A Temple of Heaven roof
A round blue hall.
Cun Cun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cun Cun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cun Cun — CC BY-SA 4.0
A large Chinese temple on Tikus beach in Sungailiat, one of Bangka island's biggest temples and most striking modern landmarks, facing straight out to sea. Bangka has a large, long-established Chinese community whose ancestors came from southern China to work the tin mines from the eighteenth century. The temple catches the eye with its round hall and tiered blue roof in the style of Beijing's famous Temple of Heaven, its red and gold colours, statues and carving, and its wide courtyard open to the beach and granite boulders. It is dedicated to three traditional Chinese faiths together. Entry is free, and it is open to visitors of all faiths in modest dress, with respect for worshippers and no touching of the altars. It is busiest at Chinese New Year. A visit takes half an hour to an hour, with a fine sea view from the courtyard. Combine it with nearby Parai Tenggiri Beach on a tour of the island's north.
A round blue hall.
A courtyard open to the beach.
A centuries-old Chinese community.
Tikus beach, Sungailiat, Bangka
Yes, the temple is open to visitors of all faiths in modest dress and quietly, avoiding close-up photos of worshippers.