The oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, the Thian Hock Keng Temple is a key city attraction and here’s more on what you should know before your visit.
Getting There
This well-known temple is located along Telok Ayer Street and is open daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm; it’s a short walk from the Musical Box Museum and within easy reach of SG Clean certified properties like Park Hotel Alexandra. Apart from taking a taxi, those staying at such 4-star Singapore hotels can also access the site by taking the MRT to the nearby Telok Ayer Station.
A Bit of History
The history of the Thian Hock Keng Temple dates to 1839 when construction began on this site which at the time, faced the ocean; the landscape has since changed however as the shoreline was reclaimed. This Hokkien temple was built to honour the Goddess of the Sea, Mazu, and Chinese immigrants often came here on their arrival to offer thanks for safe journeys or to pray for safe voyages ahead.
Points of Interest
The temple offers captivating insights into the southern Chinese architectural style combining fascinating design with several notable features. On your visit, be on the lookout to take in the intricate carvings, statues of deities, sculptures of phoenixes and dragons, roof ridges with vibrant broken porcelain and impressive columns.
Diverse Events
The temple covers aspects of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism as well as Ancestral Worship and thus, holds diverse events and festivals. On the eve of the Chinese New Year is the Temple Fair where one can see lion and dragon dance performances and traditional string puppetry. You can also observe various customs on the days celebrating the birth of Mazu, the Jade Emperor and Confucius. Check out the temple’s official website for the year’s events (https://thianhockkeng.com.sg/site/ourfaith-calendar/).
