South East Asian Trips

Penang needs little introduction to many visitors to Malaysia, having long been known as one of Southeast Asia's finest destinations. Penang's outstanding beaches and exotic sights have made it one of the most popular destinations in the region.

Temple in Penang As fabulous as its beaches are, some of Penang's deeper mysteries should also be experienced. According to local folklore, the Snake Temple, dedicated to a Buddhist healer-priest, was inhabited by snakes who crawled out of the jungle on the night of the temple's completion. The snakes are still there today. The Kek Lok Si temple, at Air Itam, is reputed to be the most beautiful and largest temple complex in Southeast Asia. Its seven-story pagoda, over 90 feet high, is a harmonious blend of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architecture and craftsmanship.

Other worthwhile stops are the delightful Penang Bird Park, the romantic peak of Penang Hill, Fort Cornwallis, the site of Light's first landing, and the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve (crisscrossed with beautiful trails leading to isolated beaches). A trek through the reserve's interior reveals rare flora, monkeys chattering in the trees, sea eagles surveying their prey, and maybe a glimpse of a Hawksbill turtle heading for the sea. Some hotels organize early morning treks through the forest.

History

Penang was established by Francis Light in 1786 as the first British trading post in the Far East. Light persuaded the Sultan of Kedah to cede Pulau Pinang ("Island of the Betel Nut") to the British in exchange for military assistance.

The island was originally named Prince of Wales Island and the settlement that soon grew up was named Georgetown after King George III. In 1800, the Sultan of Kedah further ceded a strip of land on the mainland across the channel, which Light named Province Wellesley, after the then Governor of India.

In 1832, Penang formed part of the Straits Settlement with Malacca and Singapore. It flourished and grew to be a major trading post for a lucrative trade in tea, spices, china and cloth.

Penang remained under the British Colonial rule until 1957, when it gained independence under the Federation of Malaya. It was briefly occupied by the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. In 1963, Penang became part of Malaysia when Sabah and Sarawak came into the group.

Climate

Penang has an equatorial climate with uniform temperature throughout the year. Humidity is high and total annual rainfall is around 250 cm. August to November are the wettest months.

Best Time to Visit

Since August to November are the wettest months, it is better to avoid Penang during this time of the year. The period between December and February is pretty dry and is an ideal time to visit Penang.

Shopping

Shopping in Penang is great fun. There are number of shopping avenues from modern air-conditioned complexes to quaint old shops where you can get rare antiques and collectibles. Colourful open-air bazaars, and the night markets or pasar malam are a must visit at Penang.

The main shopping areas are concentrated in Julan Penang, Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Kapitan Kling, Lebuh Chulia, and Lebuh Panti.

Penang is an antique lover's paradise. Here, one can find a myriad collection of goods ranging from exotic curios, jewellery, souvenirs, clothing, fabric like batik, pewters, vases, ashtrays, baskets, mats, and other handicrafts to the latest electronic gadgets.

Historical Attractions

Fort Cornwallis

This 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 labour, in 1804. Today, an open-air amphitheatre, a history gallery, and a handicraft and souvenir centre occupies the interior. Fort Cornwallis also houses a famous Dutch cannon that in some way or another has been associated with virtually every shift in political alliances on the Peninsula since the early 17th century. The cannon arrived on the Peninsula in 1606 as a present from the Dutch to the Sultan of Johor. Only a few years later the Dutch cannon was taken by the Achenese in a raid on Johor's capital. At the beginning of the nineteenth century the cannon was sent to by the Achenese to Kuala Selangor in hopes of establishing an alliance with the Bugis. The cannon's last move, from Kuala Selangor to Penang, followed the British bombardment on Kuala Selangor in 1871. Opening Hours: 8.30am - 7.00pm Admission: RM 1 per person.

Penang Hill

The hills of Penang--Western Hill, Tiger Hill, Strawberry Hill, and others--have long been popular refuges from the heat of the low-lying city. As the funicular railway proceeds along its half-hour climb of the hill, a broad panoramic view of Georgetown slowly unfolds. The view from Flagstaff Hill, at the top of the line, is a lovely way to watch night descend over the island. The train leaves the station at Air Itam at 6.30am and at every half an hour. Trainfare Adults: RM3, Children: RM1.50.

For those who enjoy a vigorous walk or fear a funicular ride, there is a very good walking track up the hill. It takes about four hours and should not be undertaken frivolously. The jungle trail begins at the moongate at Waterfall Road, about 300m from the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

The wave of Chinese immigration to Penang during the nineteenth century gave rise to the formation of clan formations, or kongsi, which served as surrogate kinship and professional associations for immigrants who had left behind family and friends. A multitude of kongsi arose in Penang, and each organization constructed a hall to serve as the locus of its community. The Khoo Kongsi is the most famous example of these halls, having been designed with such magnificence that it was said to rival the palace of China's emperor. Whether by misfortune or because such a resemblance was viewed as an offence, the original Khoo Kongsi burnt to the ground almost as soon as it was completed. The present structure was built as a scaled down version of that original, though it is an extraordinarily impressive structure nonetheless. The building features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood, each bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China. Opening Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm (Monday to Friday), 9.00am 1.00pm (Saturdays) Permission to enter must be obtained from the Kongsi office.

