A metropolis constituted by people of various faiths, KL is naturally dotted with numerous houses of worship, including Chinese temples. A spiritual institution interspersing faith, philosophy and culture, a Chinese temple is more than a place to worship the Gods and one’s ancestors, it is also an architectural marvel.
Broadly speaking, Chinese temples can be categorised into miào (a temple devoted to Gods of the Chinese pantheon), cítáng (an ancestral temple), dàoguàn (a Taoist temple), sìyuàn (a Chinese Buddhist temple), kŏngmiào (a Confucius temple) – and not to mention, household shrines honouring the God of Prosperity and God of Kitchen.
While these temples typically serve a single purpose, such as those dedicated wholly to a single faith or a particular lineage, more often than not, Chinese temples in Malaysia are constructed in such a unique way that it reflects the confluence of these aforementioned elements. Among its walls, you will discover various motifs nodding to Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and deities of the Chinese pantheon and folklore. A single temple may profess more than one affiliation.
Then there are the cultural roots of the Chinese reflected throughout the monastery. Creatures embodying luck and vigour, such as dragons and lions, are recreated in the shape of ornaments. They may be placed at the entrance or the roof to stand guard over the property. Everywhere you look, each detail is deliberately pieced together to poetic effects. Seeing is believing – drop by any of the temples below for further enlightenment.
5 must-visit Chinese temples in Petaling Street and KLCC, KL:
Then Hou Temple
The most impressive in terms of scale – it is one of the largest in Southeast Asia – thanks to a soaring six tiers and ample space, the temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu was built in 1981 and the construction was completed in 1987. The temple features elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, arrayed with ornate pillars, finials and archways.
The cavernous prayer hall houses a trio of altars devoted to Guan Yin, Tian Hou Niang Niang and Shui Wei Sheng Niang. The temple also offers fortune-telling and marriage registration services. Other outdoor highlights include a Chinese medicinal herbs garden, a wishing well and a turtle pond.
It is open from 8 am till 8 pm daily.
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Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall
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Built between 1897 and 1906, the ancestral hall is an elaborate structure. The terracotta friezes and intricate roofs, with the interiors decorated with mythical creatures, is beyond beautiful. The courtyard has extravagant shrines and magnificent pavilions. The institution also functions as a community centre for the clan whose surnames stand for Chan, Chen, Tan, Chin, Tang or other Romanticised spellings of the same Chinese character.
The edifice inherits the design of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall located in Guangzhou, China, albeit on a smaller scale. Various unforeseen obstacles cropped up during its construction, causing a delay in its completion.
It is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily.
Guan Di Temple Chinatown
Completed in 1887, the Taoist temple fronts the historical Jalan Tun HS Lee is also one of the oldest houses of worship in Malaysia. Having a crimson façade, the temple is home to Guan Di, the God of War and Literature. Ardent devotees believe the weapons – a spear and a sword – borne by the deity possess special blessing power. Visitors will instantly recognise the lions sitting on the stone pedestals guarding the temple, as well as the many pillars engirdled by dragons.
It opens between 7.30 am and 4 pm daily.
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Sin Sze Si Ya Temple
Located on Lebuh Pudu, the Taoist temple is the oldest of its kind in KL. Its establishment was carried out at the behest of Yap Ah Loy, a pivotal figure in the prosperity of KL from an unassuming village to a prospering city, in honour of the deities – Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya – who he believed had helped provide him with guidance during the Selangor Civil War. The tutelaries were based on Sheng Meng Li (Kapitan of Sungai Ujong) and Chung Lai (Yap’s lieutenant). The temple stands on the grounds, founded in 1864, while the completion of the temple dates back to 1883.
It opens from 7 am till 2 pm daily.
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Kun Yam Thong Temple
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A brief stroll from the renowned Petronas Twin Towers takes visitors to a Buddhist temple where many office workers drop by during lunch hours. It is a calming oasis surrounded by skyscrapers. The site houses numerous statuettes including the Laughing Buddha and Guan Yin. However, the extensive renovation undertaken in the 2000s that endowed the temple with modern monasterial looks, presents an authentic representation of a Chinese Buddhist temple.
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Main and Feature Image Credit: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia KL
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