Hong Kong's Only Sikh Temple Reopens Its Doors

Hong Kong's only Sikh temple on Tuesday officially reopened its doors to the public after a five-year renovation.

The Khalsa Diwan temple in Wan Chai was completely rebuilt over the past five years, after cracks were discovered at the old building in 2013.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong respects freedom of religion, and his government is committed to building a caring and inclusive society.

Lee, who wrapped his head in a Sikh turban, added that the reconstruction project has made it possible for the Khalsa Diwan to serve a wider community.

"All of us are delighted to see the successful completion of the new temple today, and every bit of the five-year wait has been worthwhile. With the temple revamped, Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong will have better hardware to provide a diverse range of services for Sikhs and non-Sikhs in Hong Kong," he said.

The revamped temple will feature new facilities such as a digital library and language classrooms, as well as a larger kitchen.

It will also expand its services to include free Cantonese classes and medical consultations.

The temple has been offering free accommodation for new migrants to Hong Kong, while its community kitchen, known as "Langar", provides around 5,000 free meals per week.