Didn't get time to post this yesterday, but I made two temple stops. Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest Fukian ethnic Chinese temple. Like the Chiaozhou Chinese, the Fukianeses' livelihood was also closely related to the sea. THK Temple is a stunning example of southern Chinese temple architecture, built from 1839-1842 on a location of a smaller josh house that had been in place since 1821. The Fukianese offered prayers to the Daoist Goddess of the Sea, thanking her for safe passage across the perilous South Chinese Sea. There is a secondary temple in the back dedicated to the Buddhist Goddes of Mercy, Kuan Yin (Avalokiteśvara). Wandering through one feels a sense of calm presence induced by the chanted mantras prayers.
The immediate fore-court of the temple complex.
Note teh decorative eaves and classic Chinese roof architecture. The under-eave carvings are painted over with gold.
The beautiful exterior entrance flanked by skyscrapers.
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