371 Race Course Road

Leong San See Temple

About

Leong San See (Temple of the Dragon Mountain) is a Buddhist temple dedicated to Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy). Located at 371 Race Course Road, it is a significant architectural and social landmark within the Race Course Road (Jalan Besar) Conservation Area. The temple attracts many devotees during festivals and celebrations in honour of Guan Yin.

The History

The temple has its roots in the An Ping district of the Fujian province in China before this particular branch was established in Singapore in 1917. The present temple was completed in 1926 with funding from Tan Boo Liat - son of Tan Soon Toh, grandson of Tan Kim Ching and great-grandson of Tan Tock Seng. A prominent local merchant, community leader and philanthropist – Boo Liat was also the builder of the Golden Bell at Pender Road and the Wayang State at the Balestier Gochor Tua Pek Kong temple (both are gazetted conservation buildings).[1] The temple also played an important role in education when the adjacent Mee Toh School was set up in 1954 to provide free Chinese tuition to children of the post-WW2 baby boom who were born into poor families living in the neighbourhood.[2]

[1] Evelyn Lip, Chinese Temples and Deities (Singapore: Times Books International, 1981) 65.

[2] Leon Comber, Chinese Temples in Singapore (Singapore: Eastern Universities Press, 1958) 68.

The Building

This is a good example of Southern Chinese temple architecture that had spread into South East Asia following the waves of immigration from Fujian into the region. More recent additions to the building has not detracted too much from its imperial grandeur and beauty. The traditional Chinese planning and proportional relationships of the spaces are present.

Its focal point is the elaborate and decorative roof, built by Fujian builders in the typical Fujian style that emphasises curved roof ridges. Each ridge terminates in a ‘swallow’s tail’, while the main ridges are adorned with fine ceramic dragons, chimeras, phoenix and flowers created out of cut and paste porcelain pieces – another traditional Fujian decorative technique. Another feature of note on the roof are the four large and profusely ornamented 3-dimensional panels at the end of the perpendicular ridges.

The entrance gate is guarded by two carved stone lions and a pair of round windows that are flanked by bats. There are also decorative plaster panels of figurines and landscapes. Just above the masonry wall are finely carved timberworks which have illustrations from Chinese history and mythology.

The structural system for the roof of the complex is one of the last few in Singapore to be built completely in the traditional Chinese timber beam-frame structural system before WW2. Post WW2, such techniques have largely been abandoned.

The timberworks for this temple also showcases the traditional Fujian skills of woodcarving, lacquer and gilding work. Of note are the finely carved and gilded panels and beams at the main entrance gate. Within the main halls, the timber beams and brackets are also decorated in a similar manner – the illustrations have gained a patina of age from decades of exposure to incense smoke. Look out also for the imposing timber columns that covered in glossy traditional lacquer – these beams rest on delicately carved granite bases – some which still retain their traditional painted surfaces.

The end gable walls of the side halls that can be seen from the main road are of the profile that symbolises the ‘Water-element’ in Chinese belief, and it is one of the more rarely seen examples. The choice of which of the Five-elements to use as a gable profile is often dictated by the characteristics of the site, its builder and the intended occupant.

It is said that the majority of the construction materials were imported from China. The use of marble wall tiles on the building and square ceramic/mosaic tiles, as well as the glossy yellow roof tiles are more recent interventions.

The main altar features the deity of Guan Yin, portrayed here in her ‘1000 arms’ guise, symbolising boundless mercy and compassion. Other deities are housed in beautifully and skilfully carved recessed niches.

The Legacy

It is a fine showcase of Fujian temple architecture of its time, establishing it as an architectural landmark for the Race Course Road Conservation Area, and a social and historical landmark for the wider community. This building adds on to the cultural and architectural diversity of the surrounding conservation area.

Gazetted on 6 June 2014.

Guidelines and Procedures

All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.

Residential Fronts are characterised by timber casement windows flanking a double-leafed timber door. All buildings with residential front which is existing and/or identified in the 'Specific Restoration Guidelines', regardless of land use zoning, shall be retained and restored.

• Any proposed additions and alterations to this conserved building are subject to evaluation. Please submit your proposal for URA’s review.

• Apply for Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG)

• Submission Process for Works

Explore Street View

The building can be found at this street.