Penang Museum and Art Gallery Lebuh Farquhar
Built in 1821, the Museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps,
charts and other historical relics. There are also Malay daggers (Keris),
Chinese furniture, embroidery and paintings of old Penang. The Art Gallery on
the first floor displays the works of local artists and is the venue for
special exhibitions. The statue of Captain Francis Light graces the grounds in
front of the buildings.
Opening hours: Daily from 9 am-5 pm, Friday from 9 am-12.15 pm &
2.45 pm-5 pm. Entrance fee: RM1.00.
Acheen Street Mosque, Lebuh Acheen
Also known as Masjid Melayu, the mosque was built on land donated by Syed
Sheriff Tengku Syed Hussain Aidid who came from Acheh in Sumatera. The 1820
mosque features a small window halfway up the minaret which is said to have
originally been a hole made by a cannonball fired during the 1867 triad riots.
Permission to enter must be obtained from mosque officials.
Kapitan Keling Mosque,
Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
It was named after the Indian Muslim merchant, the "Kapitan Keling"
(headman) Caudeer Mohudeen who built it in the early 19th century. It features
an ocher yellow fa?ade and dome-shaped minaret reflecting Moorish Islamic
influence.
Permission to enter must be obtained from mosque officials.
Sri Mariamman Temple, Lebuh Queen
The temple, built in 1883, features fascinating sculptures of gods and
goddesses over its main entrance and on its fa?ade. Housed within its ornately
decorated interior is priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam embellished with
gold, silver, diamonds and emerald. The statue figures prominently in the
annual Thaipusam festival when it is borne on a silver chariot through the
city streets to the temple at Jalan Waterfall.
Opening hours: Morning to late evening.
Permission to enter must be obtained from temple officials.
St George's Church, Lebuh Farquhar
Built with convict labor in 1818, it is one of the oldest landmarks in the
city. The entrance of this stately Anglican Church named after the patron
saint of England, features a memorial canopy dedicated to Captain Francis
Light.
Goddess of Mercy Temple, Jalan Kapitan Keling
One of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang, the Kuan Yin Teng or the Goddess
of Mercy Temple was built in 1800 by early immigrant settlers from China. The
building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and stone sculptured
lions which are said to be its guardians. The temple is flocked by pilgrims
and followers all year round especially during the three anniversaries of Kuan
Yin which are on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar month.
Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon
The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as
a clan-house for members of the Khoo family. It was burnt down in 1894 and
some believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace. A
scaled down version was later built in 1902. The building features a
magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented
beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.
Opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday & 9 am - 1 pm,
Saturday.
Permission to enter must be obtained from the Kongsi officials.
City Hall, Esplanade
Built in the 1880s, this stately colonial building is a fine example of
British Palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and
huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.
Clock Tower, Pesara King Edward
Towering 60 feet high, the clock tower was presented to Penang by local
millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen
Victoria.
China Town
China Town on the island stretches from Weld Quay to Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh
Muntri, Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh King. China Town is so large and
well-preserved that you will sense and feel the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant
settlers who came here in the 1800s. Visitors will be intrigued by the many
clanhouses, shophouses and temples found along these streets, which reflect
the heritage left behind. Stepping into these streets will certainly take you
back in time.
Nagore Shrine, Lebuh King
Constructed in the early 1880s, the shrine is a memorial to the Caliph, Syed
Shahul Hamid. Faithful devotees may be seen visiting the shrine to seek favors
on Thursday.
University of Science Malaysia's (USM) Museum and
Art Gallery, Minden
The museum houses a collection of artifacts on Malay and Nyonya cultures,
textiles, prints, traditional jewelry and daggers (Keris). One section is
devoted to the performing arts. The art gallery has a fine collection of
paintings.
Opening hours: 10 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday (closed between 12:15
- 2:45 pm on Friday), 10 am - 1 pm on Saturday.
Permission to visit should be obtained from the security guards at the main
gate.
Fort Cornwallis, Lebuh Light
The fort was built on the site of Francis Light's historic landing in 1786.
