Hwa Kuo Shan (花果山) @ Sedenak

In the Legend of Monkey God, Sun Wu Kong was born from a mythical stone and crowned the Monkey King of Hwa Kuo Shan (花果山). Do you know that there is a Hwa Kuo Shan temple at Kampung Baru Sedenak that is dedicated to the Monkey God?

Located about 34km (21 miles) from Johor Bahru, it seems like many pilgrims visit the temple to seek lottery luck judging from the numbers that can be seen everywhere around the area.

Beside worshiping the Chinese deities, Hwa Guo Shan also houses the Thailand Buddha. The coffee shop at the right side of the temple serves as a resting point, providing refreshment and snacks.

Overlooking the small hill is a panorama scenic view of the 12 Chinese Zodiac statues and Guanyin Bodhisattva sitting on the hill top. You can take the stairways and climb up to the top and have a close up view of the sculptures.

Statues of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals

Fish pond

Tortoise pond

Next to the tortoise pond are bathing rooms where visitors can take a bath with the blessed water. Some even use the water to wash their car plate number hoping to be Lucky! "Heng Heng"

Hwa Kuo Shan would not have earned its name without the presence of monkeys. They are practically everywhere around the premises! Jumping on the rooftops, swinging on the cable, sitting by the ledge or even eyeing on your food!

Beware! Some monkeys can be quite hostile even when you try to take a picture. If you have young children with you, do keep a lookout and stay close to them.

Some monkeys seems rather tame. We spotted the Mommy and baby pair where she sat quietly with her little one clinging onto her - a heartwarming sight.

If you are keen and feeling daring enough, you may purchase peanut packets from the coffee shop to feed the monkeys. We brought some packets along with us and Hubby lead the children to feed the long-tailed imps.

Merely seconds after we made our way down, the monkeys swarmed towards our group. Despite feeling a little afraid, Denver & Gladys managed to satisfy their tummies by throwing the peanuts towards them.

Taking turn to savour the peanuts...

It can be quite daunting seeing so many monkeys within the temple but also an interesting one. For once, the children did not feel bored and was always on guard!

Hua Guo Shan (花果山) 

Address: Kampung Baru Sedenak, 81010 Kulai, Johor
GPS: 1.690758, 103.512730