Tin How Temple

The Tin How Temple is located at 125 Waverly Place in San Francisco's Chinatown district. The Buddhist temple is opne daily from 10 am to 4 pm and is free of charge. Photos are not permitted to be taken at the temple. Tin How is a popular place for tourists who are wanting to understand and experience the Buddhist religion and way of life. Tin How is the oldest Chinese temple in the United States and was dedicated to the Queen of Heavens and Goddess of the Seven Seas by Chinese immigrant Day Ju in 1852. Ju was one of the first three Chinese immigrants to arrive in San Francisco.

The second floor features the mah-jongg parlor where worshippers can often be seen burning offerings and providing money for people to use in the afterlife. Red and gold fixtures adorn the walls and ceiling. Lamps hang from the ceiling and the size of the lamp indicates the size of contribution made to the temple by the owner of the lamp. The gold-leaf wood carving suspended from the ceiling depicts the north and east sides of the sea, which Tin How and other gods protect. A statue of Tin How sits in the middle back of the temple, flanked by a lesser red god and green god.