Originally a wooden stockade, it was replaced by a concrete structure built by
convict labor, in 1804. Today, an open-air amphitheater, a history gallery and
a handicraft and souvenir center occupies the interior. It houses the famous
Dutch cannon presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch and which finally
found its way to Penang after being looted by the Portuguese.
Opening hours: 8:30 am - 7 pm, Admission: RM 1.00 per person.
Snake Temple
Built in 1850 and dedicated to the deity Chor Soo Kong, the temple is located
3.2 km from the Penang International Airport. It is a sanctuary for pit-vipers
said to be the 'servants' of the deity. These poisonous snakes, seen coiled
round the pillars, beams and potted plants within the temple are believed to
be rendered harmless by the smoke of the burning incense.
Admission is free.
State Mosque, Jalan Masjid Negeri
The state Mosque features elegant modern architecture and took four years to
complete. It can accommodate 5,000 worshippers for congregational prayers and
is usually packed on Friday. Permission to enter must be obtained from the
State Religious Department, Lebuh Pantai. Visitors must dress appropriately
and remove their shoes before entering.
Komtar, Jalan Penang
The Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, a prominent Penang landmark, houses Government
departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants. The
65-story complex also contains theaters, squash courts and a geodesic dome
which serves as a multi-purpose hall, while the 55th floor offers a panoramic
view of the city and on clear days, also of Gunung Jerai in Kedah.
Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam
One of the finest Buddhist temples in South East Asia, the Kek Lok Si temple
stands majestically on a hill in Ayer Itam. Built in tiers, the temple
culminates with the beautifully crafted "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas".
Taking more than 20 years to build, the temple is set against beautiful scenic
surroundings. It features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful
sculptures.
Opening hours: Early morning to late evening, Admission is free.
Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, Lorong Burma
A pair of elephants guards the entrance to this Burmese temple. Within the
pagoda ground is a Boddhi tree and a wishing pond. It is the scene of many
festivities during the water festival in April.
Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, Lorong Burma
The Buddhist temple of Thai architecture houses a 33-meter gold-plated
reclining Buddha - said to be one of the longest in the world. The niches
behind the statue house urns containing the ashes of devotees.
Admission is free.
P. Ramlee's House
Situated along Jalan P. Ramlee (formerly Caunterhall Road), is the newly
restored wooden house, to commemorate the late P. Ramlee, Malaysia's foremost
entertainer. Originally built in 1926 by his father and uncle, the house had
previously undergone successive repairs before being taken over by the
National Archives as an extension of its P. Ramlee Memorial project in Kuala
Lumpur. The display within and outside the house features the main living
areas and also the life history of the late singer, actor, composer, and
director. The various artifacts include his personal memorabilia related to
his life in Penang and also items belonging to his family.
Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm, closed on Monday. Admission is free.
Pinang Cultural Center
Pinang Cultural Center operates 3 cultural tours daily, 9:30 am - 12 pm, 4:30
pm - 7 pm, 6 pm - 10 pm (dinner show). The cultural tour, which lasts for 2
hours 30 minutes, is a window to the Malaysian culture.
In each of these guided tours, visitors get to see - a demonstration of
traditional welcoming ceremony, Malay martial arts, traditional games,
handicraft making, a longhouse, an exhibition on heritage and a 45-minute
cultural show featuring dances from all over Malaysia.
Penang Bridge
The Penang Bridge, which links Penang Island and the mainland, was officially
opened on 15th September 1988. The spectacularly beautiful bridge spans 13.5
km across the channel, offering a beautiful view of the open sea, ships and
the sprawling coastline.
Nattukkotai Temple, Jalan Air Terjun
The temple is dedicated to the deity, Bala Subramaniam, and features
prominently during the annual Thaipusam festival when thousands of devotees
throng its premises for the various rites and ceremonies.
Opening hours: Early morning to late evening.
Permission to enter must be obtained from temple officials.
Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden
The Bukit Jambul Orchid & Hibiscus Garden and Reptile House are located
along Persiaran Bukit Jambul, close to the Hotel Equatorial; only a leisurely
5-minute drive away from the Penang International Airport.
