Tua Pek Kong temple at Pasir Panjang, near Sitiawan

I first heard about this tourist attraction when in a Pusing coffeeshop. I was told there are organized tours from Pusing which include lunch. Fellow retirees decided to make a trip by car which I did not join in. But I had a look at the brochure and have a rough idea how to get there.

Today, wife said, 'Why not make a trip to the temple and see what it's like?' At the KFC junction in Sitiawan, we turned left towards Kg. Koh, a place which we used to go to for seafood meals. Past Kg. Koh, I looked for Jalan Pasir Panjang on the right, which was well sign-posted. We also saw a sign to Kuan Yin temple which reassured us that we were on the right track.

We could see many cars going in as well as coming out, presumably from the temple. Though there was a kenduri nearby, most cars were indeed heading there. We decided to park near a field next to a building under construction, well away from it to avoid getting caught in the traffic jam. It was a long walk and there were hundreds of cars parked all the way there! There were more cars in the car park within the compound next to the sea. I was actually bothered by the idea that the locals, especially the Malay residents, might complain about frequent traffic jams, especially during public holidays. I found it amazing that a temple with some granite statues and basic landscaping could attract such a large crowd. But among the visitors, most are devotees who actually prayed, which explained it.

There was a section which is named 'Taman Monyet' or Monkey Garden, but the Chinese translation was actually Fruits Garden! It is a man-made concrete pathway crudely constructed without any consideration for conservation of the mangrove trees, as evidenced from the dead trees on both sides. Rubbish thrown by inconsiderate visitors could be seen floating in the water. No monkeys nor fruit trees could be found, which wasn't surprising.

I searched the internet and found the following report which helps me in explaining...

NST: The gods must be happy at Tua Pek Kong

http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/the-gods-must-be-happy-at-tua-pek-kong-1.9931

Even with my limited knowledge, I think I can explain or find fault (in italics) in the following excerpt from that article:

"Taking centre stage is the gigantic Da Bo Gong (Tua Pek Kong) statue, along with statues of Jiu Tian Xuan Nu, Yu Nu, Guan Yin Niang Niang, Jin Tong, Wu Guan, Wen Guan, Qian Li Yan, Ma Zu, Shun Feng Er and Hu Ye.

Below these statues, on the cement courtyard, are 24 smaller statues of various Chinese demigods who are said to have mystical powers. (These are actually known in Cantonese as 'yee sup sei hau' or 24 examples of filial piety; as a kid, I used to see them in calendars sponsored by a paint company, and the most memorable example was that of a mother allowing her aged and poorly father-in-law to suckle her milk, at the expense of her baby!)

Outside the courtyard are statues of a monkey, pig, horseman, and a man with a staff of demigods.

At the right side of the main temple are nine statues lining the sides of the garden path leading to three man-made caves containing three small deities." (There are actually 18 statues, representing the 18 Immortals (btw, not the gang by that name!).

Link