Thian Hock Keng Temple
Thian Hock Keng Temple
4
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The Thian Hock Keng Temple was erected in 1821 by seamen grateful for safe passage, and stands where Singapore's waterfront used to be, before the land was reclaimed.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Outram
How to get there
- Telok Ayer • 2 min walk
- Raffles Place • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
317 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
165
Average
57
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Ellinlaw .
Finksburg, MD497 contributions
Dec 2019
Located in Chinatown and also known as Tianfu, THK is a temple built to worship Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess. It is the oldest and most important temple for the Chinese immigrants living in Singapore. They come here to give thanks for their safe passage across the South China Sea. When visiting, one must pay attention to the colorful broken porcelain on the roof ridges, the deities and dragon sculptures as well as the detail carvings. A must-visit for history aficionados and those interested in oriental culture.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,077 contributions
Feb 2020
While it is a short distance from the tourist center of Chinatown, this Buddhist temple is the best, most authentic, and old attraction in Singapore's Chinatown. The detain is exquisite and it is easy to be convinced you are in China when visiting instead of SE Asia. Both the stone and wood work are amazing and just what you think of the oldest temple on a Chinese mountain top. The tower and side chapels are also just as impressive. The main sanctuary is also a sight and it can not be pictured. It is a short walk from Pagoda Street and more central sights of Chinatown, but you will get to walk through the quaint and beautiful Chia Ann Siang Park. Be sure to visit, it is the most authentic attraction in Chinatown.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea B
Milton Keynes, UK1,978 contributions
Aug 2019
The temple is the oldest and most important temple of the Chinese Hokkien people, and worships a Chinese Sea Goddess. The temple follows a traditional Chinese design, with a rich colour scheme of black, gold and red. I particularly loved the addition of the striking decorative dragons.Â
Written 15 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ole Blue Eyes
Tustin, CA186 contributions
June 2024 • Family
As we wandered through Chinatown and down the hill from Ann Siang Hill Park we happened upon this peaceful temple on a busy little street. It’s always nice to step inside temples and feel whisked away to another time. Very colorful, well kept, and quiet.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmeenaS
The Woodlands, TX205 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This temple is small but lovely. It didn’t seem as well maintained as the tooth relic but worth a visit. Plan on spending 15/30 minutes here. There was some free literature which I would have loved to read if it was available in English.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Companion7740
10 contributions
I absolutely loved this temple. It's beautiful, the people there are really sweet, and you can buy joss paper (wishing paper) to support the temple and give to your friends when you get home! Be sure to burn some of the paper in the amazing red gourd-shaped kilns in the courtyard - it brings you good luck.
Written 24 May 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global18970
35 contributions
Worth stopping in if you are walking through the neighborhood (which is woth seeing). Some very attractive ornate decorations around the central area. Also walk around, there are several smaller shrines to the sides. Doesn't take long, doesn't cost anything, and a look at a different culture.
Written 1 May 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
midway42
Georgia3,423 contributions
I visited the Thian Hock Keng Temple on my last day in Singapore, which completed my tours of a major religious site of the main three ethnic groups in the country (Indian, Malay, and Chinese). Of note, this temple is bit tricky to get to. On maps it appears to be "right next to" Chinatown but you have to take a bit of a winding path through Ann Siang Hill to get there.
The site itself is definitely worth a visit. The ceiling, secondary shrines, and roof decorations are all very impressive. There is a moderate amount of English signage that describes the numerous deities enshrined there. Entrance is of course free; respect and humility on entering a given.
A good visit for those who want to understand the cultural diversity that makes up the country.
The site itself is definitely worth a visit. The ceiling, secondary shrines, and roof decorations are all very impressive. There is a moderate amount of English signage that describes the numerous deities enshrined there. Entrance is of course free; respect and humility on entering a given.
A good visit for those who want to understand the cultural diversity that makes up the country.
Written 7 February 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
relaxtripp
Tiruppur, India222 contributions
July 2019 • Family
Oldest temple of singapore erected at 1821. Must visit place. Two dragon eyes on the top of a building opposite to this temple safeguarding it. You have to hear the story of the temple to learn history of singapore.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oylin65
Singapore, Singapore87 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
This is one of the oldest temple in Singapore, dedicated to the deity MAZU. The riches of artifact within the temple are simply amazing. It also parallel the stories of the early immigrants who left their hometowns in mainly southern China in the early 1900s to Singapore in search of better livelihoods and fortune. The temple became a first stop to give thanks for being alive after the arduous sea journey in Chinese junks, packed with fellow immigrants.
The story of the Chinese immigrants is very nicely painted as a wall mural that runs the entire length of the back wall of the temple. Don't miss this! This mural is worth a trip to the temple. This is along Amoy Street. Apparently, a local company has an app to interact with the mural using augmented reality. Instructions can be found on either side of the wall.
What's interesting is that to the south of the road (Telok Ayer Road), the buildings and spaces facing the front gates of the temple are built on reclaimed land. The sea came to the doorstep of the temple!
Other interesting facts are: there is Indian Muslim Mosque - the Nagore Dargah - located literally next door to the temple; a mosque nested amongst the old (now conserved) shophouses; an old Chinese hospital that is now a cafe, the original site of a very established local school. It is amazing to see places of worship side by side.
The conserved shophouses have been taken over by many PR, Ad agencies and lots of eateries. Most eateries operate in the evening and are nice places to chill. There is also a very large local food Centre - Amoy Street Food Centre for local fare.
The best time to visit is the late afternoon and then to chill in one of the many entries. The nearest MRT station is the Telok Ayer station on the Downtown Line. Tanjong Pagar MRT on the EAST-WEST line is further away but still within walking distance.
The story of the Chinese immigrants is very nicely painted as a wall mural that runs the entire length of the back wall of the temple. Don't miss this! This mural is worth a trip to the temple. This is along Amoy Street. Apparently, a local company has an app to interact with the mural using augmented reality. Instructions can be found on either side of the wall.
What's interesting is that to the south of the road (Telok Ayer Road), the buildings and spaces facing the front gates of the temple are built on reclaimed land. The sea came to the doorstep of the temple!
Other interesting facts are: there is Indian Muslim Mosque - the Nagore Dargah - located literally next door to the temple; a mosque nested amongst the old (now conserved) shophouses; an old Chinese hospital that is now a cafe, the original site of a very established local school. It is amazing to see places of worship side by side.
The conserved shophouses have been taken over by many PR, Ad agencies and lots of eateries. Most eateries operate in the evening and are nice places to chill. There is also a very large local food Centre - Amoy Street Food Centre for local fare.
The best time to visit is the late afternoon and then to chill in one of the many entries. The nearest MRT station is the Telok Ayer station on the Downtown Line. Tanjong Pagar MRT on the EAST-WEST line is further away but still within walking distance.
Written 14 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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