With a large Chinese community living in Penang since more than a century ago, it is built with many buildings of Chinese architecture especially Penang island. One of the main buildings with Chinese architecture are none other than the temples. Not only that it is visited by Penangites for prayers and religious events, but it attracts many travelers to visit these spots.
Find out some of the popular Chinese temples in Penang.
Kek Lok Si Temple
It is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, with different sections that forms the whole complex. Other than the temple halls that are for prayers and religious events, there are also tourists attraction spots, gardens, food stalls and souvenir shops.
The pagoda located at the mid-section is also one of the popular attraction within the temple complex. Also known as Ban Po Thar, the pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown (spiral dome); reflecting the temple’s amalgam of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
Location: Jalan Balik Pulau, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang.
Goddess of Mercy Temple
The Goddess of Mercy Temple or more commonly known as the Kuan Yin Temple is one of the oldest temple in Penang. Founded in 1728 and subsequently renovated to what it is today, the temple is dedicated to honour the Goddess of Mercy.
Built with a traditional Chinese architecture, it features sweeping roofs typical of Chinese temples, gigantic doors adorned with paintings of Taoist and Buddhist deities and dragon-entwined pillars to support the roof.
Location: 30, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang.
Snake Temple
The snake temple is one of the unique temples in Malaysia, as it has various species of resident snakes living in the space. It was believed that Chor Soo Kong, a Buddhist priest gave shelter to the snakes while the temple is still under construction.
Although snakes may sound scary to some, those that are living in the temple are totally not dangerous. Most of them are kept in transparent tanks and are defanged. In fact, some of the snakes have been a attraction with visitors are allowed to hold in and snap some photos.
Location: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Hean Boo Thean Temple
Hean Boo Thean Temple is also another that is built to honour the Goddess of Mercy. The uniqueness of this temple is that it is perched above the waters at Weld Quay, near to the Clan Jetties.
It is is located immediately after Yeoh Jetty and can be viewed from Chew Jetty, Tan Jetty, Tan Jetty Reclaimed Land, and Yeoh Jetty.
Location: 52A, Reclamation Area, Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 Penang.
Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple
Located at Tanjong Tokong, the temple is one of the oldest Tua Pek Kong temple in Penang. The temple is built to venerate the deified form of Zhang Li, a mid 18th century scholar of Hakka descent.
According to the history, when Zhang Li was enroute to Sumatra, the boat that he was onboard was blown off course and ended up in Penang, which they have settled and established a Chinese settlement.
If you’re around during the 14th day of the Chinese New Year, you’ve got to visit the temple as it organises one of the biggest celebrations there. They will have their annual flame watching ritual, called ‘Chneah Hoay’, which the elders will read the divine from the flame that tells the coming year’s fortune.
Location: Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong, Tanjong Tokong, 11200 Penang.
Thean Hou Temple
Built by the Hainanese, Thean Hou temple is dedicated to Mazu, the sea goddess. The temple is founded in 1866 and it is embellished with exquisite stone carvings executed in the Sung dynasty style. The stonework and architecture that we see today is the work of craftsmen from China who were employed to remodel the temple in 1995, in conjunction with the centenary of its completion.
Location: 93, Lebuh Muntri, 10450 George Town, Penang.
Tow Boo Kong Temple
Located in Butterworth, the Tow Boo Kong temple is one of the biggest temple over in the mainland of Penang. The temple was started under a small attap shed back in 1971 to venerate Dou Mu, the mother to the Nine Emperor Gods. Subsequently, the committee manage to raise funds to purchase the land and built a beautiful temple architecture on it.
Location: 894 & 896, MK14, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang.
