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Nam Thin Tong Or Cave Temple Of The Southern Sky, Ipoh
In this photograph the Nam Thin Tong temple can be seen built into the limestone hills. It is also known as Nan Tian Dong or Nam Thien Tong, Tong meaning 'cave'.
Nam Thin Tong is the oldest temple in the Gunong Rapat temple complex. Its upper chamber has timber floors laid on trusses, constructed in the same way as 19th century shophouses. Timber partition panels are decorated with classical-type Chinese paintings. Legend says it was discovered by a Chinese Taoist priest named Kuong San Teik in 1867. A well kept historical journal maintained by the temple management committee, shows that this current chief priest is at its fourth generation of management.
In this limestone range that runs parallel with Gopeng Road and near the small settlement called Gunung Rapat, barely 10 minutes drive from the city there are four main cave temples, three at one end while another at the back of the range. They are Sam Poh Tong (San Bao Dong), Nam Thin Thong (pictured), Ling Xian Yan and Ji Le Dong at the back of the range. With the exception of this the Nam Thing Tong Taoist temple, these temples are of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition.
The above information is adapted from http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/leofoo/Thai-amulets/Ipoh/index.htm. There is much more available there.
To read more about Sam Poh Tong, click here.
To read more about the book ‘Kinta Valley’, click here.