Founded in 1645 by the Chinese Kapitan Tay Kie Ki (Tay Hong Yong) during the Dutch colonial era, Cheng Hoon Teng is the oldest functioning temple in Malaysia. For centuries, it served a dual purpose: as a premier place of worship and as the administrative center and court of justice for the local Chinese community under the Kapitan system. The temple is unique for its syncretic practice of the Three Doctrinal Systems—Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Its name, which translates to "Temple of Green Clouds," reflects its spiritual aspiration for peace and harmony. In 2003, the temple received a UNESCO Award for Merit for its outstanding architectural restoration, which utilized traditional materials and techniques to preserve its 17th-century grandeur.