Religious & Sacred · Buddhist cave temple
Sam Poh Tong
In short: Sam Poh Tong, the "Cave of the Three Treasures", is a Buddhist cave temple in the limestone of Gunung Rapat, south of Ipoh's centre, with Shakyamuni Buddha as its main deity. Researchers count it among seven Ipoh cave temples with records showing they existed before the Second World War. It is a working place of worship.
The Cave of the Three Treasures
Sam Poh Tong is a Buddhist temple at Gunung Rapat, with Shakyamuni Buddha as its main deity. Gunung Rapat holds a cluster of cave temples that also includes Nam Thean Tong, next door, and Kek Lok Tong. Researchers chose Sam Poh Tong as one of seven Ipoh cave temples with dated records, objects or gazette records showing they existed before the Second World War.
Its story
Researchers say monks of Kwong Fook Ngam’s lineage founded it. The temple is said to appear in the 1957 Hong Kong film 《椰林月》. On 3 February 1974, it is recorded, a dam at a tin mine across the road burst, sending mud over Sam Poh Tong and Nam Thean Tong.
Visiting respectfully
Look for the tortoise pond and the Goddess of Mercy pavilion. This is a place of worship first: dress modestly, keep your voice low near altars and people praying, and ask before photographing anyone. Our guide to five Ipoh cave temples has more.
Photos
Questions
Who founded Sam Poh Tong?
Researchers say monks of Kwong Fook Ngam's lineage founded it, a lineage traced to a monastery in Putian, Fujian. Its founder, Venerable Qingxin, is described as a disciple of Kwong Fook Ngam's Reverend Wei Jia. A story that it began in 1890 has no documentary source.
How should I visit Sam Poh Tong?
As a guest at a working place of worship. Read the signs at the entrance, follow guidance from temple staff, dress modestly, keep your voice low near altars and ask before photographing anyone.
Facts on this page come from Aevum's researched stories, which list their sources. Details can change, so check before you travel. Sources: Tan Ai Boay, International Journal of Heritage, Art and Multimedia (2021); Toh Teong Chuan, Malaysiakini columns (2017); Malay Mail (2018); NUS Libraries (2022); Sojourn (ISEAS); Sin Chew Daily (2019, 2022); Oriental Daily (2017); The Star (2020); Tourism Perak; The Buddhist Channel; malaysia-traveller.com; showcaves.com; nowseeing.com; Ipoh City Council (MBI), "Info Ipoh"; Ipoh World; Malay Mail (2014, 2015, 2018, 2023); Ipoh Echo (2014, 2023); Free Malaysia Today (2020); britishmalaya.home.blog (2019); Zakaria et al., Planning Malaysia (2022); SISMIM mosque registry (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia); UiTM Perak symposium paper (2012); Bernama; J. M. Pladdet, Wageningen University (2019); Utusan Malaysia (2023); Toh Teong Chuan, Malaysiakini column (2017); kaumaram.com (temple history); Marketing-Interactive (2014); New Straits Times (2022).
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