Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

Next on Doug's list was the oldest Taoist temple in the city constructed in 1864, thanks to Kapitan Yap Ah Loy.
Yap Ah Loy (1837-1885), was a prominent Chinese businessman and founding father of Kuala Lumpur. He dedicated the temple to Kapitan Shin Kap, whom he had served under in the Sungei Ujong conflict of 1859. Shin was killed in the battle and hailed as a saint as his body bled white blood rather than red. He became the deity and guardian of Chinese miners in Malaya. It is said that during the civil war, Shin appeared to Yap Ah Loy and gave him useful advice. The second temple deity is said to be Yap Ah Loy’s faithful chief general from the civil war, Chong Piang. The temple is unique in being dedicated to two deities who were actually people and also foreigners. Their deity status is based on merit. Today, the site is used as a place of worship, community, and cultural center for the city’s Chinese community. The temple has intricate carved decoration and bright colors.Read more