Showing 1-14 of 14 results
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Buddhist Maha Vihar
The huge Buddhist Maha Vihar, centred on a stucco Buddhist shrine dating from 1895, was founded by Sinhalese Buddhists.
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Chan She Shu Yuen Temple
Facing the Bulatan Merdeka roundabout, the Chan She Shu Yuen Temple features a stunning tiled roof with dioramas of celestial scenes and dramatic woodcarvings inside the main shrine. There's also a library with 4000 Chinese books.
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Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery
Just down the road from the consumer excesses of Suria KLCC, you can retreat into quiet meditation at this expansive Buddhist temple. Although modern, the calm spaces, potted bonsai, mandala ceilings and giant gilded statues create an appropriately contemplative mood. The shrine is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion, represented by the central statue in the main shrine.
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Guan Yin Temple
Also facing the Bulatan Merdeka roundabout, the Guan Yin Temple is less dramatic than the Chan She Shu Yuen Temple but worth seeing for its golden Chinese Buddhist statues.
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Guandi Temple
The 1886 Guandi Temple is full of atmosphere. The main hall is hung with fragrant coils of spiral incense, paper clothes and money that are burned to bring good fortune to the ancestors. The temple is dedicated to Kwan Ti, a historical Chinese general revered by Taoists as the god of war.
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Kampung Baru Mosque
Built in 1924 with a handsome gateway decorated with eye-catching tiles in traditional Islamic patterns. Stalls around the mosque sell religious paraphernalia, including white kopia and black songkok, the traditional head coverings for Malay Muslim men. It's a short stroll west from here to Chow Kit and the Bazaar Baru market.
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Masjid Jamek
Set in a grove of palm trees, the Masjid Jamek is KL's most delightful mosque. Built in 1907, the mosque is a tranquil creation of onion domes and minarets of layered pink and cream bricks; it looks its best at sunset. Dress appropriately (covered limbs, and headscarves for women).
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Masjid Negara
The principal place of worship for KL's Malay Muslim population is the gigantic Masjid Negara. The mosque was inspired by the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Its umbrella-like blue-tile roof has 18 points symbolising the 13 states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam. Rising above the mosque, a 74m-high minaret issues the call to prayer that can be heard across Chinatown. Non-Muslims are welcome to visit outside of prayer times but dress appropriately and remove your shoes before entering.
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Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
The most striking religious monument in old KL, this Hindu shrine was founded by migrant workers from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in 1873. Flower-garland vendors crowd the entrance and the temple is crowned by a huge gopuram (temple tower) covered in riotously colourful statues of Hindu deities.
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St Mary's Cathedral
At the far end of the Merdeka Square is St Mary's Cathedral, looking every inch the white-washed English country church. The church was built in 1894 by the colonial administration and it still maintains a small Anglican congregation. The best time to visit is during the Sunday service.
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Sze Ya Temple
On a narrow alleyway near the Central Market, the Taoist Sze Ya Temple is probably the most atmospheric Chinese temple in KL. The temple was constructed in 1864 on the instructions of Yap Ah Loy, the semi-official founder of Kuala Lumpur. You can see a statue of Yap Ah Loy just left of the main altar. The slightly odd position, squished between rows of shophouses, was determined by feng shui.
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Tatt Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara
Stroll east from the Bazaar Baru Market along Jln Raja Alang to peek at the Tatt Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara, the largest Sikh Temple in Southeast Asia and spiritual home for KL's 75,000 Sikhs.
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Thean Hou Temple
The Chinese community has created some impressive modern temples around KL, including this ornate temple, just south of Brickfields. Crowning a forested hilltop, this towering shrine is full of gaudy statuary and topped by a soaring dragon roof. The main shrine is dedicated to the Heavenly Mother, Thean Hou, flanked by Guan Yin (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) on the right and Shuiwei Shengniang (the Goddess of the Waterfront) to her left.
Showing 1-14 of 14 results
