Tan Si Chong Su, Chinese ancestral hall at Magazine Road, Singapore
Tan Si Chong Su is a Chinese ancestral hall on Magazine Road with three ceremonial halls whose curved roofs feature ceramic dragons, phoenixes, and flowers reflecting traditional Chinese architecture. The complex contains an entrance hall, main hall dedicated to deities, and a rear hall where visitors can observe traditional religious ceremonies taking place.
The hall was constructed between 1876 and 1878 and received national monument status in 1974. Its original location stood closer to Singapore River before land reclamation altered the coastline.
The hall preserves ancestor tablets of the Tan family and holds shrines to Chen Sheng Wang, Emperor Shun, and the Goddess of Mercy. Visitors can observe how descendants come here to pay respects and maintain connections with their family history through ritual practice.
The site is best visited during quieter times when major ceremonies are not taking place, allowing you to see the halls and altars clearly. It is important to be respectful by remaining quiet, removing shoes where customary, and honoring the spiritual nature of the space.
Two granite lions guard the entrances, with visitors traditionally entering through the Dragon Door and exiting via the Tiger Gate. This deliberate routing of entry and exit follows an ancient pattern meant to balance spiritual forces.
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