The Kun Iam Temple (Temple of the Goddess of Mercy), also known as "Pou Chai Sim Yun", is the most famous and impressive among the three ancient temples in Macau (the other two are the A-Ma Temple and Lin Fung Temple).

The original temple was built over 600 years ago, and since then there have been many additions to the temple complex dedicated to this Goddess. Built in the Buddhist architectural tradition of the peasant plumes style, the Kun Iam Temple is composed of a main temple, prayer halls, shrines, courtyards and pavilions.

The Kun Iam Hall is the main hall of the temple. Dressed in embroidered silk with a fringed crown, the statue of Kun Iam, the Goddess , stands in the center of the prayer hall, flanked by 18 arhats which are exquisitely carved with great craftsmanship so that they have a lifelike appearance. The arhats, with their round eyes, high-bridged noses and curly hair, look very much like westerners. It is said that they are based on Marco Polo, a Venetian who studied and practiced the theory of Buddhism when he was in China. In adjoining rooms are funeral chapels and scrolls honoring Kun Iam in pictures and calligraphy.

Near the Kun Iam Hall is a courtyard, which has a potted landscape garden incorporating a lotus pond. The shape is unique and has survived many years. Its branches have been interwoven to form the Chinese character for Longevity. Legends have it that by touching this word , Buddhist devotees could live up to one hundred years.

At the back of this temple is a terraced garden. Inside, there is a granite table with four benches, where the first Sino-American "Wong Ha (Wangxia) Treaty" was signed in 1844 between the United States and China.

There is also a huge banyan tree over a hundred years old called the "tree with branches interlocked" which translated says:"We wish to fly to heaven, as two birds with wings of one. And to grow together on earth, two branches of one tree". It was said at the beginning of the construction of the temple that a couple of lovers, whose marriage was opposed by both their families, committed suicide in desperation. Later, a banyan tree with interwoven branches grew up, symbolizing the everlasting love between the lovers.

The festival of Kun Iam is celebrated on the 19th day of the second, sixth, ninth and 11th lunar months of every year. On these days worshippers come to the temple with joss sticks and candles to burn at the hall.