In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur you will find the Thean Hou Temple. Perched high on a hill, this impressive Chinese temple will surprise you with its colourful details and stunning views of the city. Whether you are interested in culture, love photography or just want to escape city life, a visit to this temple is definitely worthwhile. In this blog, we share practical tips for your visit, including the best way to get there, what to expect and what to look out for.
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What is the Thean Hou Temple?
The Thean Hou Temple is a richly decorated six-storey temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. Opened in 1987, the temple is built in traditional Chinese style and beautiful lanterns hang everywhere. The main prayer hall contains three altars, each dedicated to a different goddess, including the Goddess of Mercy, the Goddess of Water and the Sea Goddess. The temple is still in active use, so you will see many people burning incense and praying there.
How do you get to the Thean Hou Temple?
The temple is located slightly outside the centre of Kuala Lumpur, on a hill in the Seputeh district. The route there is not complicated and you have several options to choose from.
- Taxi or Grab - our favourite: The easiest and fastest way to get to the temple is by taxi or a Grab (the Southeast Asian variant of Uber). From the city centre, you can reach the temple in about 10 to 15 minutes and the ride costs no more than €2 to €4.
- Public transport + walking: If you prefer to travel by public transport, take the KTM to Seputeh station. From there, it's about a 20-minute walk. Bear in mind that you will be walking up a mountain, which can be quite intense in hot weather. In addition, we found that you can't completely rely on the train departure times either. Do you have all the time? Then this option is fine but otherwise we recommend going for option 1.
- Organised tour: You can also visit the temple via an organised tour. Some tours combine a visit to the Thean Hou Temple with the Batu Caves. Still, we found it more pleasant and cheaper to go on our own, which also avoids arriving with a large group at once. Only have limited time? Then a tour can be a very nice and convenient solution, though. Tours cost around €12 via Get Your Guide.
Tip: For the Grab app or you need internet! It is therefore convenient to buy a local SIM card or arrange an e-sim card, for example through Airalo.
What you need to know before visiting the Thean Hou Temple
The Thean Hou Temple is one of the most striking temples in Kuala Lumpur. The combination of traditional Chinese architecture, red lanterns and city views makes this a must-see in our opinion. Whether you come to look around, learn something or just take a nice photo, the tips below will help you make the most of your visit.
1. This is what you can expect
Inside the temple you will find prayer halls, colourful details, statues of Chinese gods and the colour red everywhere: pillars, roofs and hundreds of lanterns. Plus, from the top floor, you have a great view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. And... if that is not enough, you can also go behind the temple to a small garden where you will find the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Nice to take a walk around and, of course, take a picture with your star sign.
2. Opening hours and entrance
The temple is open daily from 08:00 to 22:00 hour. Admission is free. So you can decide how long you stay and when you come.
3. Best time to go
In our opinion, the morning is the best time to visit the temple. Then it is still quiet and a lot less hot. Later in the day, especially on weekends or holidays, it gets busier with tourists and local visitors. So be sure to check if your visit does not coincide with a religious festival.
4. Clothing and behaviour
There are no strict dress rules, but it is neat to cover your shoulders and knees. Are you wearing shorts? Then bring a sarong for when you want to enter the prayer hall. Besides, you are allowed to take photos everywhere, but be mindful of people praying.
5. Holidays and crowds
During Chinese holidays, such as Chinese New Year or the Moon Festival, the temple is extra crowded but also extra beautifully decorated. Want to experience this once? Then make sure you are on time, as it can get very crowded.
Good to know: there are a few shops where you can buy incense, water and the like. There are also toilets available although you need to bring some toilet paper yourself ;).
Summary: We definitely recommend visiting Thean Hou Temple when in Kuala Lumpur! We hope these tips help you plan a visit to Thean Hou Temple. Still have questions? If so, feel free to drop us a line at Instagram.
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