Nam Thean Tong – Overlooked Cave Temple In Gunung Rapat
Because Nam Thean Tong Temple is between two other temples, it tends to be left out. At least on most tourists’ radars.
But if you’re already there for the other temples, is it worth a look? Is there anything here that other the temples do not have?
Look at our photos and read about our experience below.
Interesting Facts
- This Taoist temple is close to 160 years old
- Previous name was Lum Ting Toong
What You Should Know
Opening hours at this temple are longer than at Sam Poh Tong. Here, they open from 8am until 4:45pm. The temple caretakers are punctual at closing the temple by 5pm.
Nam Thean Tong is in the same row with Ling Sen Tong and Sam Poh Tong.
There’s an onsite outdoor café of sorts – with cold drinks and ice cream. Customers can sit under a giant mushroom.
No entrance fees are charged but donation boxes are present near the entrance of the temple.
Dogs roam freely outside the temple. They don’t take notice of visitors and just carry on with their naps.
A shop to the far left (upon exiting the temple) sells wooden talismans and herbal tea.
You don’t have to park outside this temple as it has its own visitor carpark inside. Parking fees only apply during Chinese New Year.
What To See
The arch at the entrance of Nam Thean Tong is big and colorful, with many intricate details. There are equally colorful paintings (some 3D) on the front of the temple.
Beautiful koi fish, dragons as well as deities are painted on the top of this temple where the roof and front walls and columns meet.
It is windy inside the small temple. And you can see the natural walls of the cave. Although some have paintings on them. The ceiling inside this cave temple feels lower than others.
From the main hall (with the alter that sits 5 deities), you can wander into the other prayer hall easily since they are on the same level.
If you choose to climb up higher in the temple with the stairs. Eventually, you can go up to the 4th level to a viewpoint of sorts. The stairs are steep and unlit.
We don’t advise going if you have mobility issues. Or fear heights, the dark, or bats.
While you’re exploring the inside of the temple, look out for a dragon statue that curves around a large stalactite.
To the right of the temple (upon exiting the temple) is the garden. Bushes form a small maze around a tall golden statue of a deity. The statue is the most impressive thing at this temple, in our opinion.
Behind the gardens is a large fishpond with good water circulation for its occupants. It’s mainly concrete but has a pretty red bridge over one side. On one end of the bridge is a lovely red and green pagoda.
The wall to the side of the pond has a bright blue painting of sea creatures which we find a little odd.
Conclusion
Nam Thean Tong is not the most impressive cave temple in Ipoh. You can skip it if you have limited time to explore Ipoh.
But if you plan to see the other cave temples next to this temple, then it’s worth a look.
It’ll only take you 30 minutes tops to explore the temple too. For those that will not climb to the top, this duration might only be 10 minutes.
