南天洞 Nam Thean Tong Temple @ 怡保 Ipoh 霹靂州 Perak

26.12.2018 Temple Tour
@ 南天洞 Nam Thean Tong  Ipoh Perak (click here to Google Map)

Jalan Gopeng, 31350 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
GPS Location: 4°33'55.8"N 101°06'53.4"E
Budget: Free
Parking: Free
Thoughts: 南天洞 Nam Thean Tong is said to be one of the oldest temples in Ipoh, believed to have been discovered by a monk in the 19th century (1867)!
Inside the temple is a staircase of 138 steps to the summit for a view of vicinity, but due to the heat did not make it. In fact, the deep flight of stairs would bring you to more caves in the area. A little spooky if venturing alone.
The structure of the main building seems to have build along the contours of the cave itself. Entering the temple is really entering into the opening of the cave, with stairs build to venture further into various other caves. If there is time to explore, this cave temple would be an interesting one; at least from the architectural stand point. And if you are a cave lover, it will be a place worth exploring.
南天洞 Nam Thean Tong is just next to 灵仙岩 Lin Sen Tong and share the same free parking lot across the road. Both temple entrance for now is free. 南天洞 Nam Thean Tong, with a little more greenery compared to its neighbour temple; is likely a place for some elderly locals coming here for the "serenity" and "shade" for a little chit chat in the morning hours. Compared to 灵仙岩 Lin Sen Tong which show case a lot more color and status, this temple has less visitors and a quieter place to visit.
Both temples are quite well maintained and easy to locate.
Rating: 6 / 10 👍
Website: http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/1525314
Operating hours: 08:00am - 05:00pm

靈仙岩 Lin Sen Tong Temple @ 怡保 Ipoh 霹靂州 Perak

26.12.2018 Temple Tours
@ Lin Sen Tong (靈仙岩) Ipoh Perak (click here to Google Map)
Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Gunung Rapat 31350 Ipoh, PerakGPS Location: 4°33'58.8"N 101°06'50.5"E
Budget: Free
Parking: Free
Thoughts: Build in 1967 by a 罗志明 who found a spot here next to the Perak mountains, a place of serenity (perhaps at that time) as now is just next to the busy trunk road of Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah (formerly Jalan Gopeng). The reason the temple was name 灵仙岩 is because amongts the rocks at the cave are clear spring water, much like a heavenly place.
灵仙岩 is a very "colorful" temple and probably the Temple Cave in Perak that houses the most God figures like 孙悟空 Sun Wu Kong, 济公 Ji Gong, 观音 Guan Ying, 地藏王菩萨 Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, 四面佛 Erawan, and even 月老 "The God of Love", also the 十二生肖 12 Zodiac animals and many other statues of Gods in Chinese Folk Religion.
The main temple for prayers is likely the 观音殿 Guan Yin Temple where Taoist or Buddhist can make prayers to the Guan Yin.
灵仙岩 Lin Seng Tong is probably the easiest temple to locate as it is strategically located along Jalan Gopeng (now with the longer name of Jalan.. Shah). There is ample parking just outside the temple, parking and entrance all free as of now. Among the many temples here in Ipoh, this one I considered one of the most well maintained despite it not charging any entrance fees. Including prayers, maybe 45-60 minutes here would be enough.
Rating: 7 / 10 👍👍
Website: http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/1525314
Operating hours: 08:00am - 05:00pm