Da Seng Ngan Temple, a literal buried treasure, had been forgotten since 1974 when a flash flood caused a mudslide to sweep over the area. However, since its re-excavation in 2006, precious artifacts have been discovered, and the temple has been gradually rejuvenating itself to become the tourist destination it aspires to be.
To get to Da Seng Ngan, take the unnamed dirt road that leads to Mirror Lake, turning onto it from Jalan Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah highway. However, be aware that the highway is one-way, so if you’re on the opposite side, you’ll need to drive further and make a U-turn. There are small signs by the side of the road that signal where you need to turn. Even locals may have trouble finding the temple, so keep an eye out for the Buddha statue signs placed at regular intervals on the road.
The road to Da Seng Ngan might leave you wondering where you’re going, passing makeshift lorry lots and industrial warehouses. But stay the course, and you’ll arrive at this hidden gem.
The present official entrance is denoted by an unadorned metal arch, that will likely undergo renovation to become more striking in the future. Once you pass through the gate and take a left, there is a small area where vehicles can park next to the cliffs. On the day of the visit, there was no parking charge, but during festive occasions such as the Lunar New Year, there may be a nominal fee.
What to see
Thanks to the restoration work, the interior of the cave looks brand new. The cleanliness is exceptional due to the lack of visitors at Da Seng Ngan, giving the caretakers ample time to maintain it. However, I didn’t explore the cave myself as one of the temple caretakers was taking eerie pictures of me in the courtyard.
Da Seng Ngan Temple houses the typical altars dedicated to popular deities, but what distinguishes it from others are the numerous long rows of gilded Buddha statues. Individuals seeking to enhance their overall quality of life, or that of their dear ones, have the opportunity to fund a statue and have their name inscribed at its base. It is said that there are more than a thousand such statues at the temple, which has been operational for fifteen years.
On the right side of the cave entrance, there is a staircase that leads to the rooftops of the second floor. Here, you can find more golden statues under blue gazebos. While the view is of grasslands and unattractive warehouses, it’s not a very high location. As for the presence of a toilet inside the temple, I cannot confirm since I did not enter. However, given that this temple is in a remote location, it’s reasonable to assume that there is a washroom available for visitors to use.
At present, Da Seng Ngan Temple only has one review on TripAdvisor, but its high ratings on Google caught our attention. The ongoing restoration work and the temple’s plan to add one thousand golden Buddha statues by the riverfront suggest that it has grand ambitions. In a few years, it may become an impressive and sprawling temple worth visiting.
If you have time to spare, the abundance of sponsored statues and their newness are visually pleasing. It’s not too far from Sam Poh Tong and can be included in your temple-hopping itinerary. However, if you’re considering a trip specifically for this attraction, it may not be worth the effort. Finding the temple can be challenging, and it’s isolated unless you also plan to visit Mirror Lake, which is another underwhelming site. We cut our visit short at Da Seng Ngan Temple and instead went to Kek Lok Tong, and I don’t regret that decision.
Address
Da Seng Ngan Temple 大乘壧佛寺
Address: Jln Sultan Nazrin Shah, 31300 Ipoh, Perak