Sun Qiang Temple, which means Temple of Three Rivers, is a newly re-constructed Hokkien-Chinese temple. It was opened on 15 November 2006, and is located next to the Harbour Trade Centre in Macallum Street, Penang. This is the temple of the Hui'an Hokkiens, who hailed from Quanzhou County in Fujian Province, China.
The Sun Qiang Temple honours its three patron deities, collectively called the Tai Por Kong, which translates as Deities of Great Salvation. As with most Taoist deities, these are military officials who are deitified. Tai Por Kong are three generals from the late Tang Dynasty, namely General Bao, General Ti and General Qiu. They were instrumental in introducing the culture and arts of the Tang Dynasty to Fujian Province. The Hokkien people of Donghai, in Fujian Province, were the first to worship these generals, when they built the Ninghai Temple and dedicated it to them. The three generals were called Zong Xun Gong, meaning Chief Deities of Patrol. It was only later that the name Tai Por Kong came into use.
The worship of Zong Xun Gong spread from Donghai to Hui'an and Sin Kang, the mother village of the Khoo clans of Khoo Kongsi. When vast numbers of Hokkien people took to the seas leaving Fujian Province, they brought with them the worship of Tai Por Kong.
The Hui'an Hokkiens arriving in Penang settled in Koay Kang Ngar, an area whose name translates as "across the river". The river as mentioned refers to the Praingin River, which is more correctly the Praingin Canal nowadays. This is the neighbourhood that includes Magazine Road, Noordin Street, Presgrave Street, Tye Sin Street, and a few others in the Chit-Teow Loh (Seven Roads) area.
The first Tai Por Kong Temple in Penang was established by a Sin Kean Seng, a trishaw-man, in 1920. By the 1990's, that temple has become old, so the temple committee started a donation campaign to build a new temple. Contributions came from the local Hokkien as well as those in China and elsewhere. The name of the temple itself, Sun Qiang, is derived from that of the original Tai Por Kong temple in Hui'an which overlooks three rivers.
Great care was taken to ensure authenticity of the material. Hence the majority of building material for Sun Qiang Temple had to be imported from China. The temple is the only one in Malaysia with sixty different Tai Sui, the deities of time and planets. Outside the temple is a granite statue of a mystical beast that looks like half tortoise half dragon.
A major celebratory day at the Sun Qiang Temple is on the 11th day of the 10th lunar month. That is the "birthday" of the Tai Por Kong deities, and many devotees would converge on the temple to offer their prayers.
I have taken note of the Sun Qiang Temple as it took shape beside the Harbour Trade Centre, and as soon as it opened, I took the opportunity to explore and document it for Penang Travel Tips and AsiaExplorers.
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Sun Qiang Temple, Macallum Street Ghaut, Penang.
How to go to Sun Qiang Temple
Sun Qiang Temple can be reached from the new Jelutong Expressway. If you are heading north from the direction of Penang Bridge to George Town, turn right at the second traffic lights exiting the expressway in the direction of the Harbour Trade Centre. From the other direction, leaving Weld Quay, be on the look out for the Harbour Trade Centre sign.
After exiting the expressway, drive in the direction of the sea, until you reach the Harbour Trade Centre on your left. Turn left. (Turning right will take you to the Nine Emperor Gods Temple of Macallum Street Ghaut.) The wholesaler market is on both sides of the road. Go all the way to the end of the road, and you will see the Sun Qiang Temple on your left.
Sun Qiang Temple, as seen among the forest trees.
View from the outer chamber to the inner chamber of Sun Qiang Temple.
A replica of a junk, reminiscent of the transport taken by the Hui'an Hokkien people in coming to faraway Nanyang.
The main altar of Sun Qiang Temple.
Tai Sui figurines.
The ornate faåade of the main altar.
Interior of the altar chamber of Sun Qiang Temple.
Statue of a mystical beast which is half tortoise and half dragon
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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms.
