Discover with Timothy
21st Anniversary as Content Creator

Tan Si Chong Su Temple, Singapore

Tan Si Chong Su TempleTan Si Chong Su Temple (10 July 2006)


Tan Si Chong Su Temple (GPS: 1.2894, 103.84285) is a Chinese temple located at Magazine Road in the Singapore River Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore's Central Business District. It is also called Po Chiak Keng (保赤宫) as well as Tan Seng Haw. An ancestral temple of the Tan Kongsi, the clan association of Chinese people surnamed Tan, the Tan Si Chong Su was constructed between 1876 and 1878.

The Tan Si Chong Su was originally located by the banks of the Singapore River. The Tan clan originally settled along the south bank of the Singapore River, close to a small islet called Pulau Saigon. Pulau Saigon has since been dug out and part of the river filled in, causing the Tan Si Chong Su Temple to now be located away from the river.

Entering Tan Si Chong Su, one passes three brightly painted timber double-leafed doors framed with carved granite columns at the elaborate entrance hall. There are eight plaques bear greetings and good wishes in calligraphic script. Five of these plaques date from 1880 and three from 1898.

Beyond the entrance hall is the prayer hall, known to worshippers as Po Chiak Keng. Statues of a few major deities rest behind an antique altar, above which hangs an 1898 plaque that reads "Help the world and the people".

Behind the prayer hall is the ancestral hall. It is set 90 metres back from the entrance hall. Here, one can see the Tan Ancestral Tablets displayed in three glass niches and on the walls. There are five plaques extolling praises to revered ancestors. The ancestral hall occupies the most important position in the temple, reflecting the reverence to ancestors. The layout of the Tan Si Chong Su is based on the Chinese concept of li, which means "to humble oneself to honour others".

The Tan Si Chong Su was built accoridng to Southern China architectural style. This is most apparent from the graceful sweep of the curved roof ridge enhanced with upturned eaves, wooden carvings and ornamental gable eaves set in granite columns.

The two most prominent Tan personalities in Singapore, Tan Kim Ching (1824-1892) and Tan Beng Swee (1828-1884) were the prime spearheaders in getting the Tan Si Chong Su constructed. Tan Kim Ching was the eldest son of philanthropist and businessman Tan Tock Seng, whose significant fortune he inherited. Tan Tock Seng is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to public health care. Tan Beng Swee was the son of Tan Kim Seng, another successful businessman and a leader of the Chinese community, and best remembered for setting up Singapore's water supply lines.

Tan Si Chong Su also served as the assembly hall for the Tan clan beyond Singapore and into Malaysia. Among the most illustrious Tans include the Tan Siew Sin, a former Minister of Finance in Malaysia, and his father Tan Cheng Lock, the founder of the Malayan Chinese Association, a political party in Malaysia. Tan Cheng Lock and Tan Siew Sin were from Malacca as were the fathers of the temple's original founders, Tan Kim Ching and Tan Beng Swee. Another famous Tan is Tan Chin Tuan, a retired banker and noted philanthropist and one of the temple's trustees.

In 1889, the Po Chiak Keng School was set up within the temple's premises. As a result, the locals began to refer to the temple by the name Po Chiak Keng as well. Tan Si Chong Su was known by both names until the Japanese invasion of 1942, which resulted in the closure of the school, and the temple's name reverting to Tan Si Chong Su.

Tan Si Chong Su Temple underwent repairs in the 1980s, and with government assistance, a full restoration was carried out in 1994.

Tan Si Chong Su Temple was gazetted a National Monument of Singapore on 29 November, 1974.



