Kim Tek Ie Temple, Chinese temple in Glodok, Indonesia
Kim Tek Ie Temple is a Chinese prayer house in Glodok featuring traditional architecture with hand-carved details, curved roofs, and structures organized across two levels. The complex spreads across a spacious courtyard surrounded by the main buildings and auxiliary structures.
The temple was built in 1650 as the first Chinese prayer house in Jakarta under the leadership of Kwee Hoen, a lieutenant of the Chinese community. This establishment marked an important moment for the growing Chinese population in the colonial city.
This temple serves as a gathering place for Jakarta's Chinese community during religious ceremonies and seasonal festivals. Visitors can observe how residents use the space for worship and celebrate important occasions tied to their traditions.
The temple is accessible by public transportation with several bus stops and parking areas nearby in the Glodok district. Visitors should know that the neighborhood has narrow streets and can get crowded during peak hours.
The original name was Kwan Im Teng, and the Indonesian word klenteng used for all Chinese temples today comes from this name. This linguistic connection shows how deeply rooted this place is in the history of Chinese presence in Indonesia.
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