Imagine the throng of Buddhist devotees descending upon this little Malay
fishing village to make their passage of way to this temple on top on a hill
during the auspicious days of the temple’s calendar. The temple and the village, Kampung (village) Muara Tebas best
exemplifies the racial harmony and religious tolerance in Malaysia. And
this co-existence dates back to two hundred years ago.
Ching San Yen is a Buddhist temple
located about 30 KM from Kuching City. ‘Ching San’ means ‘Green Mountain’ in Chinese.
It is situated on a 2.5 acre site on a hill, 120 ft above sea level. One has to
climb 142 steps to reach the top. "The Sarawak Book Of Amazing Facts &
Records" published by the Ministry Of Tourism of Sarawak in 2011 described Ching
San Yen Temple as the most decorative Buddhist temple in
Sarawak.
There are two versions on the origin of
Ching San Yen. The first version is when, about 200 years ago, the Chinese
immigrants who had safely arrived at the estuary of Sarawak River went on to
build the temple to thank Budhha, Bodhisattvas & Machu (Goddes Of Sea) for
their blessing of a safe voyage from China. The immigrants would come to the
temple to worship from time to time to receive blessing for good health and
good business.
The other version tells of, when Chinese came
to Sarawak to trade about two hundred years ago, they started a trading station
along the sea-side at the foot of a hill. The site was chosen for its good
geomancy to place the statue of Budhha, other Bodhisattvas & Machu
(Goddess of the Sea) in return for good business and blessings. When they
needed fresh water, Buddha indicated to them a well at the foot of the hill.
This eventually led to the building of a temple on the hill facing the sea.
The well is still in existence and had
been the source of fresh water until 1980 when water supply was extended to the
village.
Ching San Yen underwent a major
renovation and extension work in 1994 and was completed two years later.
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The view of the temple
from the jetty
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Buddha’s Feet
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Part of the 142
steps to reach the temple proper
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The seafood
restaurants get the freshest catch for your menu. And they are popular with
Kuching residents.
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Muara Tebas Malay
Village located at the foothill of the temple site.
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How To get There:
By Bus: No6A (Petra Jaya Transport
Company)
Time: 08.30am, 10.00am, 12.40pm, 2.45pm
& 5.15pm
Van Sewa: RM20.00 - RM 25.00 per
car/one way
Duration: Half-day
No admission fee
