Elaborately decorated Chinese temples have long attracted tourists in various parts of South East Asia. It is no different in Malaysia for a significant portion of the country’s Chinese population follows Buddhism. The Chinese first arrived in Malaysia in the early 13th century as traders; they continued to arrive in waves down the ages. These Chinese immigrants to Malaya hailed from various regions of China and as they settled in Malaysia and formed communities, they built some magnificent Chinese and Buddhist temples, which stand until today.
Some of the most
spectacular Chinese and Buddhist temples in Malaysia currently include:-
Thean Hou Temple,
Kuala Lumpur
The six tiered
Thean Hou Temple stands in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This elaborately adorned
temple features ornate roofs and sculptured dragons. The temple which is one of
the biggest Chinese temples in the country, is dedicated to Thean Hou(the
heavenly goddess) though several other popular Chinese deities like Kuan
Yin(the Goddess of Mercy) and Shui Wey( Goddess of the Hokkien fishermen) also feature within
the temple. The grounds of the temple feature replicas of the Chinese zodiac
signs. Several souvenir shops line the exterior of the temple.
Fo
Guang Shan Dong Zen temple, Selangor
This
temple, which was established in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat in 1994 is set amongst
16 immaculately landscaped acres. This temple also functions as a monastery and
is a center for culture and religious studies.
The main shrine at this temple is a 5.4-meter high statue of Lord Buddha
sculpted in bronze. Other idols that adorn the temple include a statue of Kuan
Yin (the Goddess of Mercy).
Perak
Tong, Ipoh Perak
The
Malaysian state of Perak is renowned for its cave temples many of which are
located around the capital city of Ipoh. Perak Tong is one such famed temple,
which is housed within the huge limestone cave; Gunung Tasek located six
kilometers north of Ipoh town. This temple was constructed by Buddhist monks
from China in 1926 and features over 40 statues of Lord Buddha, including one,
which rises to a height of 12.8 meters. Traditional Chinese paintings
illustrating Buddhist folk tales adorn the walls of the temple.
Sam
Poh Tong Temple, Ipoh
This temple, which lies five kilometers to the south of Ipoh
near Gunung Rapat, houses several statues of Lord Buddha amongst its many
limestone formations like spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. It is
believed that a Chinese monk discovered this cave and he then went on to use it
as a locale for meditation. The temple
also features 246 steps leading to its summit.
Kek
Lok Si Temple, Penang
The
Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the most visited sites in Penang. Situated on the
lower rungs of Penang Hill, this magnificent temple is considered to be one of
the finest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. The temple is built in tiers and is
adorned with a tall Pagoda
adorned with ten thousand Buddha statues and a 30-meter (90 feet) tall statue
of Kuan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy). The temple is an exponent of
Sino-Thai-Burmese styles of architecture and features several colorful frescoes and water bodies.
Goddess
of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng)
Early Chinese migrants to Penang built the Kuan Yin Teng temple
in 1801. The temple is dedicated to two goddess; Kuan Yin (the goddess of
Mercy) and Ma Chor Poh, the patron saint of seafarers. The décor of the temple
is quite dramatic as it features a main hall supported by sculpted pillars
adorned with dragons.
The
Temple of Bright Clouds (Melaka)
Located in the heart of Melaka’s Chinatown, the Temple of Bright
Clouds or the Cheng Hoong Teng temple is the oldest temple in Malaysia. The
temple, which was constructed entirely of materials imported from Southern
China, dates back to 1646. The temple practices the three main doctrines of
Chinese religion namely Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
Puh
Toh Tze Temple, Sabah
The Puh Toh Tze temple situated at a distance of 15km from Kota
Kinabalu off Tuaran Road is one of the most well known Buddhist temples in
Sabah. The temple, which was built in 1980, bears a distinct Chinese-style
structure and roof. The temple features ten large statues including a large
statue of goddess Kuan Yin at its main entrance.
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