the theme park and features traditional Tibetan prayer wheels with a Tibetan-style house nearby.

Add: Shennan Dadao, Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
地址：深圳市南山区华侨城中深南大道中段西端, 中国民俗文化村
Opening hours: 10:00-21:00
Price: 150 RMB, China Folk Culture Village; entrance to the lamasery is free
Getting there: The China Folk Culture Village is located on Shennan Dadao. Take the Luobao line to Overseas Chinese Town and follow exit D to reach the park

5) Chen Yang Hou TempleView In Map
This temple is said to date back to the Ming Dynasty, but was most recently rebuilt in 1994. It is located in one of Shenzhen’s oldest and most prosperous regions, Xia Sha Village. The temple is nestled within a park area also containing statues of well-known Buddhist and Taoist figures. The streets of the park are lined with lampposts representing popular characters from Chinese literature.

Add: Xia Sha Village, Jinsha Road, Xia Sha Avenue, Futian District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市福田区金沙西路下沙大道下沙村, 陈杨侯庙
Price: free
Getting there: Take the Luobao line to Che Gong Miao and either walk or take a cab to the intersection of Xiangmihu and Binhe Roads where you’ll find the gate to Xia Sha Village. Follow the road to the center of the village where the temple is located

6) San Sheng TempleView In Map
Dedicated to the "Three Saints" of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, this temple is believed to be one of the newest in Shenzhen. The figures within the temple represent the two keys to success: scholarly achievement and military might, particularly popular in Cantonese-speaking areas. Two other popular figures, the Goddess of Mercy and the God of Wealth are also featured in this temple. Located within Meilin Park, the temple is easy to spot atop a hill near the Meilin Reservoir.

Add: Guli Area, Meilin Park, Meilin Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
地址: 深圳市福田区梅林路梅林公园古荔区, 三圣庙
Price: free
Getting there: Take a public bus (2, 15, 30, 35, 45, 60, 201, 222, 242, 334, 361, 374) to Meilin Yi Cun and walk along the street beyond KFC and Carrefour toward the reservoir. Enter the park and follow the path to the temple at the top of the hill

7) Phoenix Mountain Temple and Dragon King TempleView In Map
If you venture into Shenzhen’s northwestern part, you’ll find two small Buddhist temples. The first is a small but popular Phoenix Mountain Temple, constructed by a general during the Southern Song Dynasty and overlooking a pond. The second, located further up the mountain, is the Dragon King Temple named after the well-known character from Chinese folk tales. Both of these temples boast a large number of tourists and worshippers alike. Apart from being notable religious landmarks, they are architectural wonders filled with elaborate details that anyone will enjoy.

Add:  Phoenix Village, Fuyong Street, Bao’an District, Shenzhen
地址:  深圳市宝安区福永街道凤凰社区, 凤凰山龙王庙
Price: free
Getting there: Take a public bus 301, 331, 337, 362, 615, 668, M242, M310 or M396 to Xin Tian Chun Wei stop; the temple is 100 meters from the bus stop

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Keywords: temples in Shenzhen