Sze Yup Temple & Joss House

A 19^th century Chinese temple was the last thing I expected to stumble upon in Glebe. On a sizeable plot of land, the temple is located steps away from Bicentennial Park and Rozelle Bay. It instantly reminded me of the dozens of temples I saw while living in Hong Kong. This temple was actually built in 1898, and was reconstructed due to a fire in 1955. The entrance is at the massive gate, guarded by two gilded lion statues. Once you enter, the Temple is on the left. Burning incense is omnipresent; there are incense and joss sticks of all sizes and coiled incense hanging from above.
In a Chinese temple, believers bring offerings to their ancestors. Upon entering the main shrine of the temple, I saw many different offerings, primarily fruit, all arranged on a pyramid shape on the altar. Throughout the temple, you can see an authentic showcase of Chinese art and calligraphy. In another room, there is a wall dedicated to deceased family members, though I could not tell you more since I cannot read Chinese very well. If you’re searching for tranquility or if you’re just curious about Chinese religious culture, stop by the Sze Yup Temple for a stroll.