Thean Hou Temple, one of the largest Chinese temples in South-East Asia, is located on top of Robson Hill (or Heights) off Jalan Syed Putra, near the Mid-Valley shopping centre. It was completed in 1987 and officially opened in 1989. Since its opening, the temple has been endorsed by the Tourism Development Council as a tourist destination. Thean Hou Temple belongs to the Hainanese Association of Selangor and Federal Territory, which was built by the Hainanese community living in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to Goddess Thean Hou (The Heavenly Mother).

The Hainanese is people originating from the island of Hainan in China. They were traditionally fishermen and sailors, praying to and worshipping Tian Hou for safety and protection every time while they were at sea. This practice has continued even though their community in Kuala Lumpur no longer goes out to sea. The people coming to this temple for worship are majority the Chinese population of various dialects. Thousands of people visit the temple every year to offer prayers to the three deities or Goddesses called the Thean Hou, Guan Yin, and Shui Wei Sheng Niang.

Thean Hou temple is a striking six-tiered Chinese temple with impressive architecture that combined the religious elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. This magnificent religious monument is one of the largest Chinese temples outside the Orient. The grandiose building structure was designed in an interesting combination of Chinese modern architectural and authentic traditional design. Prominent features of the structure include decorative beams, imposing pillars, spectacular roofs, ornate carvings, dome ceiling and elaborate embellishments. These grand architecture designs have made Thean Hou temple a popular tourist destination.

The garden at the front of the Thean Hou temple features statues of Goddesses Guan Yin, The Three Wise Men, and The Twelve Animals’ Sculptures in the Chinese astrology. The Three Wise Men are the God of Prosperity and Happiness who holds a child, the God of Wealth who holds a sceptre sword, and the God of Longevity who holds a staff and a peach.

Souvenir stalls and canteen can be found on the Thean Hou Temple first level. The second level houses the multi-purpose hall while offices are located on the third level. The fourth level is where the prayer hall situated.

The front entrance of Thean Hou temple features a multi-arched gateway with red colour pillars which symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Dragons are prominently featured in Thean Hou temple. At the Thean Hou fourth level, visitors can find mural of fierce dragons in the courtyard and writhing dragons on the prayer hall’s white pillars. The dragon images are also seen on many of the walls and roofs. Dragon was the most revered of all animals during ancient times in the legend that symbolize life, a sign of vigilance, strength and goodness.

The prayer hall houses three altars, each with a sculpture of one deity or goddess. As we walks into the prayer hall, the altar on the right is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin; Goddess Thean Hou is at the centre; and Goddess of the Waterfront, Shui Wei Sheng Niang is at the left. There are two pairs of Kau Cim o

racles in the middle of the prayer hall between the altars that can be used by visitors. It is a Chinese fortune telling practice of requesting answers from the sacred oracle lot. Visitors can have their fortune told at the prayer hall. Each pair of Kau Cim oracles consists of a cylindrical container with small drawers around it. Numbered sticks have been placed in the container. Visitors will need to draw up the whole bundle of sticks and drop them back into the container

. The sole stick that sticks out is your ‘luck’. You then match the number on the stick with the appropriate drawer. Each drawer contains pink slips of paper with the fortune told in Chinese and English.

Other statues like the laughing Buddha, Milefo; Wei Tuo; the God of War, Guan Di further contribute to Thean Hou temple’s hodgepodge. Visitors are welcome to make a donation to the donation boxes in the prayer hall to contribute to the maintenance of the temple.

Apart from Guan Yin’s altar in the prayer hall, visitors can find a smaller Guan Yin statue located at the right of the hall, set amongst rocks and falling water. Visitors can kneel and receive a blessing of water from the Guan Yin statue. Outside the temple at the entrance to the grounds, there is a larger Guan Yin statue, similarly set amongst rocks and falling water. Other features include a Chinese Medicinal Herbs Garden, a Wishing Well as well as a Tortoise Pond.

Thean Hou temple is also a place offering marriage registration services. Many couples wishing to get married and newlyweds are frequently seen here doing video filming and picture taking. The Thean Hou Temple’s multi-purpose hall on the second level is available for the wedding reception and dinner.

Every year, Thean Hou Temple houses many Chinese religious and cultural activities such as the grand birthday celebrations for Goddess Thean Hou, Goddess Kuan Yin and the Goddess of the Waterfront are conducted at Thean Hou. Buddhist activities include Dharma Prayers and Wesak Day celebrations. Cultural activities include the annual Moon Cake Festival during the eighth lunar month and the Chinese New Year celebration. In addition, there are traditional Chinese exercises and martial arts activities such as QiGong, Tai-Chi and WuShu classes are conducted at the Thean Hou temple.

Getting there: Thean Hou Temple is very near to Kuala Lumpur city Mid-Valley shopping centre. The most convenient way is to take a taxi from the Kuala Lumpur city centre or visitors can go to Mid-Valley shopping centre and take a taxi from there. There are many tours to the temple, but the temple itself is free.

Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 9pm.

Address and contact: Persatuan Hainan Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (Thean Hou Temple)
65, Persiaran Endah, Off Jalan Syed Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-22747088, 22740625, 22740630, 22740631

Place of interest:

1. Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur Sri Mahamariamman Temple, is located at the edge of...
2. Sze Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur Sze Ya Temple is the oldest Taoist Temple in...
3. Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association, Kuala Lumpur Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association is one of the...
4. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park One of the popular tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur is...
5. Central Market, Kuala Lumpur Central Market is one of the main Malaysian Cultural Shopping...