Sights

Wat Chayamangkalaram

A Buddhist temple of Thai architecture on a 5-acre site, it houses the world's third largest reclining Buddha which measures 33 metres. Behind the statue are niches where urns containing the ashes of the dead are stored. A nine-storey pagoda approximately 165 feet high and reputed to be the highest such structure in the country is found on the site. There are also statues of gigantic `naga' serpents, mystical creatures that link earth to heaven, from the balustrades at the entrance to the meditation hall. Admission is free. Photography is not permitted within the temple.

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address:	Burmah Lane

Penang State Museum

The museum was officially opened on 14 April 1965. In the same year, the art gallery was added to the Museum. The Museum hosts archive and artifacts that are state treasures. Outstanding amongst these are eight of the ten original oil paintings executed by Captain Robert Smith (the remaining two being in a private collection). Other artifacts of note include extensive collections of Baba Nyonya porcelain, furniture, jewellery and costumes that are unsurpassed in their artistic beauty and historical value.

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openinghours:	daily from 9.00am - 5.00pm

Penang bridge

The bridge is cable stayed, 13.5 km long, 8.5 km over water, the rest consisting of a viaduct on the island side with a flyover on the mainland. Longest in Asia, reputedly third longest in the world. The island end of the bridge begins near the University at Gelugor and the mainland end at Seberang Jaya. Toll is payable. Visitors not permitted to stop along bridge.

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KOMTAR

komtar night scence
photo by: pig gallery

KOMTAR is a 65 storey tower atop a 4-storey podium block. Tallest in SE Asia, it houses all government departments, prime commercial space with civic and recreational facilities. KOMTAR is stragetically situated in the heart of the city on a 11 hectare site.

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Fort Cornwallis and King Edward Circus Clock Tower

Originally a wooden structure, it was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 by convict labour. Protruding from the fort's rampart are cannons retrieved by the British from pirates who had captured them from the Johore Sultanate.The main cannon 'Seri Rambau' is said to date back to 1613 and, according to local belief, childless women can conceive by placing flowers in its barrel and offering special prayers.The fort is also used as an amphitheatre.

The 60 foot clock tower built at the entrance to the the fort was presented to the town by a local millionaire in 1897 in conjunction more..

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Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple

Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple

Also known as the temple of the Goddess of Mercy, it was built in 1800 by the first Chinese settlers of the Hokkien and Cantonese communities. The temple has been designed in the finest tradition of ancient Chinese architecture. It attracts both ardent pilgrims seeking the assistance of Kuan Yin and tourists. Puppet shows are staged in the temple grounds during the Goddess' birthday celebrations in March and October.

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address:	Pitt Street

Snake Temple

The Snake Temple or the Temple of the Azure Cloud, which was built in 1850 on a hillock by the roadside, is dedicated to the diety Char Soo Kong. It is a sanctuary for pit vipers which coil around objects on the altars and other parts of the temple. Although poisonous, these snakes are not known to bite. Devotees refer to them as `officers' of the deity and regard them as `holy and harmless'.

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address:	Bayan Lepas about 1.5 km. from the International Airport

Penang Hill

A popular rendezvous for the local people and visitors, the hill is 830 metres above sea level. Transport to the summit is by means of a funicular railway which takes 30 minutes. Here the temperature drops to 18 C, a welcome change from the heat below. It offers a panoramic view of Georgetown and the coastal areas of the mainland. Facilities up the hill include a children's playground, teahouse, hotel, hill mosque and an Indian temple. The railway station is located at Air Itam and the services normally operate until late evening.

type:	Parks and Gardens
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Botanical Gardens

It is the only one in Malaysia and occupies an area of 30 hectares, set in an ideal valley-like area surrounded by forested hills. The garden has a collection of both local and tropical flora and fauna. There are hundreds of trees and flowery plants and dozens of plant houses and nurseries, fern gardens and lily ponds. Attractions also include a replica of the Penang bridge, the library and of course, the rhesus monkeys. In the evening, it is the favourite spot for family picnics and jogging. Located off the Waterfall Road.

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Youth Park

the swimming pool in youth park
photo by: jaleen

The park is ideal for picnicking, camping, archery and aero-modelling. Hikers can use a foothpath that leads to Penang Hill. The centre piece of the park is a roller-skating rink. Located at Quarry Drive near the Botanical Gardens.

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Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Built by a Kwangtung businessman, this Chinese mansion of the 18th and 19th century is believed to be one of only three such buildings remaining outside China. The building has ancient tiled roofs, cobbled courtyards, russet brick walls and steel spiral stairways. It contains collections of rare porcelain, sculptures and carvings, tapestries and embroideries, lacquers, bronzes and other antiques.

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address:	Leith Street

Sri Mariamman Temple

Built in 1883, it is the oldest and most famous Hindu temple in Penang. It contains fascinating scupltured gods and goddesses, amongst them a priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam decorated in gold, diamonds and other precious stones. The temple has a scupltured tower at the entrance and inside it are the symbols of the nine planets. The signs of the zodiac are carved in wood on the ceiling. Admission is free.

State mosque

Completed in 1980, it stands majestically on a 4.5 hectare site in the Greenlane surburb and is one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. A magnificient chandelier measuring 20 feet by 16 feet adorns the prayer hall which can accommodate 5000 worshipers. From the top of the 170 feet minaret, a panoramic view of Georgetown can be seen. Permission to visit the mosque must be obtained from the State Religious Department. Appropriate dressing is required.

Logan Memorial and high court

A marble statue stands in the high court compound dedicated to James Richardson Logan, a prominent lawyer and one-time editor of the `Penang Gazette'. Logan devoted his life to serving the public and was a strong advocate of freedom of speech, law and order until his death in 1869. Located in Farquhar Street opposite the Museum.

St. George's Church

A magnificient edifice built by convicts between 1817 and 1819, it is the oldest Anglican church in South-East Asia. In front of the church stands a monument to Capt. Francis Light. The building has semi-arches, mouldings, doric columns and pillars; the roof which was originally flat is now gable-shaped. Also located next to the Museum

Forest Recreation Park

This is a beautifully landscaped park, on the northwest coast. It covers 100 hectares, has several freshwater pools, footpaths, rest huts, and a children's playground. There is a forestry museum which houses exhibits of tropical timbers and their products and preserved insect species. Located at Telok Bahang, 24 km from Georgetown. Admission is free.

Kapitan Kling Mosque

This is Penang's first mosque, built around 1800 to replace an old attap structure that had been constructed in 1786 by an Indian Muslim merchant, Cauder Mohideen who was then the `Kling Kapitan' (Indian Muslim Headsman). Its dome shaped and well placed minaret reflects Islamic architecture of Indian influence. It is painted ochre yellow and has a green roof.