Built-in the 1850s the Yueh Hai Ching Temple is the oldest Teochew Temple, it begins with a makeshift shrine in 1820s by the seafarers and merchant to express their gratitude toward Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea for their safe travel. In 1899 the temple was bestowed with the wordings Peaceful clouds over the ocean at dawn by Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. In 1996 the temple was gazetted as a national monument and undergo restorations in 2011 using authentic materials and traditional constructions technique from master craftsmen from China and the temple is famous for its ornate roof details and its reliefs. In 2014 the temple received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conversation Award-Merit for its commendable restoration efforts.
