From
7 December to 13 December in 2013 I was staying in Penang, Malaysia,
which was the first stop of my travel in this country. From the
railway station of Butterworth I left the train No 35 and I took a
ferry to arrive the jetty of Penang Island.
Brief
information about Penang:
The
name “Penang”
comes
from the modern Malay name “Pulau Pinang” and it may refer to
either to the island of Penang or the state of Penang. The capital of
the Penang state is called George Town, the inner city of which is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. This article is about my experience in
Penang Island, which
is located on the Northwest coast of Malaysian Peninsula by the
Strait of Malacca.
Things
to see and do in Penang:
(1)
Kek Lok Si Temple
The
Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in South-East Asia.
It began construction in 1890 and houses a 7-storey handcrafted
“Pagoda of ten thousand Buddhas” and a 30.2m bronze Kuan Yin
Statue.
(2)
Penang Hill
Penang
Hill is about 830m above sea level. There are two ways of getting to
the top: hiking or travelling in a funicular train. At the summit,
you can have a panoramic view of the city and also can visit a flower
garden, a mini bird park and an owl museum, etc.
(3)
Floating Mosque
The
Floating Mosque is Malaysia's first floating mosque at the sea. It
features a blend of local and Middle Eastern architecture with a
seven-storey minaret.
Tip:
Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill and Floating Mosque are near to each
other. The ideal visit order is Kek Lok Si Temple first, then Penang
Hill and Floating Mosque and having dinner at Strait Quay nearby.
(4)
St George's Church
St
George's
Church was
built between 1817 and 1818. It's said to be the oldest Anglican
church in Southeast Asia.
(5) Goddess of Mercy Temple
Goddess
of Mercy Temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The
first foundation was laid in 1728 by Chinese settlers and completed
in 1800.
(6)
Teochew Temple
The
Teochew Temple is a prime example of Teochew architecture. The temple
was built in 1855 and moved into its present site in 1870. in 2006,
the temple received the Award of the Merit UNESCO Asia-Pacific for
Culture Heritage Conservation.
(7)
Clan Jetties
The
Clan Jetties are located along the Weld Quay. They were built during
the 19th century over the sea on stilts and are connected
by wooden walkways. They were and still are home to families of
traders, fishermen and dock workers.
Tip:
You can take free shuttle bus to visit St George's Church, Goddess of
Mercy Temple, Teochew Temple and Clan Jetties. From the Tanjong City
Marina, also known as the Church Street Pier, you can see the famous
Penang Bridge, which is the main link between Penang Island and the
mainland of Peninsular Malaysia.
