Chinese temple in Padang

Pic; Chinese temple in Padang

Although the Chinese have settled in Indonesia for hundreds of years, I have never come across a Chinese temple.

So you can imagine my delight when I saw one in Padang (which also has a few large churches). And like all Chinese temples, red is the main color. Unsurprisingly, it's located in an area with many Chinese clan associations.

When I walked into the temple and looked around I attracted some attention.

"Are you from Japan?" an elderly man asked me.

From Lake Toba to Bali most people asked me if I were from Japan or Malaysia but never Singapore. I don't think I look like a Japanese at all.