PETALING JAYA: The Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) may mean that dreams to travel overseas have been dashed, but that does not mean one has to stay cooped up at home.
Try travelling locally and visit the many beautiful wonders that Malaysia has to offer. But be sure to practise social distancing and wear and a mask at all times to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Instead of hitting the gas pedal straight up to Resorts World Genting, why not take a short detour to the dreamy looking Chin Swee Caves Temple?
Sitting grandly alongside the clouds, it is hard to miss Chin Swee Caves Temple with its large red, welcoming entrance.
Visitors can park inside the temple free of charge, but space can be limited due to the increasing number of visitors using the interstate travel privileges of the RMCO.
Parking is also available outside the temple grounds, but it is not advisable as cars are always speeding up the hill so crossing the road is risky business.
For those who would like to take in the gorgeous scenery, riding the cable car up to Chin Swee station sounds like a better idea.
Located 1,400 metres above sea level, this impressive temple took 18 long years to build and was finally opened to the public in March 1994.
Visitors here are multiracial and are seen constantly streaming in and out of Chin Swee Caves Temple along with their children, admiring the colourful statues and enjoying the scenic view and the cold breeze.
The main attraction is the nine-storey pagoda, which is fitted with images of Buddha and thousands of blessing lamps.
Visitors and devotees are usually allowed to climb to the top and be treated to the spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Unfortunately, due to RMCO regulations, this activity was stopped but visitors and devotees are still able to light up joss sticks and say a prayer at the entrance to the pagoda.
Apart from the pagoda, there are many other interesting things to see here, including the statue and memorial to Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the founder of Genting Group.
Before making one’s way to the Journey of Enlightenment, where lie the 10 chambers of hell, do gaze up at the 15-metre tall, Buddha statue overlooking the mountains.
There are also many other traditional Chinese figurines and carvings, such as the stone wall leading to the statue of Buddha showcasing the famous 18 Lohans (divine characters in Buddhism) as well as the principal personalities in the famous Journey to the West, depicting some of their adventures to India in search of enlightenment.
Keep an eye out for the main characters, the Buddhist monk and his three disciples – the legendary monkey-god Sun Wukong, the greedy and mischievous Zhu Bajie and man-eating demon Sha Wujing.
It is interesting to note that the statues are pointed towards the mountains as if they are about to set sail on their journey.
While at one end of the big square there is a serene statue of a sitting Buddha, at the other end is the compassionate figure of a standing Guan Yin.
Guan Yin is a female Bodhisattva and is venerated as an embodiment of compassion and mercy.
Tired after all that walking? Enjoy a couple of sticks of delicious lok-lok from one of the many food kiosks located at the bottom of the temple.
Chin Swee Caves Temple is indeed the perfect place to let city stress melt away and, being so high with the clouds is a mythical feel in itself.
An added plus is the Instagram-worthy photos to be scored on a trip here. It’s a temple definitely worth adding to the bucket list.
Chin Swee Caves Temple
Opening Hours: Daily 9am–6pm
Location: Genting Highlands, Pahang
Entrance and parking: Free
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