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The Main Entrance
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Featured Wall right outside the Main Entrance
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| There are 2 pillars opposite one another |
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| Dragon Light Pagoda's wind chimes welcomed us with the melodic chiming |
We spent the long weekend in Toa Payoh for my uncle and cousin’s housewarming, and we were blown away by the view from their new place on the 26th floor. From there, we could see Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery. My dad had always wanted to visit the monastery to see the beautiful lantern light displays during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but we never made it because of the inconvenience. Since we were already in Toa Payoh, we decided to bring the folks over after the housewarming. Big thanks to my husband for driving us, even though it’s technically within walking distance from my uncle’s place. Their area is still new, so installing traffic lights is in process, which makes crossing the road a bit tricky and potentially dangerous, especially since the road is quite wide. I can’t help but worry about elderly people who can’t walk or even run quickly. What if something happens?
Tucked between the towering public housing flats of Toa Payoh and the PIE highway,
Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery (formerly known as Siong Lim Temple) is Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temple, featuring Hokkien architectural influences from the Chinese cities of Fuzhou, Quanzhou & Zhangzhou. Built in the 1900s on the land donated by Low Kim Pong, a Chinese businessman and Buddhist devotee, the Monastery was modelled after the historical Xichan Temple in Fuzhou, China.
It was designated as a National Monument and afforded the highest level of protection in Singapore. In the 90s and 00s, extensive restoration work was carried out to repair the temple’s structures, which had fallen into disrepair over the years.
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| Chinese architectural style with wood carvings on the roof |
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Look at the other side of the foyer with distinct wood carvings
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| Arch Doorway, leading you to different section of the Monastery |
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| Hall of the Celestial Kings (Skanda Bodhisattva) with Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism inside |
When observing the roofs of Mahavira Hall, it’s said that the upper tier, with its sharper corners, was built in the Fuzhou style, while the lower tier, featuring gentler curves, reflects the Quanzhou style. It’s a beautiful fusion of two regional styles in one structure.
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| Mahavira Hall |
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Mahavira Hall
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| Foyer of Mahavira Hall |
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| Why do I love traditional foyers here? |
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Drum Tower
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I’ve often heard about the Sutra Hall in Chinese movies, but seeing one in person, complete with its beautifully carved plaque, was truly special. Especially when I don't need to fly out to see one. As for the Dharma Hall, it was originally completed in 1903 but was rebuilt in the 1970s due to structural deterioration. And decades later, it was reconstructed once more, this time faithfully following its original architectural style from 1903, and finally completed in 2016.
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| Sutra Hall at the top level, Dharma Hall at the lower level |
I’m not a Buddhist myself (but I pray with closed palm while passing by each idol in the halls) but visiting this place gave me such a sense of peace and tranquility. The serene atmosphere, along with the centuries-old architectural details, makes you feel as though you’ve time-traveled back to a palace in ancient China. You almost forget that you’re actually stepping into a Buddhist monastery. It’s hard to put that feeling into words because I was so captivated by the beautiful surroundings or more of me being an Asian Chinese that is exposed to Chinese history through dramas and documentary, most importantly from my story-telling Dad who knows China history more than anyone else.
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| Time travel back to the ancient times in China, stepping inside a palace-like prayer hall |
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| Dragon Light Pagoda surrounded by what looks like Bonsai trees |
I can’t emphasize enough how stepping into the Monastery felt like being transported back in time to the grandeur of ancient Chinese royal palaces—almost like I was in Beijing, visiting the Forbidden City or the Palace Museum! It didn’t even feel like I was in a Singapore monastery. I was completely mesmerized, and I’m so grateful to my dad for introducing me to yet another hidden gem in Singapore. Our country is not just about modern landmarks and tourist attractions; we have places rich with history that have been passed down through generations. 60 years of independence, but our roots go much deeper than that. Foreign visitors should really do their research before coming here. I’m excited to share more of these lesser-known spots with you, so stay tuned for future posts. Enjoy!
莲山雙林襌寺Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery184 Jalan Toa Payoh
Singapore 319944
Direction: You can park your car at 194A Kim Keat Ave Multistorey carpark. Come out from the carpark, turn to your left and walk toward Block 195. There is a side gate to Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery beside the block.
