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All the United States Texas Houston Palace of the Golden Orbs

Palace of the Golden Orbs

An unrealized Taoist palace left abandoned in a Houston suburb.

Houston, Texas

Added By
Lew Blank
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The abandoned palace in 2008. The two smaller orbs have since been removed.   Robert Kimberly
The abandoned palace in 2008. The two smaller orbs have since been removed.   Robert Kimberly
Abandoned Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace   Robert Kimberly
Street view of the abandoned palace in 2017.   Map Data © 2017 Google 
The abandoned palace in 2008.   Robert Kimberly
The abandoned palace in 2008. The two smaller orbs have since been removed.   Robert Kimberly
Street view of the abandoned palace in 2017.   Map Data © 2017 Google 
Street view of the abandoned palace in 2017.   Map Data © 2017 Google 
Street view of the abandoned palace in 2017.   Map Data © 2017 Google 
Satellite view of palace   Map Data © 2017 Google 
  adamelkhadem / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
Under reconstruction   sjgranai / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
Soon to be event venue   sjgranai / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the middle of Houston's western suburbs, unannounced by any signs, a striking white temple topped with a giant golden sphere emerges from a field of strip malls and two-story apartments.

The peculiar edifice, which is completely vacant and fenced off, is an attempted Taoist palace that was left abandoned after its creator was deported before her ambitious plans could be realized.

The Palace of the Golden Orbs, also known as Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace, sticks out like a sore thumb in the surrounding Texas landscape. The sanctuary of elegance and oddity features a 40-foot Epcot-style golden orb and two wide staircases ascending to the roof, mimicking those of Mexico’s Chich'en Itza temple.

The palace was the life’s work of Kwai Fun Wong, the leader of a Chinese Taoist organization who envisioned a grand Taoist complex of multiple buildings, together offering worship, daycare, retail, and residential living. To pursue this vision, she purchased 11 acres of land in 1999 and began constructing its palatial centerpiece.

Unfortunately, Kwai Fun Wong's work was abruptly interrupted in 2001, when she was deported for failing to solidify permanent residency, permanently ending all construction of the palace. Since the project was abandoned 16 years ago, no one has bothered to tear the temple down. The empty palace is mostly unknown and slowly deteriorating, but it remains upright, a monument to a visionary dream that was never realized.

Update as of January 2022: Crews are working hard to redesign the inside and restore the exterior to create an event venue

Related Tags

Palaces Religion Abandoned Temples Architecture Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

lewblank

Edited By

Meg, adamelkhadem, sjgranai, jlord7

  • Meg
  • adamelkhadem
  • sjgranai
  • jlord7

Published

January 9, 2018

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Sources
  • https://365thingsinhouston.com/2016/05/25/palace-of-the-golden-orbs-ashford-point-2016/
  • http://swamplot.com/most-unknown-ashford-point-palace-of-the-golden-orbs/2008-05-05/
  • https://explorehoustonwithpeggy.com/chong-hua-sheng-mu-holy-palace-bizarre-houston-oddity/
  • http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2008/11/chong_hua_sheng_mu_holy_palace.html
Palace of the Golden Orbs
3695 Overture Dr
Houston, Texas
United States
29.720711, -95.611931
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