Thian Hock Keng

Thian Hock Keng is the oldest and one of the most important Hokkien temples in Singapore, built in the 1840s by immigrants grateful for a safe sea crossing. Dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, it was constructed without nails using materials brought from China, and its roof teems with dragons, phoenixes, and gilded carving. Once fronting the waterfront before land reclamation, it now sits amid the shophouses of Chinatown. A national monument, its ornate courtyards make it a highlight of the city's Chinese heritage.