Coloane Temples
(Last updated: August 5, 2026)
Most of the temples in Coloane are located in Coloane Village.
Coloane Village Temples: Kun Iam Temple
This small temple was built in 1800 and pays tribute to one of Macau’s most beloved deities, Kun Iam, the Goddess of Mercy.
The large wooden carving above the door is the most intricate one I’ve seen in any Macau temple to date.
The altar is similarly well endowed, full of character and colour.
Coloane Village Temples: Sam Seng Temple
Originally built sometime before 1865, Sam Seng Temple (Three God Palace) is dedicated to Kam Fa (the Golden Flower Goddess), Kun Iam (the Goddess of Mercy) and Va Kuong (the God of Fire).
Kam Fa is the most revered deity at the temple, so much so that the temple is sometimes called Kam Fa Temple.Â
Kam Fa is both a protector and provider of children, so the temple is very popular with expecting mothers.
In 2002, the temple was rebuilt after being badly damaged by a storm.
Coloane Village Temples: Tam Kung Temple
Tam Kung Temple was built in 1862, named after a powerful child deity who could heal the sick and control the weather.Â
Among seafarers and other fishing folk in Macau, Tam Kung is second in popularity only to A Ma.
The temple is notable for two pieces of artwork: the first, the ancient dragon boat made from a whale bone.Â
The second is a mural depicting a tiger with a cub, as tigers often accompanied Tam Kung.
Everything else, of course, is just eye candy.
Dropping a few dollars might go a long way as well, since every Macau temple is publicly funded.Â
Every year on the day when the Buddha is bathed, the temple plays host to the Tam Kung Festival.
Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Coloane Village Temples: Tin Hau Temple
No one knows for sure when Tin Hau temple was built, but everyone agrees it is the oldest temple in Coloane. Perhaps constructed as early as 1677, it is another temple paying tribute to Tin Hau, or A Ma, the goddess of seafarers.
In front of the altar are three elaborate wine boats carved with images of dragons and carp, used by devotees when offering gifts of alcohol.Â
Temples usually only have one wine boat; the fact that Tin Hau has three is a testament to both its splendour and historical significance.
Looking both kind and dignified, A Ma can steer my ship anytime.
In addition to A Ma, the temple also pays tribute to five other Gods: Wah Tor (God of Medicine), Choi Bak Sing Kung (God of Wealth), Lo Pan (God of Builders), She Ji (God of Earth and Grain) and Guan Yu (God of War). An ancient bell on the right side of the temple dates from 1763.
The temple doormen are just another treat as well.
The remaining Coloane temples are rarely visited by locals, let alone tourists. None of them are must-sees.
Coloane Temples: A Ma Statue and Cultural Village
One of Macau’s newest temples, Tin Hau Temple was constructed in 1998.Â
The interior of new temples always look superb, unless their handlers abscond with all the donations and funds.
And for whatever reason, I’ve always just loved this photo of a fish.
Behind the main temple, there’s a miniature version of the larger temple that’s in front of it. Truth be told, the whole complex feels sort of cookie cutter and contrived, which is probably why it’s not that popular with visitors.
The A Ma Cultural Village was built in concert with the 20 metre A Ma Statue that stands nearby. Â
Location: Alto de Coloane    Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.
Coloane Temples: Kun Iam Temple
Yet another shrine in Macau that pays tribute to the Goddess of Mercy, Kun Iam Temple was built in 1881.
Location: Ka Ho Village
Coloane Temples: Sam Seng Temple
If you ever make it out to the isolated Ka Ho Bay, have a look at this small temple constructed in 1883.Â
It pays tribute to Three Divinities: Hung Seng, Kwan Tai and Tam Kung; hence is known as the Temple of Three Great Kings.
Location: Ka Ho Bay
Coloane Temples: Tai Wong Temple
Hung Shing was a government official in present day Panyu, a district of Guangzhou, during the glorious Tang Dynasty (618-907), one of China’s golden ages. An ardent supporter of science, he promoted mathematics, astronomy and geography, and built an observatory to better understand the weather.Â
In such a volatile region where typhoons are common, his contributions no doubt saved the lives of many people, in particular, those of fishermen and sea traders.
After his death Hung Shing’s stature rose to the rank of deity, and he is credited with protecting against natural disasters. He is also known as the Great King or Tai Wong, and is especially revered in Southern China, Macau and Hong Kong.
Location: Hac Sa
Coloane Temples: Tou Tei Temple
No one knows when Tou Tei Temple was first built, only that it was repaired twice, in 1982 and 2006.Â
Tou Tei is the Earth God and legend has it he appeared once to a group of poor farmers, dressed in a long white robe and with a long white beard. He wanted to sell tea, but the farmers could not afford it, and Tou Tei left soon after, disappearing near the site of the present day temple.Â
The farmers took his visit as a sign of divine intervention, believing he had come to bless the safety of all the villagers. Nowadays all children who are born in Ka Ho come to Tou Tei Temple to get their blessing from the Earth God.
Judging from that stone cold lonely table though, it looks like the area could do with a few more births ASAP.
Location: Hac Sa
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