About Us

Cultural Museum (Hou Wang) of Bocas del Toro

The Bocas del Toro Cultural Museum Association is composed of third and fourth-generation descendants of Chinese migrants from Zhongshan, Guangdong, China, who settled in Bocas del Toro at the beginning of the 20th century.

Inspired by a vision of cultural integration and coexistence, we have spearheaded the creation of the Bocas del Toro Cultural Museum. This inclusive space is dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s multi-ethnic history, recognizing the invaluable contributions of all communities that have fueled the social, cultural, and economic development of Isla Colón and the province of Bocas del Toro.

Mission Statement


The Hou Wang Museum and Altar is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and cultural expressions of the various ethnic communities that contributed to the development of Bocas del Toro.

It is a space designed to give visibility to emblematic figures, human values, and the collective memories that form part of the region’s historical and social heritage.


Furthermore, the Museum highlights the influence of the Chinese community on the social, economic, and cultural life of Bocas del Toro, emphasizing its contribution to the construction of a multicultural identity.

We aspire for future generations to understand, value, and respect the impact of these communities on our present, while promoting cross-cultural unity and respect for diversity.

Vision Statement

The Hou Wang Temple Museum aspires to inspire all visitors to discover the social, economic, and cultural history of the province of Bocas del Toro, with a special focus on the Chinese presence and its influence on the region’s development.



We aim to create a space for educational debate and the exchange of knowledge.

Objectives

To highlight and honor the legacy of our ancestors and their historical memory, in accordance with the 1904 Founding Charter of the Chinese Colony.

To preserve the religious beliefs surrounding the patron saint Hau Wong, the spiritual guide of the Chinese community, whose deity was brought from Kowloon, China, in 1904.

To showcase, from a global perspective, the multi-ethnic community that contributed to the socio-economic and cultural development of the province, highlighting the iconic figures and historical memories of the first settlers of the Bocas del Toro region.

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