So yesterday, I posted about my street art hunt in Chinatown, and since I had some extra time, I decided to swing by the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. It's right across from the Maxwell MRT station, super easy to get to, which is probably why it’s a must-see for priests visiting Singapore. This temple is truly something special. The decorations and intricate details make it a sight to behold even from across the road.
I’ve been to this temple a few times now, but honestly, I don’t always go inside. Yesterday, though, I figured, why not? Out of all the temples in the city, this one’s gotta be the most beautifully designed.
The attention to detail is next-level, from the exterior all the way through to the interior.
In fact, the inside is even more stunning. It's like they put their heart and soul into making every inch of it as welcoming as possible, no matter where you’re from or what you believe.
One thing to remember, though; there’s a dress code, especially for the ladies. I noticed a few tourists who weren’t aware of it, and the temple staff kindly offered them cover-ups so they could go inside. They just borrow them for the visit and return them afterward. I thought that was a nice touch, making sure everyone feels comfortable and welcome.
For me, the best part of the whole experience was just soaking in the art and the spiritual vibe.
The statues and figures are incredible. Each one is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted to impress and inspire. What really blew me away was how perfectly aligned and spaced out all the small statues were, like someone’s job is just to make sure they’re all in perfect order.
The most touching part was seeing the devotion of the people praying there.
Some were alone, while others came with family or friends. There’s a sort of system guiding visitors along certain paths, and the main entrances are along S. Bridge Rd., with the front facing the road and the back near the Chinatown food complex.
During my visit, I just went with the flow, following the other visitors and stopping to take photos whenever something caught my eye. Despite the number of people inside, there was this peaceful, quiet ambiance that I really appreciated. I’m sure those praying would agree.
Experiencing a different culture and belief system like this is always eye-opening. This visit wasn’t even planned, but sometimes those spontaneous moments lead to the best discoveries. Exploring places like this around my city makes me feel more connected and refreshed. All in all, it was a pretty amazing day.
