Category: Architecture

Penang Isle: Han Jiang Teochew Temple

The Han Jiang Teochew Temple is a Chinese temple located along Lebuh Chulia in George Town and right at the cross junction of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. It is the community temple of the Penang Teochew Association. Completed in 1870, the Hanjiang Ancestral Temple is the community temple of the Penang Teochew Association which was formed in 1855 by six Teochew migrants.

The temple has suffered from long years of wear and tear as well as neglect over the year until a special committee was then formed in 2002 to conduct a restoration project of the temple which was later completed in 2005. The temple is carefully restored in its unique old Chinese architecture and to reflect its history properly.

Penang Mainland: St. Anne Church

The famous St. Anne Church is located at a 20-acres land in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. The Roman Catholic church was founded in 1846 and its first chapel was built on top of the hill. The church expanded as years passed with an increase of Catholic populations in the state, with major developments during the 1990s to 2000s.

In 2002, another new church was built which is one of the largest churches in Malaysia. The church was built incorporating Minangkabau element such as its roofs. An avenue named Dataran St. Anne was also constructed in front of the church. Various facilities were also built such as dormitories for visiting pilgrims, parish office, parish community centre and presbytery. In 2006, the church installed the ‘Statues of Passion’ at a cost of RM600,000 depicting the stations of the cross.

The real feast day of St Anne is on 26 July, but it is usually celebrated for ten days at Bukit Mertajam, either on the real day or immediately after the real day. The celebrations include a candlelight procession, a nine-day novena and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During these days, pilgrims from all over the country, including neighboring countries, will be travelling here.

Location: Google Map

Penang Isle: Wat Buppharam Temple

The Buppharam Buddhist Temple (Wat Buppharam), located at Pulau Tikus in Penang, was built in the year 1942 by Luang Por Sri Keow, a Buddhist monk. The name Wat Buppharam is also known as Flower Temple. Various legendary and mythical figures of Buddhism and Taoisim origins can be found around the temple complex. The temple is well known for its ‘Lifting Buddha’, a 100-years old Buddha statue where worshippers seek answers or prayers from. Besides that, the temple also offers services such as providing protective amulets.

The temple recently has an official website at http://www.watbuppharam.com/.

Penang Isle: Straits Quay

The Straits Quay is set within the waterfront community of Seri Tanjung Penang. It’s a 12.4-acre retail enclave offers everything from boutiques to bistros, signatures seafood restaurants to seaside cafes, antique shops to art galleries, bars and boatrides. Service apartments were also built around Waterside and the Marina with views facing the berths and the sea, hence, providing a nice seafront living. The Straits Quay is part of the Seri Tanjung Pinang project by E&O developments.

Penang Bridge

Constructed in 1982 and completed in 1985, the Penang Bridge connects the Penang island (Gelugor area) and its mainland (Seberang Prai area) at the peninsular with more than 65,000 vehicles traveling across it daily. The tolled bridge’s fees is only paid when heading to the island. There is no charge for leaving the island. After construction works of Penang Bridge were completed in 1985, Penang Island became the first and only island in Malaysia to be connected to the mainland through land transport.

Penang Bridge International Marathon is an international and widely popular event held annually. During this special day, the bridge will be closed completely.

Penang Isle: Tanjung City Marina

Tanjung City Marina, which is located at George Town, is formerly known as the Church Street Pier. The marina is located at the Weld Quay area between the Penang Island Ferry Terminal and the Penang Island Swettenham Port. The marina is open to the public and caters to vessels with maximum draft of up to 4 meters. Some of the facilities and services available at the marina complex include Customs, Immigration and Port Clearance (CIP), refueling facilities and repairs as well as maintenance works. Two restaurants, a cafe and a convenience store are also located at the marina.

Penang Isle: Hindu Temple

As a multi-racial and multi-cultural state, Penang is home to various places of worship catering to different religions. The old Hindu temples in Penang were first built by Indian labourers as well as prisoners brought over from South India by the British during the colonial times. Most of these temples still remained today as devotees flock to the temples during significant days and festivals. The Hindu temples in Penang are built with detailed and unique architecture mostly featuring figurines of various Hindu deities on the roof and walls of the temples.

Penang Isle: The Floating Mosque

The Floating Mosque (or in Malay called Masjid Terapung) is built after the 2004 tsunami disaster that hit the island’s coast and destroyed a nearby mosque. The large Malay mosque is located at the bay in Tanjung Bungah, which one can easily spot if going along the main road to Batu Ferringhi. The mosque is built standing on pilings and stilts and is also the first mosque to be built in the sea in Malaysia.