A Temple That Tells Where Great Fortune Lies

If fortune telling is your cup of tea, the Sze Ya Temple is your best bet! The Sze Ya Temple has a very interesting architecture whereby it is build at an awkward angle along a narrow alley off Lebuh Pudu. It’s believed that this position is determined by the principles of good feng shui practice which will bring good will and health to its occupants.

Aside from its attractive architecture feature, the Sze Ya temple is rich in history as it is one of the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur. The temple was founded in 1864 by Yap Ah Loy, the third Kapitan China of Kuala Lumpur. Kapaitan China literally means head of the Chinese. As a philanthropist himself and his vast fortune, Yap Ah Loy funded the construction of the temple single-handedly.

To commemorate Yap Ah Loy contribution to the construction of the temple, a statue of Loy has been installed on the left of the main altar. On the right, images of patron deities Si Sze Ya and Sin Sze Ya is beautifully crafted on the wall. Other interesting features of the temple worth taking a look are the interior is filled with elaborate carvings and the smell of burning incense permeate throughout the entire temple. The entrance is magnificently decorated with two fierce lions which are common feature in Chinese and Taoist temples. The role of the lions are believed to be the guardians of the temple.

If you believe in fortune telling, then you have come to the right place at Sze Ya temple. For an extra charge, visitors can have their fortunes told inside the temple by a Taoist. All in all, Sze Ya temple is a place worth visiting in view of its history and some interesting features of the building. Although the temple is over 100 years of age, it has been beautifully restored and renovated but its original faces are kept intact.

The temple is located at Lebuh Pudu and is accessible through Light Rail Transits. You can stop at the Pasar Seni LRT station and from there it takes only about 10 to 15 minutes of walk to the temple.

Sze Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Sze Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Sze Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur

The Temple of the Chan Family malaysia

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple is a finest example of southern Chinese architecture in Malaysia. The temple is built between 1897 and 1906 and some of its magnificent features are pottery-tiled roof and gables as well as specially crafted ceramics depicting mythological scenes . Several pillars supporting the temple bear images of warriors battling lions and mythical creatures. The edges of the temple are blue ceramic vases while standing on either side of the main entrance are shrines to the female and male guardians of the doorway. The smell of incense burning permeate throughout the temple.

The temple was originally built as a clan association, representing families bearing the related names of Chan, Chen, or Tan and is dedicated to the family ancestor. The clan founders are depicted at the central altar of the temple. You can also see some of the deceased black and white pictures of the clan members above the altar on the right and left of the temple. Some of these pictures look hand drawn and it look kind of freaky as the image is extremely real life.

If you are bearing the surname of Chan, Chen or Tan, you probably can find out more about the history of your ancestor at this temple. The temple is located on Petaling Street. As such, you can visit the temple during the day. When the night comes, you can head out to the Petaling Streets. The temple can be accessed from the Pasar Seni LRT station which takes about 10 to 20 minutes of walk.

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. It’s the nation biggest city with a population of 1.5 million people. Kuala Lumpur is considered a relatively young city which have transformed from a humble town in the 1850s to a financial powerhouse today. Aside from its modernity which encompasses magnificent skyscrapers, sophisticated restaurant and colorful nightlife, Kuala Lumpur also possess a rich cultural heritage that is revealed in its colonial architecture, temples and mosques as well as its various ethnic backgrounds.

As its name implies, Kuala Lumpur literally means muddy confluence in Malay. The name is derived from its location at the point where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet. History reveals the city was established in the Klang Valley in 1857 which the city back then was a ramshackle trading post for the booming tin mining industry. At that period of time, Kuala Lumpur was constantly plagued by floods, fires and civil wars.

The early population of Kuala Lumpur was mainly Chinese miners and traders who were mostly governed by a Kapitan China or headman. One of the famous Kapitan China was Yap Ah Loy. His popularity was mainly due to his contribution to the early city’s growth.

As industry boom began in 1880 after the British took control of Kuala Lumpur, the city was made the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States in 1896. The city was soon seeing a large influx of population made up of various ethnic backgrounds. In 1999, Putrajaya became the new administrative capital but Kuala Lumpur remains the country financial and commercial hub.

Even though Kuala Lumpur has been developed into a sophisticated and modern city now, its rich history can be traced back in the 19th-century architecture of the old colonial district and in neighboring Chinatown. The Chinatown is especially attractive with its incense-filled temples and chatter-filled coffee shops. Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines are the most popular in Kuala Lumpur and can be easily found in places such as Kampung Baru, Little India and Chow Kit. As Kuala Lumpur is rich with culture and history, the modern city is witnessing a blend of the old with the new.

Kuala Lumpur can be best explored at several areas such as the Golden Triangle where it’s the hub of the city nightlife, while the Petronas Twin Towers dominate the business district of KLCC in the northeast. Besides, the tranquil Lake Gardens at the southwest are a perfect escape from the urban clutter. Moreover, you can see Kuala Lumpur’s old colonial core at Merdeka Square which is dominated by elegant colonial buildings.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre Travel Map

Getting To Kuala Lumpur
The state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the main gateway into the country and services over 45 international airlines. KL is situated about 55km from the airport. A non-stop 28-minute ride on the KLIA Ekspres will connect visitors to the KL Sentral Station in the city.

KL is also easily accessible from Port Klang, the country’s largest seaport. An excellent road and rail network links KL to various parts of the country, including Thailand, the northern neighbor, and Singapore to the south.