Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
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Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - by Management
Description
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a Buddhist temple and museum complex located in Singapore's Chinatown neighbourhood. It was fully redeveloped in 2007 over 4 storeys and a roof garden in the Tang Dinasty style with some Tibetan Buddhist influences. The first storey is the main one and consists of a gateway with 3 red lacquered doors, the Hundred Dragon Hall housing the 15-feet statue of the Buddha Meitreya, and the Universal Wisdom Hall acting as a shrine for the Cintamanicakra (a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara). The Museum is located on the third floor and includes nearly 300 exhibits from various Asian countries. The Buddha Tooth Relic is enshrined in a stupa in the Sacred Ligh Chamber on the 4th floor.
Access & Transport
The Maxwell MRT station (TE line) and set next to the temple. Alternatively, Chinatown station (NE and Downtown lines) is 400m away and Telok Ayer (Downtown) about 500m. There is also a bus stop nearby on South Bridge rd and Upper Cross St isn't far for additional options. The address is 288 South Bridge Rd
Instructions & Recommendations
Visitors should be dressed appropriately - shawls are available to cover shoulders if necessary. This activity can be combined with a visit of Chinatown, the Sri Mariamman Temple a couple of minutes up South Bridge Rd and dinner & drinks around Keong Saik Rd or Club Street
Environmental & Social
The temple uses a fair amount of electricity to operate. The temple is tied to the Metta Welfare Association which provides education and welfare services to the intellectually disabled, elderly and terminally ill.
Conclusion
The temple is a very imposing building and the various floors and rooms are certainly impressive, but the atmosphere is better suited to Buddhist worshippers than to tourists. In our opinion, it is worth a visit when exploring Chinatown but lacks the heritage and character to be considered a must-see for the non-Buddhists.
Key positive
Many rooms to visit with plenty of decoration
Centrally located
Key negative
The decoration can feel very tacky for some
Lack of historical background
Suitability
No religious denomination restrictions. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility via a lift, except for the roof garden
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 25m
est. visit time:1h 30m
Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 17:00