Tan Si Chong Su TempleThe frontage of Tan Si Chong Su Temple (10 July 2006)


Tan Si Chong Su TempleThe front entrance of Tan Si Chong Su Temple (10 July 2006)


Tan Si Chong Su TempleTan Si Chong Su Temple (10 July 2006)


Tan Si Chong Su TempleA multitude of lanterns hanging in Tan Si Chong Su Temple (10 July 2006)

Address

Tan Si Chong Su Temple
15 Magazine Road,
Singapore 059568

Going to Tan Si Chong Su Temple

Tan Si Chong Su Temple is on Magazine Road. The nearest MRT Station is the Clarke Quay MRT Station (NE5).

Tan Si Chong Su Temple is on the Map of Chinese Temples in Singapore

List of the Chinese Temples in Singapore; Sights in Singapore and Discover Singapore

 Purchase a property in Malaysia

With a much lower cost of living, you can purchase a new condominium in Malaysia at only a fraction of the price you pay in Singapore. In addition to being the content creator of this website, I am also a licensed real estate agent in Malaysia. My team of agents is able to consider new properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Listed below are the new construction from these two cities. Review the list, and if any of these new development is of interest to you, submit the request form to obtain a copy of the e-brochure.

New properties in Kuala Lumpur

  1. 8th & Stellar E-Brochure, Bangsar
  2. 111 Menerung E-Brochure, Bangsar
  3. Alfa Bangsar E-Brochure, Bangsar
  4. Aria Luxury Residences E-Brochure, Cheras
  5. Arte Cheras E-Brochure, Cheras
  6. Arte Solaris E-Brochure, Mont Kiara
  7. Aster Hill E-Brochure, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling
  8. Bukit Bintang City Centre E-Brochure, Pudu
  9. Ceylonz Suites E-Brochure, Bukit Kewangan
  10. Core Residence at TRX E-Brochure, Tun Razak Exchange
  11. DC Residensi E-Brochure, Pusat Bandar Damansara
  12. Desa Aman Hill E-Brochure, Cheras
  13. D'Ivo Residences E-Brochure, Old Klang Road
  14. D'Velada Residences E-Brochure, Bukit Jalil
  15. Eaton Residences E-Brochure, KLCC
  16. Est 8 E-Brochure, Seputeh
  17. Expressionz Professional Suites E-Brochure, Jalan Tun Razak
  18. GenKL E-Brochure, Taman Lian Hoe
  19. Hampton Damansara E-Brochure, Country Heights Damansara
  20. Hugoz Suites E-Brochure, Kampung Baru
  21. Kensho Residence E-Brochure, Taman Danau Desa
  22. KL48 Residences E-Brochure, Chan Sow Lin
  23. Laurel Residence E-Brochure, Chan Sow Lin
  24. M Adora E-Brochure, Wangsa Melawati
  25. M Arisa E-Brochure, Sentul
  26. M Nova E-Brochure, Taman Sri Murni
  27. M Oscar E-Brochure, Salak South
  28. Majestic Residence E-Brochure, Chow Kit
  29. Millerz Retail E-Brochure, Old Klang Road
  30. Millerz Square E-Brochure, Old Klang Road
  31. Mossaz Retail E-Brochure, Sungai Penchala
  32. Pavilion Ceylon Hill E-Brochure, Bukit Ceylon
  33. Pavilion Damansara Height E-Brochure, Pusat Bandar Damansara
  34. Southbank 2 Residence E-Brochure, Old Klang Road
  35. Sentral Suites E-Brochure, KL Sentral
  36. Sentul Point Suite Apartments E-Brochure, Sentul
  37. St Regis The Residences E-Brochure, KL Sentral
  38. The Atrium E-Brochure, Taman U Thant
  39. The Conlay E-Brochure, KLCC
  40. The Fiddlewoodz E-Brochure, KL Metropolis
  41. The Goodwood Residence E-Brochure, Bangsar South
  42. The Robertson E-Brochure, Pudu
  43. The Tropika E-Brochure, Bukit Jalil
  44. The Vertical Office Suites E-Brochure, Bangsar South
  45. Tria Seputeh E-Brochure, Seputeh
  46. Verve Suites E-Brochure, Old Klang Road
  47. Verve Suites SOHO E-Brochure, Mont Kiara
  48. United Point Residence E-Brochure, Segambut

