Sam Kow Tong Temple - There Be Dragons

There's stark contrast between the roof design and the interiors of Sam Kow Tong Temple. While dragons populate above, the main prayer hall is less "adventurous", and this is evident upon entry into the temple lobby which has gray walls. There's a diorama of Chinese epic characters but they're mainly concentrated on a tableau. There are a few dragons inside and the main altar is decorated with several picture frames studded with gold bas relief. The deities are smaller too, unlike the huge golden Buddhas of other temples.

Sam Kow Tong Temple is another find borne out of my monorail commutes from KL Sentral to Imbi. The temple is located in the vicinity of KL Sentral, with its entrance along Jalan Thambypillai, parallel to the street where the monorail is (across KL Sentral). Since most of this area is dotted with Indian restaurants and garment shops, finding a Buddhist temple is unexpected. The entrance building is painted pink, and you get to enter through the side of the temple. There's a parking lot directly facing the temple. Hotel Sentral is visible nearby. Admission is free of charge.

I've long realized that the importance of a specific place is different among locals and among tourists. Those who practice their faith will surely render it more importance than those who are merely after beauty and intricate designs. Though this temple isn't particularly fetching to my tourist eye, I am quite sure that it's an important entity among the faithful who find solace in the corners of this dragon-filled temple.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The temple's side entrance from Jalan Thambypillai.

Temple lobby leading towards the main prayer hall.

Diorama of legendary Chinese characters drawn on tiles.

Main central altar. Notice the golden frames placed side by side.

The back of the temple building along Jalan Thambypillai where the entrance is.

Old Town coffee house at the corner of Jalan Thambypillai.

Traffic along Jalan Thambypillai.

Chan She Shu Yuen Temple - The Green Temple of KL's Maharajalella

Another treasure in the Maharajalella area of Kuala Lumpur is the lavishly decorated Chan She Shu Yuen Temple just across Guan Yin Temple. This temple is a Clan House and is considered the city's most impressive. It's easy to see why. In fact, you somehow expect an on-going festivity once you're inside this temple: beautiful red lanterns hang down the courtyard; a tapestry of intricately carved Chinese legendary characters and goddesses adorn the light green walls; the welcome door is punctuated by gilded wooden carvings with deliciously flashy stained glass; even the ceilings are strategically designed to showcase the temple. It's easy to get camera-crazy in this picture-perfect temple. In fact, even the contour of the roof looks like green sinewy creatures.

WELCOMING CLANS

This Assembly Hall, like most clan houses, reminds me of the assembly halls in Hue (Vietnam). It was constructed in 1906 with the immediate goal of welcoming newly arrived immigrants from China, specifically those belonging to the Chan, Chen and Tan clan. The front wall is tiled with green bricks thus its informal name - the Green Temple. This festive temple is a worthy itinerary in any KL trip. Who would believe that after all my visits in KL, I've never discovered this temple until now... and I didn't even need a guide to point me here. It only took me a monorail ride and a fast glimpse for the inspiration.

This Green Temple, like Guan Yin Temple, is an easy walk from Chinatown and Petaling Street - or a ride via the monorail. Visit is free of charge and it's open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.

LAZY MAHARAJALELLA TICKET GIRL

There was a moment of annoyance during this visit. When I went back to the Maharajalella Station, I purchased my monorail ticket going to KL Sentral (I was trying to find another temple in that area). There was a girl manning the ticket counter. I was the only customer in the station so it was a wonder why this lazy personnel - who was doing absolutely nothing - wouldn't sell me a ticket. She pointed me to the ticket machine. Though I don't really mind this, I did huff at the discrepancy in the ticket price! Two train stops only cost me 1.60 ringgit by purchasing my ticket from the ticket counter - but for some reason, the ticket rate from the ticket machine fetches a baffling 3.60 ringgit! That is 2 ringgit more expensive! Now why should I pay more than necessary? Because this lazy girl doesn't want to do her darn job! Though this amount is really pittance, it annoys me that I had to pay more than I needed to just because someone refuses to do her job! I just hope the concerned authorities take note of this!

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Green bricks on the entrance walls.

Intricately carved Chinese characters adorn the wall.

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Red lanterns hang at the courtyard.

Elevator stair at the Maharajalella Station.

There's one lady at the ticket counter who refuses to sell tickets. She just sits there staring at the glass. She refers customers (there's hardly any) to the ticket machine because she's busy yawning.

Ticket machine has more expensive rate than over-the-counter tickets. This discrepancy of 2 ringgit baffles.