Ching San Yen Temple, Muara Tebas: Kuching's Hilltop Green Hill Temple

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If you only know Muara Tebas for seafood, this hilltop temple is the part many people drive past too quickly.

Ching San Yen, also known as Green Hill Temple, sits above Kampung Muara Tebas near the Sarawak River delta. It is not a glossy new tourist stop. The charm is older than that: red walls, golden roof details, sea breeze, a staircase up the hill, and that quiet feeling you get when a place has been used by generations.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Esther Siaw, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Esther Siaw, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Esther Siaw, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Esther Siaw, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Esther Siaw, CC BY 4.0

What to expect:

• A short uphill temple visit, with more than a hundred steps depending which path you take.
• Bright traditional Chinese temple details, especially the roofline, wall paintings and altar area.
• A peaceful Muara Tebas side trip that pairs nicely with seafood lunch.
• Best timing: morning or late afternoon. Midday can be hot on the hill.

Useful notes:

Address area: Kampung Muara Tebas, Kuching, Sarawak.
Distance: around 30km from Kuching city centre.
Entry: generally free, but bring small cash for donation or parking during busy festive periods.
Dress and manners: this is an active place of worship, so keep it respectful, avoid blocking devotees, and be careful with photos inside.

Would you go for the temple first, or seafood first? I think the best route is temple before lunch, then reward yourself after coming down.