Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Melaka

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is a Chinese temple located near the Jonker Street Night Market in the historic Malaysian town of Melaka, also known as Malacca.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is open every day from 07:00 to 19:00 and admission is free.

About Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is believed to be the oldest operational Chinese temple in Malaysia. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple was founded in 1645 by the ‘Chinese Kapitan’ of Melaka. The position of Chinese Kapitan was created by the Dutch colonial government of Melaka to enable an Asian representative of the colonial government to govern local residents on their behalf.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple, where Taoist and Confucian traditions are also represented. Many Chinese Buddhist also hold Taoist and Confucian beliefs and the three different doctrines are generally seen as compatible, which is why you typically see Taoist deities, and shrines to Confucius, alongside representations of the Lord Buddha in Chinese temples.

One of the most striking features of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is its ornate entrance gate. On passing through the main gate visitors come to a courtyard and the large porch of the main temple building.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is an active place of worship and many people of Chinese heritage visit the temple to make offerings, particularly the burning of incense, and say prayers. As well as praying to the various deities represented at the temple, worshippers also come to pray to their ancestors as per the Taoist tradition.

The main shrine at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. To the left side of the statue of Guan Yin is Ma Choe Poh, the Goddess of the oceans, and to the right Kuan Ti Yeh, the God of merchants and traders. This highly ornate shrine room features large amounts of black lacquered work decorated with Chinese script in gold paint and red fabric and string hanging from the walls and roof. The main shrine room is the part of the temple that most visitors come to see. 

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple also has several secondary shrines, each dedicated to various different deities and historical figures including the Taoist God of War and Confucius. Worshippers will often come to pray to a specific shrine as is appropriate to the particular issue or problem that they are currently experiencing in life. There are also several rooms at the temple dedicated to ancestor worship, with the names of the ancestors of local people written on wooden blocks in glass fronted display cabinets.

Location of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

• Melaka’s Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is located at 25, Jalan Tokong, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia.