Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

The basics

Built in 2007, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is now one of the most visited temples in Singapore. After admiring the architectural landmark from the outside, head inside to marvel at the ground-floor temple, renowned for its lavish interiors.

On the third floor, the Buddhist Culture Museum is home to a number of ancient Buddhist relics, artifacts, and artworks, but the star attraction is housed in the Sacred Light Hall on the fourth floor. A public viewing area offers visitors a peek at the Buddha Tooth Relic, which is kept in a large golden stupa, adorned with 705 pounds (320 kilograms) of glittering gold. Complete your visit by taking in the views from the tranquil rooftop garden, where you’ll find the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda and a prayer wheel.

Things to know before you go

• Walking tours of Chinatown are certain to include a photo stop at, or a visit to, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.

• Admission is free.

• The temple is a place of worship and visitors must cover their arms and legs to enter. Shawls are provided at the entrance.

• Guided English-language tours are free and held once a week. Tours take about 2 hours.

• The temple and museum are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, in the heart of Chinatown, is easily reached on foot from downtown Singapore. The closest subway stations are Chinatown (Downtown and North East line) and Telok Ayer (Downtown line), both less than a 5-minute walk away.

When to get there

The temple is open daily from morning to evening, with the museum and stupa keeping slightly shorter hours. It’s worth timing your visit for one of the guided tours, held each Saturday afternoon, but for a quieter visit, come early on a weekday morning.

Exploring Singapore’s Chinatown

One of Singapore’s largest and most beloved neighborhoods, Chinatown is full of traditional shophouses, markets, food stalls, and temples. A walking tour or trishaw ride is the best way to explore, stopping along the way to admire landmarks such as the Thian Hock Keng Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple. Visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre to learn more about the neighborhood’s cultural heritage, browse the stalls at the Chinatown Night Market, and sample the district’s myriad culinary delights. Top foodie destinations include the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre and the street food vendors along Smith Street.

What is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and where is it in Singapore?

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is an active Buddhist temple that houses a relic believed to be a tooth from Buddha. The complex is located at 288 South Bridge Rd., in the heart of Chinatown. It’s within walking distance of downtown Singapore. The closest MRT stops are Chinatown and Telok Ayer.

What is the significance of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and why is it important to Buddhists?

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is a place of worship, a showcase of Buddhist culture, and a repository of important Buddhist relics, artifacts, and teachings. Its most important relic, believed to be the left canine tooth of Buddha, is enshrined in a giant stupa for veneration by Buddhists.

What are the operating hours of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and is there an entrance fee?

The temple is open daily from 7am to 5pm, and the Buddhas of the World Museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. There is no entrance fee to access the temple or museum, though donations are accepted. Guided tours of the temple's different floors and halls are offered on Saturdays.

How long does it take to thoroughly explore the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum?

Visitors should plan to spend at least two hours if they want to explore the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum thoroughly. The complex spans five stories and includes several museums, a pagoda, and a prayer wheel in the rooftop garden. Guided tours provided by the temple take around two hours.

Is there a dress code or specific rules visitors should know before entering?

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an active place of worship, and visitors must dress appropriately as a sign of respect. To enter, visitors must cover their shoulders, arms, and legs. Hats are not permitted. Shawls are provided at the entrance for visitors to cover up with.

Is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is wheelchair accessible. The side entrance offers a barrier-free entry, and an elevator goes up to the fourth floor. Access from the fourth floor to the rooftop is by staircase or an automated chair that requires the assistance of temple staff.