Chin Swee Temple, Genting Highlands

Escape Into The Clouds At Chin Swee Temple, Genting Highlands, Malaysia

The Chin Swee Temple was a literal escape into the clouds for us during our amazing stay at the Resorts World Genting, Malaysia. It is one of the Genting Highlands attractions that lifts you from the ordinary and takes you to an extraordinary surreal plane. The Chin Swee Temple sometimes also referred to as Chin Swee Caves Temple is set on a ridge high up in the hills amidst scenic environs which tug at your heartstrings. It is always a pleasure to watch clouds floating or scurrying up in the skies, but walking inside a cloud is indeed giving wings to your imagination. But we walked straight into the clouds at the Chin Swee Temple and the experience was the stuff that dreams are made of.

Chin Swee Temple – Genesis of Chin Swee Caves Temple

It was in 1975 that the vision and dream of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong took concrete shape and Resorts World Genting which was then known as Genting Highlands Resort was completed. After this, the visionary and founder of RW Genting turned his attention towards creating another structure that was linked to his childhood memories in distant Penglai, a village in China. Thus was born the Chin Swee Cave Temple, dedicated to Chin Swee also known as Quingshui a Chan Buddhist monk much revered in China. Chin Swee was known to possess supernatural powers and could summon rain at will. It is said that once he saved the town of Anxi in China from drought by summoning rain.

Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong gathered a group of liked minded people, most of whom belonged to the Anxi clan and the Chin Swee Temple took shape. He as always led from the front, donating 28 acres of land for the Chin Swee Temple and more than RM 8 million in cash. Apart from that, he characteristically donned the multiple hats of an architect, designer, planner, supervisor etc., to materialize the Chin Swee Temple into reality from the realms of dreams. That the construction of the temple itself was a risky and daunting task on account of the rocky and steep terrain did not deter the superhuman vision of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong and the Chin Swee Temple officially opened on the 24th of March, 1994.

Chin Swee Temple – Getting There By Awana skyway cable car Genting

We felt quite refreshed after our trek in the Awana Bio Park, a beautiful rainforest that affords serene nature trails and the opportunity to see some exotic flora and fauna. It was befitting that the next on our itinerary for the day was a visit to the tranquil environs of the Chin Swee Temple.

We got into a gleaming glass-bottomed cable car of the Awana Skyway at the Awana station. Incidentally, the Awana Skyway is one of our favorite experiences at the Resorts World Genting, Malaysia.

As the gondola silently glided up the hill, the only sound audible was our own breathing and intermediate gasps of awe at the vistas that unfolded below us. Carpets of green vegetation whizzed below our feet as we entered into the enthralling world of clouds. The magical ride was short but sweetness personified.

We alighted at the Chin Swee station and took a series of escalators that take you downhill to reach the Chin Swee Temple.

The Awana Skyway cable cars run between the Awana station and the top of Resorts World Genting, one can get down at the Chin Swee station and get back after visiting the Chin Swee temple to continue your journey either way on the same ticket

Chin Swee Temple – Attractions

The ride on the escalators was iced with fabulous views from the glass windows that lined the walls of the corridor. Enticing views of the Chin Swee temple peeping out from the clouds, the shining red gondolas gliding in and out of clouds kept us company as we reached the Chin Swee Temple.

We emerged into the premises of the Chin Swee Temple and it was like emerging into a place that was beyond the frontiers of time. The temple stretched before us, bathed in a layer of mystical white. The 9 storeyed- Pagoda which dominated the skyline played hide and seek with the clouds, while the other temples unveiled their myriad colors behind the sheen of white which hugged them. As the clouds lifted for a moment we watched a spectacular tableau unfold before us. Mystical figures, serene statues, symmetrical and colorful structures and of course the Pagoda vied with each other to grab our attention. A burst of Chinese firecrackers somehow did not seem out of place in the serenity of the moment as we watched people scurrying around in a massive square that housed the different components of the Chin Swee Temple.

