500 Lohan Temple — Attraction in Tanjung Pinang

A marvelous Buddhist temple dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisatva who took a vow to not attain buddhahood until all hells were emptied.

When I walked into the complex, apart from a giant statue of a deity, pillars that looked exactly the same as the Ashoka pillar of India caught my eye.

The 500 Lohan/Arhat statues are a short walk behind the diety. Each of them is unique. Someone with more knowledge of Buddhism than I will definitely be able to better appreciate the nuances on display.

From this point, a short walk up a hill leads to the shrine of Ksitigarbha Bodhisatva. The top of this hill also offers a grand view of all the 500 Lohan stood in rows and columns that are slightly curved as if to mimic the seating arrangement in an amphitheater.

PS: There is a cute kitten here. Please feed him if you can. He looked emaciated and skinny. He is friendly and will follow you around asking for food.

Details of this temple are really hard to come by online. A review on Tripadvisor claims the deity is vishnu and that the temple is dedicated to King Ahsoka of India whose 500 followers/arhats spread Buddhism. After a bit of research, I found nothing to indicate this claim to be true. While there are definitely Ashoka pillars in this complex, no further connection to Ashoka or his connection to the 500 lohan can be found anywhere online. There is also no indication online that the large statue is that of Vishnu's.

There definitely needs to be more information online about this...

Lohan Temple Bintan is truly a hidden gem on the beautiful island of Bintan. This temple offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, making it the perfect place for spiritual contemplation and relaxation.

The temple's architecture is stunning, with intricate carvings and vibrant colors that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region. The statues of the lohans, or arhats, are particularly impressive, each one unique and exquisitely crafted.

Visiting Lohan Temple is not only a visual feast, but also a spiritual journey. The temple grounds are well-maintained and provide a tranquil setting for meditation and reflection. The lush gardens surrounding the temple add to the overall sense of serenity.

The temple staff are friendly and welcoming, always ready to assist visitors and share the history and significance of the temple. Their dedication to maintaining the temple's beauty and providing a peaceful environment for visitors is truly commendable.

I highly recommend visiting Lohan Temple Bintan for anyone seeking a unique and immersive cultural experience. Whether you are interested in Buddhism or simply appreciate beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings, this temple is a must-visit...

An interesting place and indeed it is one of the MUST GO tourist attractions in Tanjung Pinang. A mimic of the famous Terracotta soldiers. But this is a statue of all different Chinese Lohan and each have different faces and even different bodies depicting the respective Lohan. Though the place is small and I believed there are still some unfinished items, it is already a nice place to visit and walk around and enjoy the scenes and its aura. And most importantly it is well maintained. And if you have time, do read the story board pasted along the fence. It is a short and simple story and it is easy to understand. It give you a high level understand of some of the complex legends of ancient land and how it is depicted by some...