Guan Di Temple 关帝庙, Kuala Lumpur

Pic 1.0 : The Courtyard

What good is a sword? Or even a bigger and heavier weapon like the Chinese halberd (Guan Dao)? Well, it brings luck, and the more one touches it, more luck will be blessed upon that person.

In Chinatown, there is one Guan Di Temple (God of War Temple) that housed a 59kg cooper Guan Dao. The Guan Dao is believed to have “special powers” and will be blessed and protected by well wishers touching or lifting because of the inner force contained in it.

Pic 2.0 : The God of War

This temple is built to worship the God of War, China’s greatest warrior and is also known as General Kwan, Guan Di or Guan Yu. People are around the world worship God of War to seek protection and general well-being. It is known that God of War grants wishes to those who seek with pure mind.

Pic 3.0 : The Temple Entrance Roof

At the entrance of the temple, 2 huge and fierce looking general statues stand guard. Enter the door, and you will be greeted by the hanging incenses. God of War’s altar is right at the centre back. He is flanked by his godson seal carrying Guan Ping and his standard bearer Zhou Cang holding a guan dao. Compare the facial of God of War against the 2 door generals, God of War looks more gentle. As of usual Taoist temple, Guan Yin and other deities are also being worshipped.

The unique part of this temple is that the statues of God of War, Guan Ping and Zhou Cang are made of wood, which is very special, and hardly found in any other temples. More to that, there is another praying altar inside building that many are not aware of, placed at left hand side corridor of the temple.

Pic 4.0 : The Road Name

A full set of praying materials including burning papers cost RM6. The temple is situated along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest street. An Indian Temple can be found just opposite the temple. Many private open car parks are available around Chinatown. A note of advice, prepare some small change as they will be quite a number of beggars waiting for generosity at the temple’s entrance. The Guan Di Temple is open from 7am to 5pm daily.

Ctemple188 gives this Guan Di Temple 6/10 rating.