Intricately carved dragons adorn the entrance. Welcome to Hong San See. This isn’t just any temple. It’s a living testament to Singapore’s Hokkien community. Hong San See meaning Temple on Phoenix Hill was established in 1829. It originally stood on Tras Street. However road widening forced its relocation. The government paid 50000 Straits dollars for the land. This money funded the construction of the present temple on Mohamed Sultan Road between 1908 and 1913.
The temple’s design reflects traditional Southern Chinese architecture. Lim Loh a renowned contractor oversaw the project. Building materials and statues came from China. The temple cost 56000 dollars to build. Its axial planning courtyards and walled enclosures are hallmarks of this style. The entrance hall and main hall are separated by a courtyard. The entrance features three sets of double-leafed timber doors. The main doors depict phoenixes. Side doors show door gods. Granite columns are carved with dragons flowers and leaves. Covered walkways connect the halls. The main hall houses the altar of Guang Ze Zun Wang the temple’s main deity.
The temple’s structural system is also traditional. Exposed structural elements are richly decorated. The roofs boast ceramic tile ornamentation created using the jian nian method. A hu lu a bottle gourd believed to ward off evil sits on the entrance hall’s roof ridge flanked by dancing dragons. Dragons also adorn the main hall’s ridge guarding a blazing pearl symbolizing celestial power.
The Singapore Lam Ann Association a Hokkien clan group has managed Hong San See since 1924. A major restoration took place from 2006 to 2009. Consultants from the Beijing Palace Museum helped. Craftspeople skilled in restoring China’s national treasures undertook the work. The three million dollar project received funding from devotees and the Lee Foundation. In 2010 Hong San See became the first building in Singapore to win a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award. The temple’s story is one of resilience adaptation and enduring cultural significance. It’s a beautiful example of how a community’s faith and heritage can shape a place. It’s a must-see landmark in Singapore.