Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

Sin Sze Si Ya is the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur, built in 1864 by Yap Ah Loy, the Kapitan China who effectively ran and rebuilt the town during and after the Selangor civil war. The deities it enshrines are two of his associates, venerated as guardians Yap believed guided him in the war: Sin Sze Ya, the Kapitan Seng Meng Lee, killed in 1860 in a dispute over tin at Sungai Ujong, and Si Sze Ya, his general Chung Piang Lai - so the temple is a piece of the city's founding politics as much as a place of worship. It sits back from Jalan Tun H S Lee behind a courtyard, and the whole building is set on a deliberate angle to the street grid on geomantic advice, which is why the approach feels slightly askew. Inside are the original altars, incense coils, a portrait of Yap himself, and carved and painted woodwork that survived the city's redevelopment around it.

History

Kapitan Seng Meng Lee ran a tin mining company at Rasah in Sungai Ujong and was killed on 26 August 1860 in a conflict over tin taxes; his subordinate Yap Ah Loy, later Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, brought his spirit tablet to Kuala Lumpur in 1864, and the temple, honouring him as Sin Sze Ya and Yap's general Chung Piang Lai as Si Sze Ya, was rebuilt in 1881 to 1883 after fire and flood (Wikipedia, Sin Sze Si Ya Temple).

What's there

• The city's oldest Chinese temple - built 1864 by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy.
• A deliberately skewed alignment - set at an angle to the street on geomantic advice.
• Altars to two fallen commanders - the deities are Yap's associates from the civil war.
• Original woodwork and incense coils - hanging through the main hall.

When to go

All year; Chinese New Year for the busiest period. Half an hour.

Before you go

Small and easily missed from the street. Incense smoke is thick and can be difficult if you are sensitive to it. It is a working temple, so be quiet and ask before photographing people.

Nearby

Petaling Street, Guandi temple and Sri Mahamariamman are all within a few minutes.

Key facts