Category: George Town / Island

Penang Isle: Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Located at Queen Street, the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang wich was built in 1833. The temple is also referred as Mariamman Temple or Queen Street Indian Temple. Since 1833, the temple has stood at the same location for more than 200 years. Like other Hindu temples, fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses can be found over its main entrance and facade. Built in the south Indian Dravidian style, the temple has an impressive gopuram (tower). Rising above the entrance, it features Hindu deities, soldiers and floral decorations.

For more info, check out on Wikipedia


The back view of the temple.

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 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: Ferry Service and Terminal

The Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. Located at the eastern coast of the island, the Penang ferry service connects Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal at Weld Quay at George Town in Penang Island with the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth mainland. The current ferry service is available to transport both vehicles and passengers (usually the top deck for passengers and the deck below for vehicles). The ferry service started back in 1920, under the management of a Chinese-owned company. It is now currently jointly operated by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)
First ferry departure : 5:30 am
Last ferry departure : 12:30 am

Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland side
First ferry departure : 6:00 am
Last ferry departure : 1:00 am

The ferry fee is only required to be paid at the Butterworth terminal side (if one comes from the mainland to the island).
The rate is RM1.20 for Adult and Rm0.60 for Children (between 5 to 12 years old). For cars, the rate is RM7.70 while for motorcycles, the rate is RM2.

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: Old City Hall and Town Hall

The Penang Old City Hall and Town Hall are located next to each other at the Esplanade. The two buildings, also located at the World Heritage Site, are fine examples of British colonial buildings and architecture.

The Old City Hall was built in 1903 with a typical design of the British Palladian architecture during the British colonial era. The design of the Old City Hall is almost similar to the nearby Old Town Hall, which features the balcony as a main element overlooking the esplanade. The Old City Hall is currently houses the offices of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP).

The Old Town Hall (as shown below) was once a premier site for social gathering and activities in George Town for the town’s European community and is also the oldest Municipal Building in Penang. The building’s foundation was first laid on 1st January 1879 by Lt. Governor Sir Archibald Edward Harbord Anson. The building was built over a land area of 70,711 square feet facing the famous Esplanade. Upon completion in 1880, the building was officiated by Frederick Weld, the then Governor of the Straits Settlements.

Penang Isle: The Cenotaph

The Cenotaph located at the Esplanade is a historical and heritage war memorial erected by the British empire. The cenotaph was unveiled by the Prince of Wales on 31 March 1922, at the Esplanade seafront to remember the losses during World War I battles.

The Penang Veterans Association also built another small monument besides the cenotaph to remember those killed in World War II, Siam-Burma Death Railway, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and the Reinsurgency period.

Penang Isle: The Esplanade

The Esplanade area is a popular tourist location at George Town as it houses the Fort Cornwallis, the City Halls as well as an old lighthouse which overlooks the Penang Harbour. The large Esplanade field is also the venue of major festivals held at the island (such as New Year celebration, cultural show, and the Bon Odori festival). The seafront of the Esplanade is a popular place to fish day or night while during the night, there is a foodcourt nearby selling local delicacies.

Location at Google Map.

Penang Isle: The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is a buddhist temple located at the heart of George Town with its presence that lasted on the Penang island for more than 200 years since its foundation back in 1803. Often regarded as the earliest Burmese Buddhist temple in Malaysia, the temple is located directly opposite of the Wat Chaiyamangalaram Thai Buddhist temple.

The temple complex is consisted of a main shrine hall, the Sime Hall which houses a giant standing Buddha statue, a pagoda, a 200 years old well built during the early settlement of monks. The roof of the Sime Hall is also clad in golden paint with unique Burmese architecture. Statues of mythical creatures as well as deities can also be found scattered around the temple complex’s courtyard and garden.

Location: Google Map