Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur

A stunning six-tiered Chinese temple on a hilltop in Robson Heights. The mix of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian elements across the prayer halls is fascinating. From the panoramic terrace, we had a clear view of the KL skyline at dusk. Free entry and free parking on-site.

The main prayer hall with shrines to Tian Hou, Guan Yin and Shui Wei Sheng Niang is beautiful. We spent about an hour walking all six levels and the gardens. No MRT nearby so Grab is the only practical option — about RM12 from the city centre.

Visited during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the entire temple was decorated with thousands of lanterns. Even on a regular day, the ornate architecture and the terrace views make this worth the trip. Built by the Hainanese community and completed in 1987.

The temple is pretty but getting here without a car is inconvenient — about 15 minutes by Grab from the centre. The hilltop location is nice for views but the surrounding area does not have much else to do. Plan for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on your interest.

Peaceful atmosphere away from the city bustle. The multiple tiers of the temple each have something different — prayer halls, tortoise ponds, gardens with stone carvings. The Tian Hou (Goddess of the Sea) shrine on the upper tier is the centrepiece. Donations are welcomed but not required.