Tin How Temple, San Francisco

Get a peek into the cultural and spiritual aspect of the Far East by visiting the unusual Tin How Temple – the longest-operating Chinese temple in San Francisco and the entire U.S., which fittingly honors of one of the most popular Chinese deities, Mazu – popularly known as Tin How (Tien Hau), Queen of Heaven and Goddess of Seven Seas, said to have powers to protect those traveling long distances.

The temple dates back to the mid-19th century when it was founded by early Cantonese settlers – among the first immigrants to the country. Situated at the top of three steep, wooden flights of stairs, not much has changed here with the passage of time. One can still see old women preparing offerings for the deities, smell the sweet burning of incense and tune into the quiet chants meant to appease the Buddhist deities. Sitting gracefully in the center of it all is Tin How with her assistants by her side.

Although rather small, the temple is generously daubed in gold, vermilion, and hundreds of lanterns and tassels suspended from the ceiling, which are tied by devotees. Some of the items scattered throughout are over a century old. Note also the pyramids of oranges, considered lucky as the Cantonese pronunciation of "orange" sounds similar to the word for wealth. Although the temple doesn't charge admission, it's respectful to leave a small donation and to refrain from using cameras inside.