Attraction

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is one of Singapore's most magnificent cultural landmarks, standing at the heart of Chinatown on South Bridge Road. This awe-inspiring four-storey temple was built in 2007 using traditional Tang Dynasty architectural techniques, featuring intricate wooden carvings, ornate dragon motifs, and stunning gold-leaf decorations throughout. The temple was constructed to house what is believed to be the left canine tooth of the historical Buddha, recovered from a collapsed stupa in Mrauk-U, Myanmar—a sacred relic now enshrined in a 320-kilogram solid gold stupa on the fourth floor. Each level of the temple offers a unique experience. The ground floor Hundred Dragons Hall welcomes visitors with its breathtaking ceiling of 10,000 Buddha images and a magnificent Maitreya Buddha statue. The second floor houses the Eminent Sangha Museum, showcasing rare Buddhist artifacts, scriptures, and art from across Asia spanning centuries of Buddhist heritage. The third floor features the Aranya Gallery with rotating cultural exhibitions. The rooftop garden provides a serene escape with a traditional pagoda, prayer wheel, and lotus pond. The basement is home to Lian Xin Vegetarian Food Court, where visitors can enjoy affordable Buddhist vegetarian cuisine from just $3 per meal. The temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM with free admission. Visitors are expected to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and maintain respectful silence in prayer areas. Photography is welcome except in the relic chamber on the fourth floor. The temple is easily accessible via Chinatown MRT station (NE3/DT19), just a 2-minute walk away. Regular cultural events, Dharma talks, and celebrations during Vesak Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chinese New Year make this an essential destination for understanding Singapore's Buddhist heritage and Chinatown's living cultural traditions.