Thean Hou Temple

This was the first temple I visited in Malaysia. Just a 20-minute ride from my Airbnb near KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center). When you first arrive, your eyes are immediately drawn to the lanterns lining the sky. Then you see this captivating sight of the lanterns with this exquisite temple. The detail that goes into each temple, is still mind-blowing to me. Every inch is carved with culture and beauty. The colors are bright and gorgeous. Taking the stairs to the second level of the building is where the temple is located, where they have the dedicated room that holds the statues. This is where people are required to take their shoes off in order to enter. You see signs about wearing the appropriate attire, covering your shoulders and short/skirt length just above your knees or longer. Once you remove your shoes, you see all the offerings that guests are buying and offering to the Buddhas. From incents to flower lights. If you are buddist, you bow before you cross the door frame, though if you are not buddist you are welcome to still enter without bowing. Just be respectful of those who are as you pass them while they bow. Entering this room to see the 3 statues with more offering in front of them. You immediately see this blue detailed ceiling. 

While taking in all the beauty, I observe that there is this round silver metal piece with tiny drawers labeled by numbers. I watch as someone raises these sticks sitting at the top. When released, there is 1 stick that stays higher than the others, you pull it up to see what number is on the stick. Then find the correlating number on the outside to open the drawer and pull out the note inside. I assume it’s a fortune or prediction. I watched as several people did it and it was neat to see. One more look at the beautiful ceiling and statues and headed out to put my shoes back on. Then take a colorful staircase to a courtyard that had small statues of each animal of every chinese zodiac animal and a small description of that animal’s symbolism. As you leave, you notice at the entrance that there is a fountain and another statue with a koi pond. 

One more thing I could not get over, was the detailing of the roof of the temple. There were dragons with beautiful colors. 

I spent maybe an hour slowly exploring but would not say you’d spend much more than that unless you decide to enjoy any of the food or tea vendors outside the temple. At night it is said to be quite beautiful as well with the lanterns lit. Whichever time works in your schedule, put this beautiful temple on your list of things to see while in Kuala Lumpur