Chiwan Tianhou Temple

Updated 2026-05-28

One of southern China’s oldest Mazu temples, linking maritime Silk Road history to centuries of coastal folk culture.

Combining religious heritage with maritime history , the temple is one of the oldest and most important Mazu temples in southern China and has been a spiritual landmark for sailors, fishermen and merchants for centuries.

Near Shenzhen’s modern port district, the temple also stands as a reminder of the region’s deep connection to the sea and the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

About Mazu, the Sea Goddess worshiped in the Temple

Mazu 妈祖, also known as Tianhou (Empress of Heaven), is one of the most important sea deities in Chinese folk religion and is especially revered across the coastal regions of southern China. According to legend, Mazu was born as Lin Mo during the Song Dynasty on Meizhou Island in Fujian Province. She was believed to possess spiritual powers and became famous for rescuing fishermen and sailors caught in storms. After her death, coastal communities began worshipping her as a protective goddess of the sea.

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#### Statue of Mazu, Tianhou Temple of Chiwan, Shenzhen
Over the centuries, Mazu devotion spread throughout southern China and southeast Asia.
Nowadays, millions of worshippers continue to pray to Mazu for safe voyages, protection from storms and family blessings. In Shanwei and across the Chaoshan coast, Mazu remains deeply connected to fishing communities and maritime culture. Dedicated temples are not only religious landmarks, but also living centers of local identity, folk traditions and coastal heritage.

Historic Maritime Silk Road Site

The original temple dates back to the Song Dynasty and later flourished during the Ming and Qing periods.

According to local history, the famous Ming Dynasty admiral Zheng He (the Chinese Marco Polo) stopped at Chiwan to worship Mazu before beginning his legendary maritime expeditions across Asia and the Indian Ocean.

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#### Representation of the navigator Zheng He, Public Domain

Because of its strategic coastal location, Chiwan was once an important harbor connecting southern China to Southeast Asia and international maritime trade routes. Over the time, the temple became more and more associated with overseas Chinese communities and traditional sea rituals.

Architecture, Exhibitions & Ceremonies

Chiwan Tianhou Temple features classic southern Chinese temple architecture with roof carvings, traditional wooden halls, ceremonial gates and stone lions, A peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the nearby skyscrapers and port infrastructure of modern Shenzhen. While primarily a temple complex, the site also contains museum-style exhibition areas presenting both Mazu worshiping and Shenzhen’s maritime heritage through the Maritime Silk Road history and coastal folk customs.
As the same for the Phoenix Hill Mazu Temple in Shanwei, the area remains an active cultural and religious site.

One of the most important events is the traditional Cisha Ceremony 辞沙, a maritime blessing ritual performed before sea voyages. The ceremony has been practiced for hundreds of years and remains one of Shenzhen’s most important folk heritage traditions.

### Opening Hours
Closed Mondays (except public holidays)
Tuesday to Sunday : 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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#### Thumbnail & Figure 1 photo credit : Aheabra Nicze Hungm (CC License)
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