10 Must-Visit Temples in Singapore

Singapore is immensely proud of its multi-cultural heritage, and the abundance of beautiful temples from different cultures illustrates this perfectly.

These sacred sites are not only places of devotion but also worth a visit to admire their architectural beauty and enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the population’s varied cultures and beliefs.

From ornate Hindu temples with towering gopurams to serene Buddhist monasteries and intricate Chinese places of worship, here are 10 must-visit temples in Singapore that you shouldn’t miss.

Tips for Visiting Singapore’s Temples

While all temples in Singapore welcome visitors, please remember to be respectful of local customs.

• Some temples (especially Hindu temples) require visitors to remove their shoes before entering. If you are required to remove your shoes, you will usually see shoes accumulated near the entrance.
• Modest attire is almost always encouraged—covering bare shoulders and knees is a good rule of thumb. I always recommend carrying a shawl or pashmina in your bag if you are out sightseeing. Some temples provide shawls or sarongs at the entrance if needed. 
• Be mindful of photography restrictions.
• Remain quiet and respectful, and avoid interrupting worshippers.
• If you are unsure of what is the correct code of conduct, just watch and see what the locals do before entering. 

This striking building in the heart of Chinatown houses one of the most revered relics in the Buddhist world. You can visit its chamber on the fourth floor in all its magnificent gold splendour. 

Head to the 3rd floor to find the Buddhas of the World museum, where you can learn all about Lord Buddha, and feast your eyes on some of the world’s most beautiful Buddhist artefacts. 

The rooftop is worth the hike up the stairs to find the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion with its large Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel.

Thin Hock Keng in Chinatown Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple and one of its most picturesque. 

Erected in 1821, nearly all of the materials used to construct the temple came from China, and some even from the boats the immigrants arrived on. 

Take your time to wander through the courtyards and admire the rooftop dragons, ceiling mosaics, gold-leafed details and the intricately painted doors.

Just a short walk from Bugis Street, this is one of the most popular temples in Singapore, attracting an estimated 1,000 devotees every day. 

The temple is dedicated to the Kuan Yin (also called Guanyin), the Goddess of Mercy, who is seen by devotees as a saviour (hence her popularity). Praying to her is believed to bring you good luck and fortune. 

The temple provided refuge for the sick, wounded and homeless during World War II as it was miraculously spared destruction during the Japanese air force bombings, despite the near-total destruction of virtually all the adjacent buildings. Devotees attribute this miracle to the compassion of Kuan Yin.

You’ll notice the many stalls selling flowers and incense sticks surrounding the temple entrance. 

Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple can be found in Chinatown and dates back to 1827. 

Dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, the Goddess of healing, its distinctive colourful gopuram towers above the entrance, covered with figurative sculptures of gods, goddesses and mythological beasts. 

The Theemithi festival (fire walking ceremony) held annually in October/ November draws thousands of devotees and tourists.

This Buddhist temple in Little India is more popularly known as the ‘Temple of 1,000 Lights’. Its most striking feature is its 15-metre high, 300-tonne seated Buddha, which towers above you as you enter. 

At the base of this towering statue is a diorama depicting important events in Buddha’s life. Make your way round the back of the statue to find a chamber housing a reclining Buddha.

Opposite the Temple of 1,000 Lights is the less glitzy, but infinitely more beautiful Taoist Leong San See Temple. 

This temple dates from 1917 and is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. 

Its name translates as ‘Dragon Mountain Temple’ and you can see the dragons amongst the intricate carvings on its exterior and roof. 

This is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore. It was built by early Indian immigrants who dedicated the temple to Kali, the Destroyer of Evil, to help them feel settled in their new land. 

Kali appears in several forms in the temple, but usually with several arms bearing weapons, and wearing a garland of severed heads or ripping out the insides of demons! 

This small but beautiful temple has stood in the heart of Tiong Bahru for over 100 years and is Singapore’s only temple dedicated to the Monkey God. 

You’ll find over ten statues of the Monkey God, Sun Wu Kong. The temple attracts followers who seek his blessings for protection, prosperity, and business success.

This temple in the heart of Little India is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu (and also called Perumal). 

Statues of him can be found throughout the temple, along with his consorts Lakshmi and Andal (the goddesses of wealth and beauty, respectively), and his vehicle, the mythical bird Garuda. 

The temple is most famous as the starting point for the annual Thaipusam festival, when devotees walk the streets carrying kavadis (cage-like constructions) supported by giant metal skewers pierced through their tongues and cheeks. 

This sprawling complex of eleven temples and shrine halls is the largest Buddhist monastery in Singapore. 

Take a wander through the tranquil gardens and you’ll find intricate architectural designs, elaborate Chinese decorations, statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva and shrines.

The Hall of No Form with its giant seated Buddha is particularly impressive.