Welcome to Penang (Penang Tourism TVC)

Penang Ferry

Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. Located in the state of Penang, this famous ferry service connects Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth to Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal at Weld Quay in George Town in Penang Island. The ferries are designed for vehicles to roll-on/roll-off. Some board pedestrian passengers on the upper deck and small vehicles (cars) on the lower deck, whereas some board vehicles on both decks.

The benches for passengers on the upper decks have pivoting backs that can be flipped back and forth so passengers can sit facing in the direction of travel regardless of which way the ferry is going.

Ferries from Penang International Airport depart in George Town, located some 16 km / 9.9 miles distance from the airport. A regular bus service operates between the airport and city centre locations, as well as the bus terminal in Victoria Street, which is near the main Ferry Weld Quay

KOMTAR Penang

KOMTAR is located in central Georgetown, along the north-south Jalan Penang and east-west Jalan Magazine. The 65-storey high-rise and mall is one of the most prominent landmarks in Penang with a viewing deck on the 58th floor offering views of the island and across the straits to Penang’s mainland.

The cylindrical skyscraper is the sixth-tallest building in Malaysia and Penang’s tallest structure. It towers over Georgetown’s western corner, a section of town unofficially known as Chinatown since it is dominated by clusters of shuttered two-storey shop-houses and kongsis (clan houses) that have stood here in a variety of forms since the late 18th century.

 

Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple in Penang

Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple is the largest Thai temple in Penang. Set just off Jalan Burma (on the way to Batu Ferringhi), the yellow-and-blue temple is also known as Wat Buppharam. Built in 1845, it is home to a 108ft-long reclining Buddha image, said to be the third largest in the world.

Draped in a gold-leafed saffron robe, the sprawling statue was erected as a monument to signify Buddha’s final resting position at his death and symbolizes his detachment from worldly matters. Located opposite the less extravagant Dharmmikarama Temple (which lights up beautifully at night) Wat Chaiya Mangakalaram Temple is a beautiful sight with ornate, gold pagodas, and mural-painted walls.

History of Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple

Spread across five acres of land (which was gifted by Queen Victoria to the Thai community as a gesture of goodwill to bolster trading relations with Thailand) Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple was originally led by a Thai Theravada Buddhist monk, Phortan Kuat.

Also known as the ‘Powerful Monk’, he was very much adored by his congregation: to this day, his devotees bring bowls of asam laksa (coconut-based sour gravy noodles) to his shrine to honour him.

Design of Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple

Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple is designed in typical Thai-style with sharp-eaved roofs and flamboyant ceilings. The temple entrance is set off by a statue of a naga (a Southeast Asian water dragon), while the exit is marked by a Chinese dragon (the East Asian equivalent).

These serpents lay coiled around the feet of two grim green-faced statues carrying hefty swords that flank the entryway: supposedly the statues were designed to ward off unwanted visitors.

Reclining Buddha

The reclining Buddha statue at Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple is surrounded by elaborate images of a gold-leaf covered Buddha in different poses. Each pose is supposed to signify different things: Buddhists believe that the reclining Buddha, for example, (with his head resting in the palm of the right hand and his head pointing northwards) signifies enlightenment or Nirvana.

Around the outstretched giant Buddha sculpture are a series of hand-painted gold 3D images detailing Gautama Buddha’s story. Interesting fact: underneath the lounging Buddha are slots where urns containing the ashes of deceased devotees are stored.

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 Daily

Location: Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus, Georgetown

 

Penang Bridge

Penang Bridge may not be an official sightseeing spot in Penang but it is the sight that greets most visitors to the island. A 13.5km-long suspension bridge that connects the island to the mainland at Seberang Perai, it is considered a Penang landmark, with locals comparing it to London Bridge.

Also known as Jambatan Pulau Pianng, before it was opened the only way to get to the mainland was via ferry: today the causeway is one of the busiest freeways in the country. The longest bridge in Malaysia and the fourth-longest in Southeast Asia, it is a toll bridge, with fees paid only when heading to the island. The only time it closes is for the annual Penang Bridge International Marathon.

 

Nine Emperor Gods Temple in Penang

The Nine Emperor Gods Temple is one of the largest temples in Butterworth. Dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods of Taoist mores, it has gone through several makeovers over the years. It started out as a small attap shed on a rented plot of land in 1971 and was completed in 2000, at a cost of RM7 million.

The Nine Emperor Gods, believed to dwell in the stars, are the sons of Father Emperor Zhou Yu Dou Fu Yuan Jun and Mother of the Big Dipper Dou Mu Yuan Jun (Queen of Heaven). Their popularity has declined since being exported out of the southern provinces of China but in Penang there is a small group who still pay homage to these Nine Emperor Gods Festival

Also known as Rumah Berhala Tow Boo Kong, the elaborate temple is never busier than during the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Taking place on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, this is when the spirits of the Nine Emperor Gods descend from the stars to earth and possess mediums, putting them in a trance.

The nine-day celebration (somewhat similar to Thaipusam) sees devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, awaiting the ‘arrival’ of the nine Gods. Some worshippers in a religious fervour practice flagellation and self-mutilation, displaying their dedication by fire walking, skewing their cheeks with sharp objects (including nine-metre spears). The celebration reaches its climax on the ninth day with a procession to send the deities back home, from the Nine Emperor Gods Temple to the beachfront.

An ornate structure north of the Jalan Raja Uda and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, Nine Emperor Gods Temple has curving pagodas and a dramatic roof with golden dragon statues. Since many devotees are vegetarians for the duration of the festival, within the temple, stalls will set up to sell vegetarian food. Sitting on reclaimed land facing the sea, it is easily accessible via the Jelutong Expressway: from here you drive to the Harbour Trade Centre and then turn right. The Nine Emperor Gods Temple is at the end of the road on your left.

Opening Hours: Daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays: 7 am to 9 pm

Address: On Lot 894 & 896, Mukim 14, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia

Tel: +604-331 8717

 

St. Anne’s Church in Penang

St. Anne’s Church is best known as the centre of pilgrimage for the annual St. Anne’s Feast in Malaysia. It started out as a small chapel built by visiting priest Fr. Adolphe Couellan in 1846. Today it is a sprawling complex, able to seat up to 1,800, with beautiful stained glass windows.

Named after St. Anne (mother of the Virgin Mary), the celebrations held here in July every year for St. Anne’s Feast draw Roman Catholics from all over Peninsular Malaysia, bringing the generally sleepy town of Bukit Mertajam to life. The event culminates with two nights of candlelit procession with devotees singing hymns as they walk on and around the church grounds.