Tin How Temple is a small Taoist and Buddhist temple on the fourth floor of a building at 125 Waverly Place in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Dedicated in 1852 to the Queen of the Heavens and the Goddess of the Seven Seas, it has served Chinese immigrants seeking a connection to home. Inside, altars and the scent of incense fill a quiet room. Staff can explain the temple’s beliefs and customs, and a balcony looks toward Coit Tower. Photos are not permitted inside.
A temple founded in 1852
Day Ju, one of the first three Chinese people to arrive in San Francisco, dedicated Tin How Temple in 1852. It was devoted to the Queen of the Heavens and the Goddess of the Seven Seas. Chinese immigrants came here to reconnect with their homeland, and the temple remains a place of worship in the neighborhood.
The temple is often identified as one of the oldest Taoist and Buddhist temples in the United States. Its setting is easy to overlook: the entrance is a doorway on Waverly Place, and the temple itself occupies the fourth floor of a building.
Inside the temple
After using the entrance buzzer, climb several flights of stairs to reach the temple. The room is small and filled with altars; incense is part of the atmosphere. Staff are available to talk about the temple’s religion, beliefs and values.
Photography is not allowed inside. Visitors can make a donation to light incense. From the balcony, you can see toward Coit Tower.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Tin How Temple?
It is on the fourth floor of a building at 125 Waverly Place in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Use the buzzer at the entrance to request access.
Can you take photos inside Tin How Temple?
No. Photography is not permitted inside the temple.
Is there an entry fee?
There is no entry fee; donations are suggested.
How many stairs are there to the temple?
The temple is on the fourth floor, reached by climbing several flights of stairs.
