Category: Butterworth / Mainland

Bukit Mertajam: Jalan Pasar Hawker Centre

Also known as Pek Kong Cheng Hawker Centre, this hawker food centre is a popular food destination located near the Tua Pek Kong Cheng Temple at Jalan Pasar in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. It offers a wide variety of local Malaysian street food, including favorites like char koay teow, curry mee, chicken rice, and Hokkien mee. The hawker center is known for its lively atmosphere, with many food stalls and seating areas that attract both locals and tourists. It’s a great place to experience authentic Penang cuisine and the local food culture.

Bukit Mertajam: Tua Pek Kong Cheng Temple

The Tua Pek Kong Cheng Temple in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, is a significant Taoist temple dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, a deity worshipped for protection, health, and prosperity. The temple is known for its rich history, dating back over a century, and its vibrant cultural practices, particularly during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

The temple’s architecture reflects traditional Chinese design, with intricate carvings and decorations. It serves as a focal point for community gatherings and religious ceremonies, attracting both devotees and tourists interested in Penang’s cultural heritage.

Hungry Ghost Festival at Bukit Mertajam

The Hungry Ghost Festival in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has been celebrated for over 130 years. This festival, rooted in Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, honors the spirits of deceased ancestors who are believed to roam the earth during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The event features various rituals, including offerings of food, paper money, and entertainment like Chinese opera and puppet shows, to appease these spirits. The festival remains a vibrant cultural tradition, attracting both locals and tourists to experience its unique customs.

The festival also hosts the giant effigy of Tai Su Yeah (Chinese version of King of Hades) which will then be paraded in the middle of Jalan Pasar on the night of Aug 20, where it will be burned and “sent back to the other world”, a ritual witnessed by thousands.

Design Village Penang: 2024 Chinese New Year Festive Display

Design Village in Penang celebrating Chinese New Year with a stunning display of traditional decorations. Embracing the Year of the Dragon, the vibrant red lanterns and intricate ornaments adorn the outdoor spaces, creating a mesmerizing ambiance that transports visitors to ancient China. The celebration is not just about the festive allure but also a journey through the rich history of Chinese architecture. The intricate details of the decorations reflect the grandeur of ancient structures, offering a unique blend of cultural appreciation and festive cheer.

Butterworth Street Art Alley (Art Walk at Night)

Butterworth Bagan Art Alley Walk.

As part of the effort to rejuvenate the old Bagan town in Butterworth, this area is being developed as Butterworth’s very own art space. This ‘outdoor art gallery’ hosts various art works or murals from local artists and is organized by Zart Inventive.

Google Map Location to the street art area: https://goo.gl/maps/r89hFHGByfJ2

 

Butterworth Street Art Alley (Art Walk)

Various murals depicting the history of Butterworth and its local economy can be found on the walls of the Butterworth Art Alley or Butterworth Art Walk. This series of arts were painted by local artists.

A collaboration between Think City and Zaini Zainul to kick start the local art scene, this small alley, which is right next to Lodge 18 Hotel, was converted to an outdoor gallery of art works. The local artists who contributed to this ‘art gallery’ are Shazwan Jalil, Syamsul Addenno, Suhaimi Ali, Hadi Ramli, Nazmi Jamarudin, Amir Andha and Azmi Husin, along with a monkey sculpture created from mesh-wires by Shahidan Muhamad and Zaini Zainul.

Lodge 18 Hotel is located near the main road of Jalan Kampong Gajah in Butterworth, beside the Dewan Dato’ Haji Ahmad Badawi field and not far from the ferry and train terminals.

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/r89hFHGByfJ2

More murals here:

Bukit Mertajam: The New Mengkuang Dam

The Mengkuang Dam finally re-opened to the public in December 2020 after six years of upgrading and expansion works. Unlike the old dam which had more trees and shades, the new expanded dam provides a wider space for recreational activities (but the area can be very hot during the noon).

The dam is accessible freely to the public from 7am to 7pm daily. Note: there will be crowd control during movement control order. Google Map link – click here.

Here are some scenic views of the newly upgraded dam:

Butterworth Street View: Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi

Located at Bagan Luar, Butterworth, the Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi Hall and Community Center building was built during the British colonial era and served as a recreation club building back during that time. It was later renamed in honor of the late father of former Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.