Poh Onn Kong Temple

The Poh Onn Kong Temple which is situated in the heart of the historic city of Melaka, Malaysia, is built in AD 1781 during the Ching Dynasty. It is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Malacca which has over 200 years of history.

The temple, with the propagation of the Two Doctrinal System of Taoism and Buddhism, serves to fulfill the spiritual needs and obligation of the Chinese community. The main deity consecrated to is San Ping Cho's-su-kong (Guang Ji Master), a buddhist Zen-monk of the Tang Dynasty.

Besides San Ping Cho'-su-kong, the temple is also a religious centre consecrated to deities Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai, Ma Zhu, Black and White Impermanence, Xiao Zi Ye, Gan Tian Da, Zhu Fu Wang Ye and Jun Ma Ye.

The temple's record shows that restorations had been carried out in AD 1811, AD 1862, AD 1866, AD 1902, AD 1916 and AD 1925.

As years of disrepair and termite scourge had rendered the building in severe dilapidation, the temple committee had in 1993 decided to rebuild the temple. The rebuilding was completed in 1998.

Being an old temple rich in heritage and cultural value, it is strategically located and it is not only a popular place of worship for the locals, but also an important tourist site for visitor from far and near.

It is one of the heritage sites listed as a Must-Visit, in the guide book published by the Tourism Development Board of Malacca.

The annual main event of the temple is the celebration of the birthday of San Ping Cho'-su-kong which fall on the 6th day of the 6th Lunar Moon, and devotees and worshipers will go to the temple for a few days to take-part in various activities.

Social obligation has always been observed by the temple committee, and blood donation campaign is one of the important annual activities.