Thean Hou Temple: A Travel Guide + Photos
Malaysia is a beautiful country known for its flavorful cuisine, skyscrapers, beaches, and colorful temples. There's just plenty of places to see. But today, I'll take you to a beautiful shrine in Kuala Lumpur that is culturally significant for Chinese Malaysians and Buddhists.
Thean Hou Temple: A Travel Guide
You better not miss a trip to Thean Hou Temple if you’re in KL. It’s known to be one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most beautiful Buddhist temples. This destination is recognizable with its stunning architecture and Red lanterns, but there's way more to see when you go inside. Here’s your complete guide to Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Location
The temple is on a hill in an urban area. No buses or other public transportation stops directly at the temple, so I suggest you book a Grab ride instead (private cars are allowed to enter); this will save you time.
Address: 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
The Temple Grounds
The first thing to check out when you arrive is the grounds. They have a garden with statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, a gazebo, and a mini cave with a little bridge.
On the other side, you'll find a spacious garden dedicated to lovers. From the looks of it, this is where the newly wedded couples celebrate and take photos after their wedding ceremonies.
Rabbits symbolize good fortune, kindness, and good luck in Buddhism. Many also believe that the Buddha was reborn as a rabbit. I think that may be one of the reasons why they have a lot of massive rabbit statues within the premises. They are so cute, by the way. I liked the cheery ones near the entrance.
Hubby with the money rabbits. Look how big they are!
And here's me pinching one of the kiddie rabbit statues, lol.
Yue Lao, also known as the “old man under the moon”, is the Chinese God of love and marriage. He's popularly known as the lunar matchmaker who carries invisible Red threads that bind soulmates together, and these people will always find their way to each other no matter what.
If it sounds familiar, you may have already learned about it through literature, college Philosophy classes, or films. The Red string theory originated in East Asia and has two popular versions- Chinese and Japanese. There's not much difference. In Chinese mythology, Yue Lao is in charge of bringing soulmates together through the invisible Red string. He is also responsible for marriages (he holds a marriage registry in one hand). Very interesting.
On the farther side of the temple are statues of the God of Happiness & Prosperity, the God of Wealth, and the God of Longevity. They are popularly known as the Three Wise Men.
Inside Thean Hou Temple
The main prayer hall is where the Red lanterns and the altars are. It's beautiful. Since the temple is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, there's a massive statue of her in the middle.
From there, you have access to the large balcony, where you can soak in the good energy and enjoy the scenic city views.
🖼️ Gallery (click to enlarge photos)
This is such a great spot. It’s breezy and there are concrete benches if you want to sit.
If you’re visiting in the afternoon, I suggest you take your time in this spot because it is calming, and the view gets even better at night once the lights are on.
Vibrant Colors and Stunning, Intricate Designs
The colorful interiors and intricate designs of the temples we’ve seen so far never failed to amaze me, including this one. I like how their symbolic wall and ceiling paintings represent their religious identity and culture, all while adding personality to the whole temple. Even the beams and pillars were very detailed. It’s like walking on a piece of art.
🖼️ Gallery (click to enlarge photos)
The comfy kaftan dress I wore happened to match their gorgeous ceiling, and I loved it.
Some Trivia
Thean Hou Temple is one of the largest temples in Malaysia and Southeast Asia;
It was constructed by Malaysia’s Hainanese community (Hainanese refer to people from Hainan province in China).
I guess that would be all for today. Feel free to share or save this Thean Hou Temple Travel Guide to those who may need it.
