Mystery surrounds this colorful multi-tiered Chinese temple with some historians saying it dates back to the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It is commonly believed that a shrine was founded at this site by Chinese seafarers after they spotted a light reflecting from a cave, which they used as a makeshift lighthouse for navigation. The temple was built some time later, mainly for the use of Chinese pilgrims. Ko Si Chang was occupied by the French in 1893 and was the summer retreat of several Siamese kings, including King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) whose wondrous teak palace was moved in 1901 from Ko Si Chang to its present location in Dusit Park in Bangkok. The island is also home to a rare species of white squirrel.