One of the oldest Taoist temples in Singapore, the Yueh Hai Ching or the Temple of the Calm Sea was built in 1826 by Teochew traders and sailors to thank the gods for their safety at sea. The temple is also known as Wak Hai Cheng Bio in Teochew.
Like the Thian Hock Kheng temple, this temple too was built in 1826 on Philip Street which was located near the sea. It started as a wood and attap shrine and was later rebuilt between 1850 and 1855 and again in 1895.
This temple is unique as it is built according to traditional Chinese temple structure of a walled compound with an entrance gate and a forecourt. The temple consists of twin temples, each with its own entrance. The temple to the right is dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di, a male deity while the one to the left is dedicated to Ma Zu, the same deity that the Thian Hock Kheng is dedicated to.
The Qing Emperor Guang Xu also presented a signboard bearing the name of the temple to the abbot in 1907 which is still hung in the entrance to the temple. This was also the same year he presented a scroll to the Thian Hock Kheng temple.
Owned by Ngee Ann Kongsi