Ngee Ann Kongsi - Yueh Hai Ching Temple (Wak Hai Cheng Bio)

Yueh Hai Ching Temple (Wak Hai Cheng Bio)

The oldest Teochew temple in Singapore, the Wak Hai Cheng Bio now stands in the middle of the prime business district of Raffles Place. Despite being dwarfed by surrounding skyscrapers, the 175-year-old Taoist temple commands attention with its imposing entrance and wide courtyard.

The temple, whose name literally translates into "temple of the calm sea built by the Guangdong people", was the first stop for Chinese immigrants in the early 19th century. Before clan associations were organised, temples were the focal point of social activity and many immigrants sought solace in temples such as the Wak Hai Cheng Bio, then situated on the waterfront.

Designed by Chinese craftsmen, the temple was constructed with rosewood imported from China. It has an elaborate roofscape while legendary Chinese figures are engraved on the walls. Wooden tablets with auspicious characters donated by traders and devotees and even one bestowed by Emperor Guang Xu of the Qing Dynasty - indicating the temple's close ties with China can be seen within its perimeter.

It is divided into two portions, one dedicated to Tua Lau Yah or Heavenly Father and another to Ma Zhou or Heavenly Mother. The temple is especially busy during the 1st and 15th day every month of the Lunar calendar, and the 3rd and 23rd days of the third month, which celebrate the birthdays of the Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother.

In 1845, the management of the temple was taken over by the Ngee Ann Kongsi, which acquired the current temple site. Between 1852 and 1855, with funds from the Teochew community, the Kongsi constructed a new temple that was to become a symbol of the Teochews' growing eminence in Singapore.

After nearly a century and a half in existence and a painstaking two year restoration by artisans from China ending 1997, the temple was gazetted as a National Monument. The restoration process included cleaning and patching up the temple's elaborate wooden carvings and figurines. Broken roof and terracotta floor tiles were replaced with similar tiles from China.

Today, the impressive temple attracts not only devotees who pray for safety and luck, but also many tourists.