Religious Attractions

Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple

This Buddhist temple of Thai architecture houses a magnificent gold-plated reclining Buddha that is said to be the third largest in the world. The niches behind the statue house urns containing the ashes of devotees. Admission is free.

Patterened after a typical Bangkok wat, Wat Chayamangkalaram, Penang is an astonishing example of Thai Buddhist architecture. The Temple is also known as the "The Temple of the Reclining Buddha" as it boasts of a gold-plated reclining statue of Buddha measuring over 100 feet in length, which is the third largest reclining Buddha in the world.

The floor of the temple is embellished with tiles of lotus patterns. Lotus has got its symbolic significance; it is an important symbol in Buddhism. The interiors are decorated with ornaments and floral carvings painted in gold and rainbow colors. Apart from the main statue of Buddha there are a few thousand Buddha in the temple, fitted in the walls of the temple.

Every year the temple celebrates the Thai New Year, Wesak Day, Merit Making Day and the anniversary consecration of the statue. You do not have to pay to enter the temple as admission is free.

You have to follow certain rules in the temple; for example you have to take off your shoes before entering the temple, you cannot wear cap in the temple premises as it shows disrespect to the Buddha and if you plan to take pictures then you have to turn off your flash.

Snake Temple

Probably the only temple of its kind in the world. The multitude of pit vipers coiled around objects on the altar are believed to be rendered harmless by the smoke of the burning incense in the temple. Just for good measure, the snakes have also been devenomed. Admission is free; bravery should be obtained in advance.

Snake Temple, Penang is situated in the town of Bavan Lepas, it was built in the year 1850 as a tribute to the Buddhist monk Chor Soo Kong who came to Penang. The temple attracts thousands of devotees form Singapore and Taiwan on the birthday of Chor Soo Kong. The temple received its name from the legend that the monk gave shelter to some snakes and after the completion of the temple the snakes moved in.

In front of the temple there is a large incense burner and the main prayer hall, throughout the day is filled with smoke of burning incense. The reason behind this is that according to some people snakes become paralyzed by the smoke of incense. The temple boasts of many poisonous snakes, however, they not known to bite. The snakes are referred to as 'officers' of the deity by the devotees and are considered as holy and harmless.

There is a snake pool at the behind the Snake temple, but then the pool is not filled with water but with fruit trees. You can see snakes coiled on the branches of the tree in the pool. People generally consider the snakes as friendly, they use to live in the jungles of Penang and as a result of development in Penang that involved cutting of trees, the snakes took refuge in the temple. They are regarded as the guardian spirits of the temple.

Kek Lok Si

Kek Lok Si is reputedly the largest Buddhist temple complex in South-East Asia. The temple is also widely-known for the beauty of its design, which incorporates elements of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architecture. Kek Lok Si is dominated by the seven-tiered pagoda of Ban Po Thar, which is dedicated to the Boddhisattva Tsi Tsuang Wang, who declined to enter nirvana after enlightenment in order that he might assist others along the path.

St George's Church

Built with convict labor in 1818, this stately Anglican colonial church is one of the oldest landmarks in the city. The entrance features a memorial canopy dedicated to Captain Francis Light, who is buried in the adjoining ceremony.

Sri Mariamman Temple

This Hindi temple, built in the late nineteenth century, features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its entrance and on its facade. Housed within its ornately decorated interior is a priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam, embellished with gold, silver, diamonds, and emeralds. 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.

Museums and Galleries

Penang Museum and Art Gallery

Located at Lebuh Farquhar, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery houses old photographs, maps, charts and historical relics. It was built in 1821 and was formerly the Penang Free School. Opens: 9am-5pm (Daily) On Fridays, closed between 12.15pm -2.45pm

Parks and Gardens

Penang Bird Park

They occupies a generous landscaped site in Seberang Jaya. Within its beautifully-designed aviaries are over four hundred species of birds from all over the world. Man-made islands with cascades, gardens, and ornamental plants abound. The park also contains a wide variety of orchids and hibiscus plants. Entrance Fee: Adults: RM4.00, Children: RM2 00 Open: 10am-6pm (Daily)

Orchid and Hibiscus Garden

This intimate park at Bukit Jambul includes the Orchid and Hibiscus Garden and a Reptile Farm. Attractions include an ornamental Japanese pond, a cacti garden, a pottery corner, a deer park, and cascades.

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Park

Located approximately 18 km from Butterworth ferry terminal, this park covers a wide area of hilly terrain that ascends several hundred meters above sea level. Its cool hill air encourages a profusion of ferns, ephiphytes and wild flowers, as well as exotic butterflies, birds and insects. For the adventurous, there are numerous jungle tracks leading to the heart of the forest.

Penang Butterfly Farm

Located at Teluk Bahang, the Butterfly Farm has hundreds of species of butterflies and insects amidst landscaped tropical gardens. Opens daily from 9am to 5pm Entrance Fee: RM4

Botanical Garden

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, the garden's first superintendent. Curtis collected botanical specimens from the surrounding hills--specimens which have since become significant samples in the world's major herbaria. The gardens are also well-known for their bold Rhesus monkeys. Admission: Free. Opening Hours: 7.00 am - 7.00pm.