Tua Pek Kong Temple @ Pasir Panjang, Perak

My father-in-law really knows where's the most happening places in Perak. So the other day when we were in Taiping, he suggested that we visit one of the latest attractions in Perak-Tua Pek Kong Temple (霹靂巴錫班尖海邊仙祠大伯公苗及觀音堂) at Pasir Panjang. We were of course very delighted as it was our first time hearing about this relatively new landmark. It is after all a huge temple with beautiful sculpture garden, making it even more appealing to us. After eating our breakfast, off we headed to Pasir Panjang to meet all the deities.

You can see the Tua Pek Kong temple as the backdrop of this photo.
Too bad...I didn't go in to offer my prayers. Too many people...

Honestly...even my father-in-law didn't know how to get to this new Tua Pek Kong Temple. Ha :D So we needed quite a lot of help from the locals before we finally reached the place. We pulled over at least 3 times I think...thank goodness we managed to arrive safely at the temple. I love our 2 hours' journey to the temple. We had to zig-zag through a hug palm oil plantation before we reached Sitiawan. Along the way we also spotted gargantuan aquaculture farms which was truly a sight to behold.

Welcome to the Sculpture Garden (which is directly behind the temple).

Jordan was crying. Perhaps he was scared by the deity statue. Ha :D

A few more photos snapped in the Sculpture Garden

When we reached the Tua Pek Kong Temple, it was already 12:30p.m. It was so scorching hot on that day. Upon arriving, hundreds of cars were already lining up outside the enormous majestic temple. I guess there were thousands of devotees and tourists flocking the temple on that day. Then only I realized that it was the Goddess of Mercy's birthday, that was why the temple was virtually full! Talking about timing huh. Having said so it was really hard for us to move around in the temple.

So there are a few sacred caves.

Besides the temple, you can also offer your prayers here.

Ask and you shall receive.

The pond where you can "release lives" to gather good karma.

So how are you guys doing in this pond?

The whole temple was so crowded that my wife and I decided not to offer our prayers, instead we waited outside for my father-in-law and sister-in-law. However we couldn't resist not taking any photos of this beautiful temple featuring an amazing sculpture garden right? So we did manage to buy some time to snap some photos here and there. I personally love the whole temple. All the sculpture looks beautiful. However non can be compared to the huge, gargantuan Tua Pek Kong statue sitting majestically, facing the sea. It was certainly breathtaking to be standing in front of Him. :)

It's such a hot day huh!

Can you guess why grandpa and Jordan boy were posing beside this tiger?

Aww...such a beautiful sculpture garden. :)

So these are the famed 8 deities right?

There's a waterfall right in middle of the cave.

Wait...how come there are mermaids?

Aww...the famous uncle who loves to fish. Ei...where's his fishing rod?

All in all, it was an exciting adventure for us, especially for Jordan boy and Jasmine girl. It was an eye-opening experience to be there. The whole temple, along with its assemble of statues, will certainly make your jaws drop regardless of whether you are a devotee or not. So you should travel all the way to Pasir Panjang to visit this Tua Pek Kong Temple? Definitely. My only complain is that there are not enough greenery around the temple. They should have planted more trees to cool the the temple. :p

Posing with Goddess of Mercy. It's Her birthday.

Posing with Tua Pek Kong. :)

Damn majestic right?

I am hoping that I can visit this temple again to snap more photos on my next visit. By then both Jasmine and Jordan will be bigger and will be able to pose for me. Haha :D So I will have more time to capture all those priceless photos and videos. Until we meet again Tua Pek Kong...hopefully next time around our timing will be better. :)