Welcome to the Tam Kung Temple! 歡 迎 到 譚公廟 Bienvenue au Temple Tam Kung!
Welcome to the Tam Kung Temple! 歡 迎 到 譚公廟 Bienvenue au Temple Tam Kung!
1713 Government Street, Victoria, BC - Respectfully acknowledging that we serve on the traditional, unceded territories of the Lekwungen People represented today by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations
A cornerstone in Victoria's Historic Chinatown and standing tall since 1876, the Tam Kung Temple is a cherished landmark for Chinese Canadian history via Trans-Pacific migration.
A City of Victoria Heritage Building and recently designated a National Historic Site by the Government of Canada our cultural ties and customs are anchored here by the strength and resilience of our ancestors.
All are welcome to this place of peace and respite, for contemplation and for community.
To experience Tam Kung Temple's rich history we invite you to visit and support the creation of our Reception & Interpretation Centre.
介紹：
自1876年屹立至今，位於不列顛哥倫比亞省維多利亞市的譚公廟是加拿大最古老的華人廟宇，也是加拿大華人歷史中一座珍貴的里程碑。我們將創建一個新的解說中心，重振廟宇的入口區域，歡迎來自不同世代和族裔的訪客。
Your VOTE (Thank you et Merci Beaucoup!) will enable us to broaden access for community, new visitors and future generations.
Nous apprécierions beaucoup votre soutien et de votre vote.
We will create a Reception and Interpretation Centre broadening access and welcome all by:
-Preserve unique pieces of Chinese Canadian history
-Modernizing and ensuring the continuity of living cultural traditions
-Supporting sustainable heritage conservation
-Enhancing accessibility and education in English and Chinese
-Strengthening community bonds across generations and cultures
Tam Kung Temple restorations are transforming our community through:
Cultural Preservation: by saving Canada's oldest Chinese temple we protect vital aspects of our National Heritage. The Temple will continue as a living monument, as a place for Chinese spiritual practices and as a repository for artifacts and records that have survived generations.
Education and Outreach: our new interpretation centre will foster cross-cultural understanding. Visitors will find resources for orientation, group tours and information on Chinese customs. School programs and interactive exhibits will bring history to life for all ages.
Community Cohesion: the revitalized Temple will serve as a gathering place, hosting cultural events and intergenerational programmes that strengthen community bonds.
Economic Benefits: As a unique heritage attraction, the restored temple will boost local tourism and lend support to small businesses in Victoria's Chinatown and community neighbours such as the Chinese Community Services Centre (CCSC) and the Victoria Chinatown Museum in Fan Tan Alley.
Sustainability and Accessibility: Our plans include retrofits to existing infrastructure and improved access features.
By preserving the Tam Kung Temple we nurture and enrich legacies for generations to come.
Tam Kung Temple is the oldest Chinese Temple in Canada. Established in 1876 it is located in the Chinatown of Victoria, BC. It is under the guardianship of the Yen Wo Society, a non-profit organization established in 1905 by the Chinese Hakka community.
Hakka is a Chinese clan-dialect. Hakka means 'guest people' and Yen Wo means 'community'. Hakka people originated from the northern and central parts of China and migrated southward to Guangdong Province in the 13th Century and were among the early Chinese clan groups that migrated to North America in the 19th century. Today there are Hakka peoples living across North America and World-wide. Many today continue to maintain Hakka language, culture and traditions.
The foundation of Tam Kung Temple dates back to the 1860's when a Hakka gold seeker, Ngai Shee, from Guangdong Province in China brought a statuette of Tam Kung to safeguard his journey across the Pacific Ocean to Victoria.
When Ngai Shee left Victoria in search of Gold Mountain he placed the statuette in a wooden box near the Johnson Street ravine so that others could pay homage. In 1876, Tsay Ching and Dong Sang, purchased a Victoria property located near the corner of Fisgard and Government Streets. Tam Kung Temple was established in a single-story framed structure on the site, providing a safe place for honouring ancestors, for spiritual guidance and cultural unity.
In 1912 the Society demolished the building and erected a 4-level structure in its place. Tam Kung was moved to the top floor of the narrow brick building. For more than a century, the Yen Wo Society continues in its role as Temple custodian, responsible for preservation and maintenance.
In recent years community support has been increasing. Through creative fundraising and generous donations some projects seismic upgrading in run down parts of the Temple and renovation of utility rooms has been undertaken.
Temple Access has been increased thanks to a grant from the Province of British Columbia - Heritage BC (CERIP) Community Economic Recover Infrastructure Program This enabled the purchase and installation of a stair ascender to assist those with mobility challenges to navigate the 52-step staircase to meet Tam Kung.
The Tam Kung Temple is open to the public and welcomes Local and International visitors - one and all!
