Chinese Temple and Museum in Darwin
Darwin saw a vast number of Chinese settlers during the days of the gold rush, and the Chinese Temple and Museum in Darwin is a place to learn and celebrate this era. Still a place of worship today, the site dates back to 1887 where the very first temple was built. Over the years, battling cyclones and war, the temple has been rebuilt and restored. The symbols over the temple entrance read ‘The Power of Almighty God reaches far and near’ and visitors have the chance to browse the many displays that document the lives and stories of these settlers in Darwin over the years.
The museum
The Chinese Museum in Darwin pays tribute to the story of the Chinese that played out over the years in the Northern Territory. Once the largest non-Aborginal group, settlers were brought over to work the goldfields and build the railway line from Palmerston to Pine Creek. Over the years, their willingness to work all hours saw them grow into an economically powerful nation in the region, although not without its discriminatory consequences. Today we see an acceptance in the Northern Territory, a sharing and appreciation of culture, and a harmonious existence. The Chinese Museum pays tribute to the forefathers that made this possible.
Our Darwin bus tour drops you a short stroll from the Chinese temple so hop off and take a look for yourself.
Other interesting facts about the Chinese Temple and Museum in Darwin
- The stone lions at the Chinese Temple were handcrafted in China and originally belonged to the Brocks Creek Temple
- After the Brocks Creek Temple was destroyed, the stone lions were moved to the Chinese Temple in Darwin
- In the grounds of the temple sits a sacred Bodhi tree, believed to have derived from the very tree that Buddha gained enlightenment
- The date on the original ceremonial bell is the year the very first temple was built on this site
