Siong Lim Temple

This is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Singapore. Built in 1898, 79 years after the founding of modern Singapore. The building of Siong Lim was initiated by a local business Mr. Low Kim Pong. Donations for its construction came from all over south east asia. It is built in the style of a cong lin monastery. The layout is similiar to most Chinese Mahayana monastery so visiting this place offers a blueprint to understand Buddhist monasteries in general.

There is even an inscription by the Imperial Tutor to the Last emperor of China (Puyi). It has underwent extensive restoration with the help of experts from China. It continues to function as a monastery today so visitors can experience it as a living institution.

There is a free tour during weekends. At the end of the tour, if any visitors give a contribution, the money goes to charity. The tours are managed by volunteer anthropologist and all visitors get a free set of postcards.