Sam Sing Kung Temple — The Oldest Temple in Sandakan

Last updated: 7 October 2026

What is Sam Sing Kung Temple?

Sam Sing Kung (Three Saints) Temple stands beside the town padang in Sandakan. Sabah Tourism describes it as the oldest temple in Sandakan, first constructed in 1885 and completed in 1887 (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026).

This page's web address uses the spelling "Sam Sim Kung". Sabah Tourism uses "Sam Sing Kung", and so do we.

Why is it called the Three Saints Temple?

Sabah Tourism translates the name as Three Saints Temple (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026). An earlier version of this page described a single deity called the "Three-Heart Lord". We could not find a reliable source for that, and we have not found an official source that names the three saints honoured here, so we have removed that section. The temple caretakers are the best people to ask.

Visiting the temple

Sam Sing Kung is a working place of worship as well as a heritage stop. Dress modestly, keep your voice low, and ask before photographing anyone at prayer. Opening hours are not officially published, so check locally before making a special trip.

The temple on the Sandakan Heritage Trail

The temple is one of the stops on the Sandakan Heritage Trail. Sabah Tourism's route runs past these places (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026):

Agnes Keith House
The remains of a staircase believed to belong to the pre-war Chinese Government Consulate
Goddess of Mercy Chinese Temple, a small temple built in the late 1880s
St. Michael's and All Angels Church, a stone church
Sam Sing Kung Temple, through the main gate of the town padang
The Malaysia Fountain
The Harrisons (& Crosfield) building
Wisma Warisan, which houses the Sandakan Heritage Museum

Sabah Tourism lists Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan as the contact for the trail and suggests contacting the Sandakan Heritage Trail Committee for a tour (Sabah Tourism, checked 7 October 2026).

Frequently asked questions

Q How old is Sam Sing Kung Temple?

Sabah Tourism says the temple was first constructed in 1885 and completed in 1887, and describes it as the oldest temple in Sandakan.

Q Is it Sam Sim Kung or Sam Sing Kung?

Sabah Tourism spells it Sam Sing Kung and translates the name as Three Saints Temple. This page previously used the spelling Sam Sim Kung.

Q Which deities are worshipped at the temple?

The name means Three Saints. We have not found an official source that names the deities, so we do not list them here. Ask the temple caretakers when you visit.

Q Is the temple open to non-Chinese visitors?

It is a stop on the public Sandakan Heritage Trail. It is a working place of worship, so dress modestly, keep your voice low and ask before photographing worshippers.

Q How do I find the temple?

On the Sandakan Heritage Trail, walk downhill from St. Michael's and All Angels Church towards the town padang. The temple is through the main gate of the padang.