Sze Ya Temple in Kuala Lumpur: the oldest Taoist shrine in Chinatown

The unassuming entrance on a narrow Chinatown alley hides Kuala Lumpur's oldest Taoist temple — Sze Ya Temple. From the outside, it looks modest, but inside you'll find an atmosphere of living faith: incense, prayers, and a complete lack of strict rules for tourists. Find out how to find this authentic corner of Chinese culture just steps away from the bustling Petaling Street market.

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Description and is it worth visiting

Kuala Lumpur, Sze Ya Temple

This Chinese Taoist temple (Sze Ya Temple) was built in 1864 and is currently the oldest temple of this religion in the capital. It is also one of the most revered temples of the Chinese community in Kuala Lumpur.

It's hard to spot from the street: the entrance is quite unassuming, and at first glance, it looks like a very ordinary small local temple. But once you step inside, its scale reveals itself: besides the main prayer hall, it even has an inner courtyard and parking, which is very rare for this expensive area. Tourists can visit the temple completely freely.

Life is almost always bustling in the temple: worshippers burn incense, pray, and make wishes. It is especially crowded here on the eve and during the Chinese New Year — when the space is filled with vibrant ceremonies and special energy. At the same time, the atmosphere is completely free: tourists are welcome, and there is no strict dress code.

All in all, this place is definitely worth visiting when you're strolling through Chinatown. It might not be worth going to the temple specifically for a five-minute visit, but as part of getting to know the colorful Chinese quarter and the Petaling Street market, it's an excellent option.

The entrance to Sze Ya Temple is very inconspicuous, you might miss it
Inside, incense is burned
Worshippers pray and make wishes
It's especially crowded here during Chinese New Year

🕐 Opening hours

Daily 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

💵 Admission / ticket price

Free.

🚶 How to get there

The Chinese temple is located in Chinatown on one of the narrow streets of the quarter, Jalan Cheng Lock (temple on the map), a few minutes' walk from the Petaling Street shopping street. The Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek metro stations are a 10-minute walk away; you can also take the purple line free Go KL bus, stop Kota Raya (Petaling Street).

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