Green Hill Temple, Muara Tebas

Note: This post is not meant for religious purpose. If you feel being offended, please kindly inform us or do not proceed reading this article. Have fun reading!

Ever wonder where to fill your free time by driving somewhere outstation to breath in fresh air while having the chance to enjoy the scenic views without having to pay a single cent? You may not have heard of this well known temple at Muara Tebas which is located about 30km off from Kuching. This temple is located on top of a green hill, heck it's called "Ching San Yen", direct translation would be "Green Hill Temple".

A view of Green Hill Temple from ground

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Cut the crap, don't ask me why it's called that way. The temple is located about 100m from ground and is facing the sea. Perhaps, long time ago fishermen built a small temple on top of the hill for worshipping purpose before they got down to sea. (This is totally fictional, I don't read the history.)

A view of the inside

Every year, tens of thousands Chinese from Kuching and other divisions drive up to Muara Tebas to visit the temple especially during Chinese New Year. The temple is packed with crowds and you find it hard to move around during the season. It's said that every lion dance troupe has to perform at the temple every Chinese New Year.

Lion Dance performance

There are many sculptures you can find at the temple. One famous sculpture is the Dragon, facing directly at the sea which has become a symbol to the temple.

Dragon sculpture.

Sculptures on the walls of the main entrance

Lord Buddha definitely is a special person. Being able to walk right after being born, He has different foots from normal people like you and me. Have a careful look at the Foot Print of Lord Buddha. Spot the difference and tell us.

The Foot Print Of The Lord Buddha

The text on the golden plate:
The Foot Print of Lord Buddha was left behind when He descended from the Tavatimsa Heaven after preaching the Abbidhamma to His mother. The inprints symbolises the one hundred and eight auspicious signs of His soles. The Foot Print is one of the sacred items in Buddhism and is commonly found in Buddhism temples.

Up to date, no one knows why the temple is being famous among Buddhists. Some say that the Lords at the temple are very accurate. There is also a belief that we have to show our sincerity each time we go there to worship. One common practice is we must not drink and eat in the morning before we go to the temple. With empty stomach, we drive 20 minutes from Kuching to Muara Tebas and walk up the staircase of hundreds steps before we reach the temple.

You may ask why?

It's because Green Hill Temple serves the best noodle in town! The noodle serves at the temple is far better than the Kolo Mee featured by Kenny Sia.

So called best Kolo Mee rated by Kenny Sia... *thumb down*

None of the noodles you found in downtown is better than this simple cooked noodle. No meat (vegetarian la duh!), no special ingredients but just green vegetables and salt. With chilli sauce, the noodle taste excellent especially when we walk up the hundreds steps staircase with empty stomach! You can fill your stomach as much as you can. Tell you, you won't be able to satisfy your hungriness until someone stop you!

The best free noodle available only at Green Hill Temple!

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Not only the noodle is the best you can found, Green Hill Temple also serves the best Kopi O around. Normally, people do not only drink a cup or two... but up to five to six cups of Kopi O.

The best Kopi O around...

You may ask if the Kopi O really tastes nice... Yea... and Kuchingities people ahh.. "Ai phi, yu ai chi" (want cheap, good quality). This free served Kopi O definitely never satisfy their thirst if only a cup or two. After all, they have to drive so far up from downtown to have taste the best free Kopi O available!

Short description of Green Hill Temple real history is available here for reading.