Yueh Hai Ching Temple (Wak Hai Cheng Bio); Singapore

One of the oldest temples in Singapore, the Yueh Hai Ching Temple (Chinese: 粵海清廟Yuè Hǎi Qīng Miào; Teochew/Chaozhou dialect: Wak Hai Cheng Bio) was built in 1820 by sailors and traders from China to seek the Gods' help for safe travels on the sea. The temple literally means: "Qing Dynasty Styled Temple of the Cantonese Seas".  The temple was dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, Ma Zu (Chinese: 媽祖) and was the first Ma Zu temple of the Teochews who settled in Singapore.

The temple was built for the Teochew community, whose lives, much like the Hokkien are tied to the sea. The temple's overall design follows that of southern Chinese style and architecture. Designed with rosewood imported all the way from China, it is the only temple in Singapore to have intricately detailed three-dimensional moulded ornaments on its roof as well as craved and engraved on the temple walls.

In 1899, Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (Aixin Jueluo Zaitian; Chinese: 愛新覺羅·載湉) presented the temple with a plaque with the characters of: Shu Hai Xiang Yun (English: "Auspicious New Sea/Land). This hang over Ma Zu in black characters on a gold background.

"Auspicious New Sea/Land"

Nowadays however, it is known as "The Temple of Love" because of the presence of Yue Lao (Chinese: 月下老人 Literally: "Old Man Under The Moon"), the bearded elderly matchmaker who resides on the moon. He is in charge of tying a red string on the pinky fingers of 2 people who are destined to fall in love and get married. There is a saying: "Marriages are made in Heaven, but prepared on the Moon", and Yue Lao is that God who does so. Yue Lao is also the God for happiness. maintaining good relationships with family and friends.

The temple also houses and has altars for other Deities/Gods as well:

*Main Deities 主神/佛
Xuan Tian Shangdi 玄天上帝
Ma Zu 媽祖

Eight Immortals 八仙
City God (Cheng Huang Ye) 城隍爷
Hua Gong 花公
Hua Po 花婆
Tua Pek Kong (Da Bo Gong) 大伯公
Current Year Tai Sui 当年太岁
Guanyin 观音
Gan Tian Da Di 感天大帝
Madam Zhu Sheng 注生娘娘
Monkey King 齐天大圣
Sa Ya Pek 三爷伯
Tiger God 虎爷
Hua Tuo (God of Medicine) 华佗
Tua Li Ya Pek 大二爷伯
Justice Bao 包青天
Long Wei Sheng Wang 龙尾圣王
Ji Gong 济公
Zhang Gong Sheng Jun 张公圣君 (法主公)
Guan Di 关帝
Moon Goddess 月宫娘娘
God of Wealth 财神爷
General Dark Face (Hei Mian Jiang Jun) 黑面将军
General Red Face (Hong Mian Jiang Jun) 红面将军
4 Heavenly Kings - Dhrita-rastra, Vidradhaka, Virapaksa, Vaisravana 四大天王- 持国天王、增长天王、广目天王、多闻天王
Liu Jin Sheng Hou (Qian Li Yan, Shun Feng Er) 柳金圣侯 (千里眼, 顺风耳)
Yue Lao God of Marriage (old man under the moon) 月下老人

The Yueh Hai Ching Temple was gazetted as a National Monument by the Preservation of Monuments Board in November 1, 1994. The temple has also been mananged and taken care of by The Ngee Ann Kongsi since 1845.

The Yueh Hai Ching is definitely beautiful and has its own unique charm. The contrast between it's outer gray walls with its colourful roofs draws you in.

*An Important Thing to Note of When Inside the Temple: Photgraphy isn't allowed inside the temple, but generally is ok in the temple's exterior. It's a way to be respectful not only of the Gods/Deities but also for the devotees who might be praying when you visit the temple. Just be mindful and respect the rules of the temple. Also when you are taking photos of the temple's exteriors, don't use the strobe light/flash of your camera.

The Yueh Hai Ching Temple is located at:

 #30B Phillip St, Singapore 048696

Operating Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm

*1st and 15th day of each lunar month: 7:00am-5:00pm

Directions from MRT Stations (via Walking):

From Telok Ayer MRT Station:

Walk straight up Telok Ayer Street
Turn left on Church Street
Turn right on Phillip Street

*about a 2 minute walk

From Raffles Place MRT Station:

Walk down on D'almeida Street
Turn right on Collyer Quay
Turn right on Church Street
Turn right on Phillip Street

*about a 4 minute walk