Dragons are legendary creatures symbolising potent and auspicious powers in Chinese mythology and folklore.
We visited Yong Peng’s Che Ann Khor Moral Lifting Society (永平德教会紫安阁) today. Coincidentally, this happened to be an auspicious day on which the Sultan of Johor officially opened its replica of a fortune dragon (转运祥龙) and Chinese Recreation Park.
The fortune dragon is beautifully crafted with colourful tiles which gleamed in the afternoon sun. Measuring 107m long, it is now the longest fortune dragon in Southeast Asia and potentially a world record holder.
There was a steady stream of people entering and leaving the Che Ann Khor main hall. Interestingly, we saw pieces of the dragon’s scale shaped tiles selling for RM88, as memorabilia I guess.
To get a full view of the fortune dragon, we took the elevator in the main hall to 2nd floor and walked to the balcony. The hall at 2nd storey has rows and rows of gold-plated Buddha and Bodhisattva statutes lined full-height along the walls. We were in awe of what we saw but unfortunately, no photography or videography is allowed in this hall.
Ancient Chinese folklore has it that by entering a dragon through its head and exiting through its tail, a person can bring about a change in luck. This ritual is said to dispel bad luck or change a person’s luck for the better.
Built at a cost of RM8million, the height of the dragon varies itself from 3.6m to 4.8m. The Che Kung (济公) statue atop the dragon is said to be the 2nd highest in the world at 20.72m, with the highest one in Taiwan.
The interior has 108 steps with paintings of Chinese cultural and religious teachings lining the walls.
Peering out from ‘inside of the dragon’ for a view of the main building. Tentage was erected in the temple’s compound for the official opening ceremony and events for local and overseas believers who had gathered here.
From earthly teachings to ‘Di Fu’, a purgatory in Chinese religions that serves to punish souls for their sins on earth and prepare them for reincarnation.
The images were disturbing so we’re glad to exit after that into the Recreation Park.
Figures of deities and immortals, Chinese beauties and 12 zodiac signs blended in harmoniously with the beautifully manicured landscape. The essential elements of a Chinese style garden are all found here; with pavilions, ponds, bridges and plants such as willow and bamboo.
Notice the little boxes beside the zodiac figures? They are for visitors’ donation to the temple. Make a wish, drop some coins into the box of your zodiac sign and hopefully the wish will come true.
Che Ann Khor and its fortune dragon is definitely worth a visit the next time you’re in Yong Peng. We certainly will.
Read more about the other interesting things to do in Yong Peng in Top 7 Things to Do in Yong Peng, Malaysia.
*****************************************
Useful information
Address: Lot HS 2677, Pt 2446, Jalan Kota Impian 1, 83700 Yong Peng, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-467 9800
Opening hours: 9AM–9PM
Getting here
Yong Peng is not along the railway line and hence it is not served by any train station.
The town is linked by the North-South Expressway to other major cities and towns. Besides driving, public coaches may be taken to get to Yong Peng. The coach fare from Singapore to Yong Peng is around S$20 and estimated journey time is 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
We travelled to Che Ann Khor in a coach with our day tour group. From our observation, there wasn’t any bus stops near the temple. The best way to get there may be via a cab. However, do note down the cab-booking phone number in case a cab may not be available on the return journey.
