Located in the Jalan Tokong of Malacca state of Malaysia, The Cheng Hoon Teng temple happens to be the oldest temple in the country which is still active. It is dedicated to Kuan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy.

It was founded in the 1600s by the Chinese Kapitan Tay Kie Ki alias Tay Hong Yong. Kaptians were the heads of the various ethnic groups of Malaysia during the Portuguese and the Dutch rule. Initially, apart from serving as a religious centre, the temple also played the role of official administrative centre and a court of justice for the Kapitans. In 1801, the temple was reconstructed under the supervision of Kapitan Chua. Later, the successive Kapitans and Teng Choos contributed to make further additions to the temple and also ornated it. Teng Choos became the leader of the temple post the abolishment of the Kapitan system.

Still later, a Board of Trustees was formed to take care of the temple. One of the principle figures of the board, Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock, moved an ordinance and got the temple incorporated under the Act of Parliament in 1949, thereby securing its future and setting its role as guardian of the community's spiritual and cultural heritage. The year 2003 was also good for the Cheng Hoon Teng temple as it got listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, apart from the Buddhists, the temple also attracts a number of followers of Taoism and Confucianism. The temple is quiet during the daytime, but as the sun sets, a stream of vistors pour in to worship and to offer incense and flowers. As a devotee, you can also consult the nuns and the monks of the temple in spiritual as well as other issues like births, marriages, health, death and the after life. You can also be a part of the daily prayer which is carried out at 4 pm. Every day, the temple is open from 7 am to 7 pm barring the Chinese New Year's eve when it remains open all through the night.


Architecture, Structures and Decorations
The architecture of the temple is a testimony to the skills of the Chinese migrant builders and craftsmen. These workers had come from the southern provinces of China, primarily from Fujian and Guandong. The temple is laid out as per the principles of feng shui and ensures a glimpse of the river and high ground on either side. Structurally, the temple is segregated into three parts - lower, middle and upper. The lower section has a base plinth of stonework while the pillars supporting the roofs via a truss system, form the middle section. The truss system, the beams and the roof form the upper section. The entire structure is constrcuted in a manner that allows air to circulate freely inside.

The complex comprises a main prayer hall, anterior prayer pavilion and auxiliary buildings to the rear and the sides. The Main Prayer hall is deidcated to Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy whose image occupy the main altar. The altar on the left side is deidcated to Goddess Ma Choe Po, Guardian of Fishermen and Seamen while the one of the right is deidcated to several deities - Datuk Poh Seng Tye Tay (Guardian Deity of Well Being) and Datuk Hiap Tian Tye Tay (God Kwan Ti - God of Justice and his assistants)and Thai Sway Yah (God of Worldly Human Welfare).

Decorations in the temple include sculpture of Golden phoenixes and dragons, wall paintings depicting scenes from the Three Kingdoms and carvings of mythical dragons and sages of various nationalities. These can be seen both on the outer and the inner side of the temple.


Malacca/ Melaka
Malacca/ Melaka, located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula on the Straits of Malacca, is the second smallest state of Malaysia after Perlis. The town of Melaka, which lies 150 km south of the Malacca Strait, is the capital city. The city covers an area of 303 sqkm and has a population of 180,671. The city makes for a good visit with its various attractions which includes museums, mosques, temples and churches. The river Melaka, along both banks of which the city spreads, is an attractions in itself.

If you are visiting Melaka, you will not need to worry about your accommodation and dining since their are plenty of options available. Dining out, specially, will give you a number of cuisine option - Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and Malay.