If there’s one place that witnessed the birth and growth of our city, Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is it. Its entrance is engraved with an acknowledgement that Kapitan Yap Ah Loy had founded the temple in 1864, and it’s dedicated to patron deities Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya. Don’t be mistaken, these deities are actually real personalities – Sheng Meng Li (Kapitan Cina of Sungai Ujong) and Chung Lai (Yap Ah Loy’s loyal lieutenant) respectively. Look closer and you’ll also find Yap Ah Loy’s shrine sitting among the gods.
This oldest Taoist temple in KL is swarmed with people during Chinese New Year or before major exams when students ask for good luck from the God of Academia, Wenchang Dijun. In fact, you’ll get good fortune if you circle under the main altar three times. Ask about your future through kao chim (fortune-telling sticks), and let Madam Wong decipher it for you at just RM1. She’s one of the few remaining female temple caretakers in KL who can still interpret the prophecy (chim).
As featured in Time Out KL's 101 things to do in KL