A grotto with the fierce looking statue of the Monkey God beneath a small waterfall grabbed our attention as we moved forward. Interestingly there were statues of monkeys reminiscent of Mahatma Gandhi’s Three Monkeys.

When you are at the Chin Swee Temple do not miss these attractions:

The Pagoda

The structure that scrapes the clouds and disappears behind them from time to time is the tall and imposing 9-storeyed Pagoda. This Pagoda is embellished with figurines of Buddha and the brilliance of 10,000 lamps lends a surreal feel inside the Pagoda. The lamps are known as blessing lamps and are for devotees to dedicate to anyone that they would like to be blessed with the grace of Buddha.

The Chin Swee Temple

The Chin Swee temple is a Taoist temple that is primarily dedicated to the monk Chin Swee. The main temple has a beautiful and ornamental roof supported by elegant red columns. The life and teachings of Chin Swee come alive on the inscriptions that grace the exterior walls of the temple. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, there is an image of the monk Chin Swee in a sitting position facing southwards as per the principles of Feng Shui. A natural rock with a man-made stream lends an aura of serenity to the temple where you are enveloped by peace from all sides. The water that flows from the stream is known as Dragon Mineral Water.

The Buddha Temple

This is a small temple dedicated to Buddha that stands in the center of the square. The exterior of the temple is really exquisite with a vibrant red color offset by colorful paintings of Taoist symbology. It is interesting to note that this temple is aligned to the main temple which is one level below. We bowed to the statue of Buddha inside the temple and also lit few incense sticks and as the fragrant smoke curled into a cloud and disappeared to merge with the larger clouds outside, we were enveloped in a haze of tranquility.

The Statue of Buddha

When you are at the premises of the Chin Swee Temple you are never far away from the benign grace of the Buddha. A 15-meter high statue of Buddha in serene meditation overlooks the temple and the beautiful vistas stretching below. The calm visage of the Buddha is rendered even more ethereal as clouds brush past it, gently caressing the divine presence.

The Statue of Guan Yin

While at one end of the big square you have the serene statue of a sitting Buddha, at the other end is the compassionate figure of a standing Guan Yin. Guan Yin or Kuan Yin is a female Bodhisattva and is venerated as an embodiment of compassion and mercy. The tall statue of Guan Yin seems to cast its compassionate glance on all the visitors to the Chin Swee Temple.

The Statue of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong

The statue of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the man who not only dared to dream but also ensured his dreams fructified stands behind the Buddha temple. The statue is a silent tribute in stone to the man, his vision, endeavors, and achievements. The statue stands in the midst of delightful water fountains flanked by plaques which describe Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong’s contribution.

10 Chambers of Hell

On the rocky fringes that skirt the Chin Swee Temple complex, we found a fascinating series of caves wedged in the rocks. There were 10 of them and each one depicted a chamber of hell. According to ancient Chinese belief which has a remarkable echo with the Hindu doctrine of Karma and reincarnation, one reaps what one sows and there are 10 chambers of Hell where sinners find themselves after death. Which chamber one lands up in depends on the nature and severity of the sins as each chamber has a different set of punishment awaiting the sinner.

The first chamber is a screening place where one’s deeds on the earth are scrutinized and the appropriate chamber of Hell assigned. Of course, if you are not a sinner you are sent for rebirth to the Western Pureland of Great Bliss. But those who are guilty of sins are sent for punishment, for example, those guilty of crimes like rape, murder, etc., are sent to the fifth chamber while those who have indulged in a robbery, disloyalty, etc., are dispatched to the third chamber, and so on. Colorful and at times frightening statues depict the punishment that sinners can “look forward” to in the caves that represent the chambers of Hell.

After the punishment in the assigned chambers, the 10th and the last chamber is where the dynamics of rebirth are decided. Again based on the severity of the sins the form, time, sex at rebirth are decided.

Sky Terrace

One of the later additions to the Chin Swee Temple is the Sky Terrace which was built to commemorate the 90th birthday of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong. His son Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay donated an amount of RM 10 million for the construction of the Sky Terrace.

