Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels
Tua Pek Kong Temple Kuching
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia - June 2015
Kuching's Tua Pek Kong Temple although not a large temple is rather noticeable as it sits on a prominent raised platform at the centre of the city and is one of the interesting places to visit in Kuching. Built in the 1840's, it is also the oldest temple in Kuching. The locals call it the Siew San Teng.
The temple may not be big but the colourful carving of dragons on it's perimeter wall makes it an eye-catching icon. Above is a close up of one of the dragons that seem to be swimming in the blue sea.
THE ENTRANCE
Entrance is through a arched doorway at Jalan Greenhill. The green tiles of the entrance arch contrast well with the red walls of the temple.
On the walls of this entrance archway are wall frescoes of Chinese gods, like this one of GuanYu, the warrior god, sitting on a tiger.
Like most Chinese temples, this entrance is guarded by two door gods.
The entrance leads to a small compound.
The elaborate roof of the entrance arch doorway.
Close up of the entrance doorway roof detailing with dragons on the ridge.
Roof hip-end detailing showing a statue of a boy sitting on a flying crane.
Opposite the entrance is a fresco of Chinese islands in the sky, one with red-crested cranes perching on a pine tree.
Steps from an entrance lead to a secondary platform, with more steps leading to the Prayer Hall platfrom (on the left of above photo).
THE PRAYER HALL PLATFORM COMPOUND
On the top-most platform is the prayer hall with a altar to the Tua Pek Kong.
The platform has an open compound, on one side is a view of the Sarawak River.
On the other side is the view of the old quarters of the city.
On one corner sits the incense burning mini-pavilion.
Right just before entering the prayer hall is a cast iron joss burner.
A close look at the dragon head of the incense burner.
THE PRAYER HALL ENTRANCE
Red lanterns hang from the entrance ceiling, and below them are two dragon lanterns.
One of the Dragon Lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the Prayer Hall entrance.
A bottom up view of the entrance ceiling.
A golden dragon curls below the front ceiling joist.
Stylized golden elephant carving sits on one of the side ceiling joists.
On the other side joist are carvings of dragon heads.
THE PRAYER HALL
Inside the prayer hall, the altar to the Tua Pek Kong sits at the far end of the room. In front of the altar is the offering table.
Above hang lanterns below round red ceiling joists.
At on end are ornamental staffs used by the temple mediums in the trance prayers.
On one wall is a wall panel showing Chinese gods stand guard behind a couple making offerings.
On the facing wall is a wall panel of the Eight Immortals.
Tua Pek Kong Temple Kuching
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
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