The business actually belongs to the Kong Chow Benevolent Association. Growing up in Chinatown, I learned a lot of things in my childhood years from my parents who owned a business in the neighborhood. My father was particularly active in this association as well as the related Bo On Tong. Besides the political groups, family associations, and provincial associations, new immigrants found their comfort zones in joining these and making friends and business contacts in starting their life in a foreign country; it was particularly challenging for those who did not speak a word of English. These men, as it was a very sexist culture in those days, found refuge with people who shared their political views, spoke their dialect of Chinese, or came from the same districts or villages. Kong Chow mainly serves immigrants from the greater Guangzhou (Canton) area and its neighboring districts (Toishan, Chung Shan, Jiang Men, and my dad's Sun Wui). This association has changed over the years with mainly only members living in Chinatown being here on a regular basis. There is a shrine on the upper floor the building, a memorial to members who passed over the years. To get a spot for a memorial, one must make a donation to the association. I learned of this after ordering a plaque for my late father a couple years ago. The association also has its own memorial park in Colma but I am not sure they are still offering plots and the site is pretty well filled now. During the Spring memorial holiday, flocks of family will come to the memorial park for picnics, either family only or along with the family associations. Remains to be seen how this will go this year on April 4th. This association also used to host annual banquets as a fundraising source as well as a community reunion for its members. Needless to say, it's been a while since the last event which used to be held at one of the few remaining banquet hall restaurants in Chinatown (see Far East Cafe and New Asia Restaurant - one is struggling to survive and the other is now a converted supermarket). Let's hope and pray that the pandemic is closer to its end than start and the community can restore its life like before. After all, if we lose our culture, who are we? read more

Kong Chow Temple - Kong Chow Benevolent Association, shelter in place - Buddhist Temples Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this place. Always take out of town guests here. They will be taken through a ceremony and have their fortune read afterward for a $5 donation. I don't speak any Cantonese, and the people who work here are not quite fluent in English and are a little shy at first. But once they warm up they are actually very welcoming and love to joke which is difficult with no common language. Oh, don't even think of taking pictures here. This temple is located above the post office on Stockton, on the top floor, with an elevator! read more

I have been here 3 times for Chinese New Year. I don't speak Chinese but grew up in a place where they celebrate Chinese festivals so I wanted to check out this place. From my experience, most people here don't speak English much but sometimes there would be somebody who could speak English( like today!) though they were very nice and tried to help out including guiding you where and how to put incense. I was lucky enough to met the same guy all the time. The only thing that hold me back from going there often is parking ..OMG ...crazy there!! But if you don't mind, just park at a garage nearby I believe it's on Pacific Avenue $2.50 for 30 mins. read more

Great temple but the people there are pretty shady. Everything is about money. Their package aren't cheap also compared to Wong tai sin in the Richmond read more

Everytime I'm in Chinatown, I try to visit here as often as I can to pay my respects. There is something very special about this temple and a lot of wishes and answers have been granted here. Just to comment for people that have visited or is planning to, please do not bring your cameras (especially if you are a tourist or new to the place). It's highly disrespectful to take pictures of the Gods here. HIGHLY DISRESPECTFUL. And I'm not kidding. There's been times when I am praying and a group of people (obviously not from around here) are holding cameras and the guy that's watching the place is following them around like a monkey on their backs. Not to say that this place of worship does not welcome visitors b/c it does. I say when you come visit, break the ice by putting a donation in the donation box or buying some incense, go around the temple, and make a wish by putting the incense in each God's incense holders. I'm sure the people watching the place will take you more seriously. Plus, the view of Chinatown is great up here too! Remember, no cameras. read more

I always visit there whenever I am in Chinatown. This is a wonderful place but they should let people take pictures so that more people are aware of it. No picture at all and the actual building does not look like there is a temple there. Please consider changing the policy so we can let more people know. read more

Kong Chow Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - San Francisco, California

Move over ~~~~ Sylvia Browne and her $700 for 20 minutes reading! Kong Chow Temple is the God of War (Chinese) temple. There use to be many temples in Chinatown, but this is one of the more receptive and existing one. The God of War Temple is homage and prayers for business and love. Viewed and visited by many famous people, such as Danny Kaye, President Truman, etc. The room is almost the same size as Ghandi's landmark in Bombay (now Mobai). The high alter with the God of War diety and other decorative adornment on the tables as well. There use to be a monk(s) to maintain the alter but now they have volunteers who (hit or miss) speaks English. You may want to "donate" $2 or $3" upon entering. The host/hostess will direct you to the ritual. First, you have the burnt offering and incense sticks - bowing three times (Kowtow) to the God of War, then you will be given a pair of goose eggs (halves). They use to be real but now they use either plastic or wooden ones. When you toss it before the alter - you will either make a wish or request- when it lands in front of the alter ground - the following may be: the egg halves showing up would means Yes, two egg sides down means No and one half up and one half down means Maybe. Thereafter , you will be given joss sticks (again, the host/hostess) will ask you to think or wish- what is the request. You pull out a stick and a number in Chinese will come up. There, the host/hostess will read the I Ching book for your phophecy. They have brochures available in many languages for more history and information. Good Luck!!!! read more

I've been coming here since I was a little Asian girl. This place is a part of my childhood. This temple is clean and recently cleaned the soot off the ceilings, it's better then ever! read more

To find such a graceful and spiritual temple in center downtown, I consider myself lucky. Today is my father's ten years memorial, far away from birth country, I decided to pay respect to him here after viewing many good reviews on yelp. I mistakenly walked pass the temple several times. No one had mentioned the temple lays on a roof top of a normal building. I was looking for a typical Asian temple building with design and incense flowing off to the sky. It isn't so. Remember if you walk pass US post office, you go to far. It is on a fourth floor. The lady was quiet to me at first, however, carefully showed me where to lay candles and burn incenses and the death money. I felt at ease. The sky was so blue. The wind blew my worry away with its coldness. I later, shook forbidden fuxien(?) magic sticks. I dropped all of them on the floor! Oh my Gosh! The lady earlier came and helped me pick them all up without any complaining. Not given up, I tried again and nothing happened. A middle-aged man saw my helpless look, came over and prayed with me in Cantonese, showed me to believe in faith and myself, not to stop shaking. 15mins later, finally one magic stick came out. He picked up and smiled, a lucky one. Not many came by. I was so relief since the prayer was for my mother's heath and my future career opportunity. He then showed my famous people came here and tried magic stick. They were all successful later on with different lucky numbers. Well, a good news in the madness of my messy life. I am thankful to Buddha and to God. Will be back to meditate for sure. read more

That's a very charming and spiritual temple in town. A lot of my wishes and prayers were granted. The lady at the front desk is always helpful read more

Visited the Kong Chow Temple today with friends. Having visited many temples recently in India, Nepal and Bhutan I was looking forward to seeing this one. We entered very quietly but it was obvious we were not welcome. One man was seated, he did not greet us and shook his head when one of us sat down. We felt it was best to leave. It appears they no longer want visitors. Why not put up a sign saying "Private...no visitors." read more