This is the large square where one feels one with the clouds and it is but fittingly called as the Sky Terrace or a Place for heavenly offerings.

Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong Hall

In the square towards the edge of the ridge framed against the backdrop of the hills is a picturesque little building. The place in front of the building was swarming with people taking selfies as the building made for a vibrant and lovely background. In fact, the Chin Swee temple complex is a bonanza for “selfieholics”, if we can coin that term!

The Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong Hall is a place for meditation and prayers which is used by devotees and students as well as general visitors.

Amenities At The Chin Swee Temple

The Chin Swee Temple complex and its sprawling area may tire you, but not to worry, there are gazebos which offer succor to tired limbs where one can sit and relax taking in the lovely vistas all around. If the pangs of hunger trouble you there is a vegetarian restaurant called The Chin Swee Vegetarian Cuisine which serves authentic vegetarian fare.

There is also an accommodation option at the Chin Swee Temple complex called Goh Tong Hall Residence which offers reasonably priced and decent stay options. However, this is open to religious devotees only.

After having spent some hours in the calming locale of the Chin Swee Temple we retraced our steps back to the Chin Swee station to catch another glass-bottomed gondola to the peak of Resorts World Genting. As the Gondola glided forward and we reached the glitter and razzmatazz of the Awana Sky Avenue, the serenity of Chin Swee Temple still lingered around us like a halo.

Best time to visit Chin Swee Temple, Genting Highlands, Malaysia

Genting Highlands weather is very cool. Genting Highlands temperature ranges between 14 to 22 degrees Celsius all the 365 days a year. Best time to visit Chin Swee Caves temple and Resorts World Genting Highlands Malaysia is all year round.

Genting Highlands Tourism 

How To Get To Resorts World Genting Highlands Malaysia

Book cheap flights, hotels, bus tickets and cars on rent here.

How To Book Your Stay When Visiting Resorts World Genting Highlands Malaysia

Genting hotels – If you are planning to visit Resorts World Genting Highlands, Malaysia then you must be wondering where to stay in Genting, Malaysia or the best hotels in Genting Malaysia. Stay options to suit your budget are available at RWGenting and can be easily booked. For best accommodation – hotels in Resorts World Genting, Malaysia we suggest checking out our favorite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. Genting booking can be done through HotelsCombined or  Booking.com to save huge and get best deals on booking your stay in Resorts World Genting Highlands, Malaysia.

Driving around Genting Highlands, Malaysia

If you are looking at getting the best deals on car rental in Malaysia, then look no further. You can rent a car in Kuala Lumpur to explore and experience amazing Malaysia, and in and around areas and embark on a road trip of exploration and discovery of beautiful Malaysia.

Travel, Explore and Enjoy with peace

Before you head off on your travels do not forget to take the travel insurance just tailored for you. The insurance also provides free airport lounge access if the flight is delayed for more than an hour.

So when you are at the Resorts World Genting and are able to free yourself from the allure of its multifold attractions, do spend a few hours on literally another plane at the Chin Swee Temple.

Have you been to Resorts World Genting? Which is your favorite attraction there? Have you also experienced the tranquil atmosphere of the Chin Swee Caves Temple? Do let us know your thoughts and comments. We always value them as they help us in creating the best content.

We were hosted by Resorts World Genting, Malaysia. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own.

Our related posts on Resorts World Genting, Malaysia:

Genting Highlands Attractions – Resorts World Genting, Malaysia
Awana Bio Park – Resorts World Genting

Do You Love Traveling?

Do you want to know how to travel the world? We have put together a very useful travel resources page with best travel tips. Go check it out now.

Thanks for visiting our site Voyager – imvoyager.com and taking the time to read this post!

If you wish to collaborate/work with us then reach us at [email protected]

We’d love if you’d comment by sharing your thoughts on this post and share this post on social media and with your friends.

[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”27413782″]

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Follow our journey on our social media channels:
Facebook   Twitter   Instagram  Pinterest G+ YouTube