Thian Hock Keng, Singapore新加坡天福宫

Type

Overseas Daoist Temples

Location

Singapore · Singapore · Singapore · 158 Telok Ayer Street

Coordinates

1.2811, 103.8475 Map ↗

First built

1821–1822 (originally a shrine by the shore)/1839–1842 (rebuilt) · Managed by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (founded in 1840); gazetted as a National Monument of Singapore on July 6, 1973

Heritage status

National Monument of Singapore (1973)UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award Honourable Mention (following major restoration in 2000)

Overview

Thian Hock Keng is dedicated mainly to Mazu, the Empress of Heaven, with Guanyin worshipped in the rear hall, and is the oldest and most important Hokkien temple in Singapore. Between 1821 and 1822, early Chinese immigrants set up a small shrine by the sea at Telok Ayer to give thanks to the deity on behalf of sailors — the site was then the coastline, and immigrants coming ashore would first fulfill their vows there. The temple was rebuilt between 1839 and 1842 at a cost of thirty thousand Spanish silver dollars, with most of its building materials shipped from China; it follows the traditional Southern Hokkien architectural style, with exquisite wood carving, cut-porcelain work work, and stone carving. The local Indian community also contributed donations toward the temple's construction, commemorated by an inscription within the temple, bearing witness to mutual aid among Singapore's early ethnic communities. It has been managed by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, founded in 1840. Major restoration was completed in 2000, earning an Honourable Mention in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards. It was gazetted as a National Monument of Singapore on July 6, 1973. It is a temple of popular Mazu worship that also houses a Mahayana Buddhist hall dedicated to Guanyin.

Highlights

• The oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore
• Rebuilt 1839–1842 with materials shipped from China
• A commemorative inscription for donations from the Indian community
• A National Monument of Singapore (1973)