Visiting

Visit

Sincerity matters more than form. If this is your first visit, the following is all you need.

Where to offer incense

1
Heaven Emperor censer
Jade Emperor
By the entrance. Pay respects here first.
2
Main hall
Marshal of the Central Altar
The principal deity. Afterwards place your incense in the Heaven Emperor censer.

The ground floor is currently open for incense offering. Please take one stick.
Light it yourself and hold it with both hands in front of your chest, at about the height of your nose.
Silently say your name, date of birth and address, then what you wish to pray for.
When you are finished, burn the paper offerings at the furnace.

Enter through the dragon door (on your right as you face the temple) and leave through the tiger door (on your left). Please do not use the centre door.
Tidy clothing is enough; nothing formal is required.
Photographs of the building are fine. Please ask before photographing worshippers.

Two crescent-shaped blocks, one flat side and one rounded side each, are thrown to ask the deity a yes-or-no question.

One flat, one round

Yes — the deity agrees.

Both flat sides up

The deity smiles: the question is unclear, or think again.

Both round sides up

No.