Singapore Temples & Churches

Bright Hill Temple (Khong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple)

Covering 12 hectares, this is the largest temple in Singapore. A modern construction, this impressive edifice features many fine Chinese statues, shrines and decorations. There is also a large turtle pool and a serene garden and the temple grounds also house a crematorium.

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

Located on Waterloo Street this famous Chinese temple is dedicated to Kwan Im, the Goddess of Mercy. Each day a large numbers of worshippers come to pay respect and ask for her blessing. This major temple features Chinese-style roofs, granite tiles and the use of red, golden and yellow throughout the building.

Siong Lim Temple

This large temple was built in 1908 and is now classified a national monument. The temple, which commemorates Buddha's birth and death, has a highly decorated gateway, accessible only by bridge, which opens into a courtyard. Inside the temple you will find huge incense burners and a beautifully carved Buddha imported from Thailand. The temple grounds also hold a monastery, a smaller temple and a rock garden.

Temple of 1,000 Lights (Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple)

The Thai Buddhist Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple was established by the Thai monk Vuthisara in 1927. The architecture is mainly in Thai style with a large 15-metre-high Buddha statue seated inside the temple as well as many smaller images. The Buddha image is surrounded by numerous light bulbs, which is why many people call it the Temple of 1,000 lights.

Thian Hock Keng Temple

Thian Hock Keng, or the Temple of Heavenly Happiness, is the oldest and probably most interesting Chinese temple in Singapore. Built circa 1820, this Taoist-Buddhist temple was dedicated to to Ma Zu Po, the Mother of Heavenly Sages and the protector of sailors. You can find this colourful temple along Telok Ayer Street, in the middle of Chinatown

The temple, formerly at the waterfront before Singapore embarked on its land reclamation, was where many sailors and early settlers came to offer thanks for a safe journey by sea. The temple boasts elaborately painted doors, as well as highly-decorated beams and gold-leafed panels.

Sri Krishnan

Right next door to Kwan Im Thong Hood, this Hindu temple was dedicated to Sri Krishna and his consort Rukmini. Check out the impressive statues above the main entrance.

Sri Thandayuthapani Temple

Also known as the Chettiar Hindu Temple, this temple was built on the site of a former temple dating back to the 1850s. Constructed in the South Indian style, it has a number of shrines with glass-panelled roofs that are angled to catch the rays of the sun when it rises and sets.

The Sri Thandayuthapani Temple is where the culminations of the Thaipusam and Navarathiri Festivals are held every year. The annual Thaipusam procession in February sees Hindu devotees bearing kavadi, or portable shrines pierced to the body, as a sign of faith and penance. The procession begins at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India and ends at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple.

The Navarathiri Festival, held in October, is the Hindu "nine lights" celebration of the goddesses Dhurga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. The Sri Thandayuthapani Temple is the focal point of the nine-day celebrations, which include dancing, music, joyous worship and a dramatic procession on the final night.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple was built in 1881 and is dedicated to the goddess Kali. It is nowadays the busiest temple in Little India. Admission free. Please remember to remove your shoes when entering.

Abdul Gaffoor Mosque

The original Abdul Gafoor Mosque was built in 1859 by a southern Indian lawyer's clerk named Shaik Abdul Gafoor Shaik Hyder to serve many of Indian Muslim merchants. The mosque has subsequently been through many restorations. The current one was completed in 2003. The mosque is a mixture of Arabian, South Indian and Roman styles with its many arches and onion dome.

Hajah Fatimah Mosque

This mosque was built in 1846. Named after a charitable Malay woman who donated money to build it, the beautiful design is a mix of Malay and colonial styles. At the back of the Mosque are a number of old tombstones including Hajjah Fatimah's.

Sultan Mosque

The biggest mosque in Singapore, the Sultan Mosque is situated at North Bridge Road, near the ethnic quarter of Arab Street. It was originally built by Sultan Hussain Shah of Johore in 1824.

In 1928, the original structure was replaced by the current mosque, which was designed by Denis Santry. The Sultan Mosque has a massive golden dome and a large prayer hall.

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

This church at Queen Street is the oldest Catholic church in Singapore, dating back to 1843. Its construction actually triggered all-out competition between two great colonial architects of the time, D L Sweeney and J T Thomson. Thomson's design was eventually chosen, and a third architect, Charles Dyce, added a tower and a spire one year later. The church is now a designated national monument.

Church of St Gregory the Illuminator

This Armenian church built in 1835, is Singapore's oldest church. It is dedicated to St Gregory, the first monk of the Armenian church.

Now a national monument, the church is considered a masterpiece and was designed by colonial architect, George Coleman.

St Andrew's Cathedral

This elegant Anglican cathedral at St Andrew's Street was built after its predecessor, a church built by G D Coleman in 1938, was destroyed in 1852 by lightning strikes. The present cathedral was designed by Ronald MacPherson in 1856. A visitors centre at the church displays photos, pictures, artifacts and a video of the church's history. Guided tours are also available.

Central Sikh Temple

This temple at Towner Road is where many of Singapore's 15,000 Sikhs come to worship. It was built to commemorate the 518th birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru, and houses the Granth Sahih, or holy book. A striking building of white marble, the Central Sikh Temple won the Singapore Institute of Architects' Design Award in 1986.

Maghain Aboth Synagogue

This synagogue at Waterloo Street was built by Singapore's small but significant Jewish community. Its architecture veers towards the Victorian.