New properties in Penang

  1. Anggun Residences E-Brochure, Batu Kawan
  2. Aston Acacia E-Brochure, Bukit Mertajam
  3. Beacon Executive Suites E-Brochure, George Town
  4. Beverly Heights @ Bukit Gambir E-Brochure, Gelugor
  5. BM Highland E-Brochure, Bukit Mertajam
  6. Cypress Villa E-Brochure, Sungai Ara
  7. D'Zone Condominium E-Brochure, Teluk Kumbar
  8. Elements Garden E-Brochure, Butterworth
  9. Ferringhi Residence 2 E-Brochure, Batu Ferringhi
  10. GEM Residences E-Brochure, Prai
  11. Golden Triangle 2 E-Brochure, Sungai Ara/Relau
  12. Grace Residence E-Brochure, Jelutong
  13. Granito @ Permai E-Brochure, Tanjong Bungah
  14. Green City Residence E-Brochure, Jelutong
  15. Havana Beach Residences E-Brochure, Bayan Lepas
  16. Imperial Residences E-Brochure, Sungai Ara/Relau
  17. Imperial Grande E-Brochure, Sungai Ara/Relau
  18. Lucerne Residence E-Brochure, Bayan Lepas
  19. Mezzo @ The Light City E-Brochure, Gelugor
  20. Middleton E-Brochure, Gelugor
  21. Orchard Villa 3 E-Brochure, Simpang Ampat
  22. Primero Heights E-Brochure, Permatang Pauh
  23. Queens Waterfront Q2 E-Brochure, Bayan Lepas
  24. Royale Heights @ Tambun Royale City E-Brochure, Simpang Ampat
  25. Royale Infinity @ Tambun Royale City E-Brochure, Simpang Ampat
  26. Rubica @ Harbour Place E-Brochure, Butterworth
  27. Sensasi Commercial Suites E-Brochure, Batu Kawan
  28. Setia Sky Ville E-Brochure, Jelutong
  29. Setia Sky Vista E-Brochure, Sungai Ara/Relau
  30. Setia V Residence E-Brochure, Gurney Drive
  31. Sinaran Residence E-Brochure, Batu Kawan
  32. Sky @ TriPark E-Brochure, Bukit Mertajam
  33. Skyridge Garden E-Brochure, Tanjong Tokong
  34. Starhill Luxury Residences E-Brochure, Gelugor
  35. Straits Residences E-Brochure, Tanjong Tokong
  36. Taman Nuri Emas E-Brochure, Nibong Tebal
  37. The Light Collection IV E-Brochure, Gelugor
  38. The Loft @ Southbay E-Brochure, Batu Maung
  39. The Terraces Condominium E-Brochure, Bukit Jambul
  40. Trehaus Condo Villas E-Brochure, Bukit Jambul
  41. Triuni Residences E-Brochure, Batu Uban
  42. Urban Suites E-Brochure, Tanjong Tokong
  43. Valencia Residence E-Brochure, Bayan Lepas
  44. Vertu Resort E-Brochure, Batu Kawan
  45. Vivo Executive Apartment E-Brochure, Batu Kawan
  46. Viluxe E-Brochure, Batu Kawan
  47. Waterside Residence E-Brochure, Gelugor

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

 Discover with Timothy YouTube Channel

 Discover with Timothy Food Channel

 Learn Penang Hokkien YouTube Channel

SojiMart Videos

 Explaining Singapore YouTube Channel

Streets of Singapore and Map of Singapore Streets

Singapore MRT and Map of Singapore MRT

Postal Districts of Singapore and Map of Singapore Postal Districts

Planning Areas of Singapore and Map of Singapore Planning Areas

Latest from Discover with Timothy: Gurney Bay - what to see and do there

About this website



Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

Copyright © 2003-2024 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.