The Bendigo Joss House Temple

The Bendigo Joss House Temple is a Chinese house of prayer and was constructed in the late 1860s. Standing for over a century, the Bendigo Joss House is one of the few remaining buildings of its type in Australia.  It is constructed with locally handmade bricks and painted red, symbolising the traditional Chinese colour denoting strength and vitality. A visit to the Joss House will give you a unique window into the fascinating world of Chinese culture and beliefs.

The Main Temple is dedicated to Guan Di (Kuan Kung), a Han Dynasty general who brought peace and justice to China after the dynasty collapsed. He was subsequently deified as the State God of War, but is universally viewed “as a wise judge, guide, protector and bringer of wealth and prosperity”. The temple was one of seven Chinese temples built around this area to serve the large Chinese population on the goldfields.

The centre today, which is run by The Bendigo Trust, is a heritage-listed site restored by the National Trust of Australia between 1959-1972, with additional work undertaken by the City of Greater Bendigo and The Bendigo Trust in 2007. Visit the Bendigo Joss House Temple to glimpse into Chinese culture and tradition.

Connoisseur Club Members welcome for Free Entry when accompanied by a paying adult guest.