The Ng Shing Gung was built in 1888 in "Heinlenville," at Taylor and Cleveland Streets in San José , to serve as a cultural and religious center for San José's Chinese community.

" Ng Shing Gung " means "Temple of Five Gods" and was named for the five divinities whose statues were housed within: Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy; Choi Sun, God of Wealth; Cheng Huan, the Canton City God; Kwan Gung, God of War and Justice; and Tien Ho, Queen of Heaven.

The ground floor functioned as a community center with a Chinese calligraphy and literature classroom for children. An elaborately carved and gilded altar stood on the second floor.

The original Ng Shing Gung was demolished in 1949. However, the altar, furnishings and a portion of the facade were saved and formed the core of the exhibit completed by the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project in 1991 at History Park. The Chinese American Museum at the Ng Shing Gung houses exhibits and Home Base: A Chinatown Called Heinlenville, a video depicting the life and contributions of the Chinese Americans in the Santa Clara Valley.