Kim Tek Ie Temple, Chinese temple in Glodok, Indonesia

Kim Tek Ie Temple, also called Vihara Dharma Bhakti, stands in the Glodok Chinatown of Jakarta. Its main hall holds the Guanyin image that survived the 2015 fire, which destroyed the ornamented roof frame and some 40 historic sculptures. A large courtyard is surrounded by the main buildings and smaller shrines, including a small structure in the yard where deities of both the Buddhist and Taoist pantheons are venerated.

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.