The lantern courtyard
Rows of hanging red lanterns, the temple's signature image.
*angys* — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia — CC BY 2.0
Six tiers of sweeping red roofs and hundreds of hanging lanterns on a hill above the city: this is one of the largest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia, built by the Hainanese Chinese community and opened in 1989, dedicated to the sea goddess of Chinese folk belief. The visit is visual above all. The upper courtyard with its rows of red lanterns is the famous photograph, and the terraces around it look out over the Kuala Lumpur skyline. The painted ornament, the dragons on the roof ridges and the carved columns reward a close look even for visitors with no interest in the religious side. It remains a working temple where people come to pray, so quiet and respect are expected, and photographing rituals up close is inappropriate. Entry is free and donations optional. At Chinese New Year, in January or February, the temple is lit up and extremely crowded: beautiful, but busy. It sits on a hill south of the centre with no train stop nearby, so a taxi from downtown, about fifteen minutes, is the easy option. Going near sunset gives you the lit lanterns and the view together.
Rows of hanging red lanterns, the temple's signature image.
The upper terraces look out over the KL skyline.
Dragons on the roofs, carved columns and vivid colour.
Persiaran Endah, Robson Hill, Kuala Lumpur
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National Museum of MalaysiaFive ringgit, one of the cheapest things you will pay for in Kuala Lumpur, buys 22 minutes walk4.2It is a cultural and architectural visit for the view and photographs, and the courtyard and terraces involve no ritual at all. Anyone who prefers not to enter the prayer halls can keep to the courtyard and the view, which are the best of it anyway.