The PP Chinese Temple

Not a lot of people know about the existence of a serene Chinese temple in Puerto Princesa City. Located in barangay Sta. Lourdes, tourists who go on the Honda Bay Island Hopping Adventure can see this place from outside the walls. It is not, however, part of the standard tour. I doubt that the van operators even bother to acknowledge its existence to the guests.

Not a lot of people know that this temple exists, and that it's open to the public.

The temple is located right in front of Villa Saturnina. Guests can simply walk in, sign up with the guard, and take a quick tour. It is best to visit at around 7-9 in the morning or 3-5 in the afternoon. You may not feel comfortable walking around and taking pictures when there's an ongoing activity or ceremony.

Literally across the street from Villa Saturnina.

On a good day, visitors will get to talk to Chinese monks who will try to explain certain aspects about their faith. It will be a challenging and interesting conversation due to the language barrier, but you will get to learn a thing or two about how things work. For instance, I was told that if I light three candles, kneel in front of the huge Buddha, and bow a couple of times, I will be blessed with good health, good finances or a good love life. Or at least I think that was what he said. 

Light your chinese candles and stick them here.

The origin of the temple remains a mystery to me, but the people who stay there told me that most of the materials used to build it came straight from China. As you enter the temple, you will be overwhelmed by the huge statue in the middle (from floor to ceiling!). There are also several smaller statues of idols with different facial expressions and dispositions. The place also looks new enough to surmise that it was built within the last 3 to 5 years.

Intricate Designs, imported straight from China.

At the back of the main temple is a Filipino-inspired temple made from indigenous materials. It is an interesting building to look at because it stands out from the regular temples built with cement and stone. It also feels more relatable to locals.

This Filipino inspired temple is a sight to behold.

While a visit to the temple is free, there are certain rules to abide by. First, you need to behave inside the facility. You can't be too rowdy or too vulgar. This is a religious place, and you need to respect the area regardless of your personal beliefs. Second, cameras are not allowed inside the temple. You can take photos outside the temple, but please refrain from taking photos of the idols and statues. I don't know why this is so, but I imagine facing a string of bad luck should I decide to violate this rule. Finally, shoes/slippers off when you enter the temple.

Photos are allowed outside, but not inside the temple.