Opening hours: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Entrance fee: RM 4.00 for adults & RM 1.00 for children.
Balik Pulau
The hills of Balik Pulau abound with clove and nutmeg trees which bear fruit
in November-January and July. Or savor the durian, a seasonal fruit which is
the luscious king of fruits.
Butterfly Farm, Teluk Bahang
The Farm spans 0.8 hectares and is home to 3,000 living specimens of over 50
species of colorful butterflies, frogs, scorpions, and other insects.
It features a lily pond, artificial waterfalls, a rock garden, tunnel and a
bubbling mud pool. Also included within the farm are a garden enclosure,
breeding area, laboratory, exhibition area, souvenir shops and information
center.
Opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Entrance fee: RM 5.00 for adults & RM 2.00 for children, RM 10.00
for adult foreigners & RM 5.00 for children-foreigners.
Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens offer peace and tranquility amidst lush green
surroundings, tropical plants and the vibrant colors of Penang's flora. The
30-hectare garden also features a waterfall. Created in 1884 by the British,
it was meant as a tribute to Charles Curtis, its first superintendent who
collected botanical specimens from the surrounding hills - specimens which
have since become significant samples in the world's major herbariums. The
gardens are also well-known for their bold Rhesus monkeys.
Opening hours: 7 am - 7 pm, Admission is free.
Penang's Famed Beaches
Penang's northern shoreline is famous for its beautiful beaches of golden sand
and deep blue seas. The Tanjung Bunga, Buta Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang beaches
offer expansive stretches of glittering sand interspersed with secluded coves
within the shelter of gigantic rocks. It is along this famous coastline that
resorts of international standard have sprouted up, offering a host of
water-based recreational facilities.
If you crave for privacy, head for Teluk Duyung, Monkey Beach, Pantai
Keracut and Pantai Mas accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh Forest
Reserve from Teluk Bahang. The Pasir Panjang Beach at the south-western tip of
the island is a good clean stretch for swimming and can be reached after a
25-minute hike over hilly land from Betong.
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
Malaysia's first hill station, Penang Hill is 380 meters (2730 ft) above sea
level, visitors can ascend to the top by either hiking up or by the funicular
railway which has been operational since 1922. Apart from the cool, refreshing
climate and the fantastic view at the summit, visitors can also view the
picturesque bungalows, a beautiful flower garden and a bird park. There are
bungalows for rent and a hotel for those who want to stay for more than a day.
Visitors can also indulge in refreshments and snacks at a convenient tea kiosk
located on top of the hill. There is a good walking track up the hill. It
takes 4 hours to reach the top and is recommended only for the more energetic.
The jungle trail begins at the "moongate" at Jalan Air Terjun,
approximately 300 m from the Botanical Gardens entrance.
The funicular rail service begins at 6:30 am and ends at 9:30 pm.
Entrance fee: RM 4.00 for adults & RM 2.00 for children.
Kampung Seronok, Batu Maung
The name "Kampung Seronok" originated form a suggestion by an
English engineer, D.W. Grehan who had, on a number of occasions, shared in the
joy and merrymaking of the kampong folk, in the days shortly after the
Japanese surrender. What makes it unique is the fact that it is virtually
'open' to visitors who are free to observe and participate in the various
cultural activities, traditional games and rural economic pursuits of the
people, showcasing the intrinsic values of traditional village life.
Batu Maung Fishing Village
Batu Maung is a small fishing village at the south-eastern tip of the island,
which owes its fame to the beach-front shrine dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho,
the famous Chinese admiral who featured prominently in the history of the
Malacca Sultanate. The huge footprint in the vicinity of the shrine is said to
be that of the Admiral.
Penang Bird Park, Seberang Jaya
The park spans 5 acres and houses a fine collection of some 800 birds from all
over the world. It is beautifully landscaped and features a walk-in aviary,
pond with ducks and swans, ornamental ponds abounding with water lilies,
Japanese Carps and ornamental plants.
Opening hours: 9am - 7 pm, Entrance fee: RM 5.00 for adult & RM
2.00 for children.
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