TAOIST TEMPLE CEBU

We also visited Taoist Temple, located in the wealthy residential suburb of Beverly Hills about 6 km. north of downtown Cebu. We took a local taxi to get there and we asked the driver to wait for us for a few minutes because we knew we could hardly find a cab to get back to the hotel.

There were only few people when we got there, maybe because many of the Taoist devotees have their rituals done particulary on Wednesdays and Sundays, to light joss sticks and have their fortunes read by the monks.


The temple was built by substantial Chinese community who make up about 15% of Cebu's population. The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze.


Built in 1972, the Taoist Temple is constructed in highly ornate and, some would say, gaudy style of Chinese architecture, and is topped with pagoda style roof. It has a towering, multi-tiered, muli-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes. Various attractions consist of huge and colorful dragon, a replica of the Great Wall of China, spacious balconies offering scenic views, souvenir shops, mini library with instructional materials, and dozens of escalating steps.



The temple has an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, so when we climbed its 99 steps to reach to the top, we were satisfied and enjoyed the nice scenery of Cebu City.

(source: Fabulous Philippines / Phil. Hearing )

Thean Hou Temple

We also went to one of the largest temples in South-East Asia, the Thean Hou Temple. It's impressive architecture combines traditional Chinese elements with modern architectural techniques. Located on a 1.67 acres of land on top of Robson heights off Jalan Syed Putra, managed by the Selangor and Federal Territory Hainan Association.

The temple has four levels. The lowest level houses the nursery, souvenir shops and a canteen, while the first floor is the main hall where cultural and religious activities are held.

On the second level, one can find the marriage registration office and resource center. Couples like to come to the temple to take their wedding photographs. Every, year, more than 5,000 young couples register at the temple.

Offices are located on the third floor and fourth level has 3 tiers and a prayer hall. As one enters tha hall, the Tian Hou Goddess sits majestically between the Goddess of the Waterfront known as Shui Wei Sheng Niang and the Goddess of Mercy, known to the Chinese as Guan Yin.



This syncretic temple with elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism is a grandiose structure featuring decorative beams, spectacular roofs, domed ceiling, murals, ornate carvings and intricate embellishments.



Since the opening, the temple has been endorsed by the Tourism Development Council as a tourist destination that represents the Malaysian Chinese.

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