The Kwan Sing Bio Temple
the temple with a crab

The Kwan Sing Bio Temple is a Chinese temple in Tuban, East Java. The temple is one of the largest Chinese temples in South East Asia. Visited by thousands per year the Kwan Sing Bio temple Tuban is an important religious place. An important place in the history of Chinese religion and culture indeed. Not only for Indonesia even more in South East Asia. Mostly Chinese from Indonesia visit the temple but also people from other countries around Indonesia. Visitors from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and of course China all they come together in Tuban.

The whole temple consists of a large area. The temple itself as the spiritual centre of the Kwan Sing Bio temple locates behind the main entrance. Then follows a small garden with many spiritual icons. In the back part of the temple, there is a big garden. The garden in typical Chinese style has its own charm. However, a bridge leads to a small pagoda in the middle of a little lake. Moreover, behind almost at the end, there is the dormitory finally.

In fact, believers from different countries meet here in conjunction to celebrate their religion. However, the temple has a lot of unique things. But what makes the temple so unique? Indeed one thing is the location. Located just a few steps away from the shore with the main entrance in the direction to the Java Sea. That thing makes the temple very unique.

Chinese culture in East Java

As usual for Chinese culture, the dragon is the major symbol everywhere around the world. But as we can see here not in Tuban. The symbol of the Chinese temple in Tuban is a crab. The huge crab figure fixed above the entrance is the icon and visible from afar. So far, the crab as the symbol comes from a legend. The legend says that a huge crab visited the temple by entering the temple through the shoreside main entrance.

A crab as an icon and the location on the Java Sea makes the temple unique.

Besides the practice of religion, the temple also used for performances and other events. Each year people celebrate Chinese New Year in the Kwan Sing Bio temple as a major event indeed. But there is more. For instance Barongsai, Chinese puppet shows, fireworks, Kung Fu and other performances held here.

In 2016 the temple got a major upgrade. The roof covering partially renewed and a roof dormer installed in the centre of the roof. Furthermore, a huge warrior figure installed in the right corner next to the dormitory. This figure in the backyard now is the new landmark in Tuban and surround.