Penang Isle: Han Jiang Teochew Temple

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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

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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: National Park

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The Penang National Park located at Teluk Bahang (or sometimes referred locally as ‘End of the World’) is the first protected area legally gazetted under the National Park Act of 1980, which signifies the State and Federal Governments’ efforts in protecting the environment. Also the smallest national park in the country, the park is unique due to its landscapes, wildlife and beaches. Teluk Bahang is a few kilometers further up from Batu Feringghi and the location of the National Forest is here.

Some of the the unique features of the park include meromictic lake, wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs and turtle nesting beaches. The eight beaches located at the park are among the nicest beaches in the island due to their almost untouched nature. These beaches are Teluk Bahang, Teluk Tukun, Tanjung Aling, Teluk Duyung (Monkey Beach), Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi and Pantai Mas. To get to the beaches, one can hike and walk up the jungle trails or alternatively hire a boat to reach there via the sea.

There is also a lighthouse in the park which is located at Muka Head and is accessible through the far end of Teluk Duyung. Built in 1883 at a cost of £37,929 by the British, it is located 242 metres (794 ft) above sea level.

Visitors will need to register (for free) before and after entering the park at the reception area as shown above. An information counter as well as public shower rooms are available there too.


The beach is also home to monitor lizards which like to take a stroll on the sands and swimming at the sea on sunny days.


The trees of the forst is also home to Dusky Leaf monkeys resting or swinging at the branches on sunny days.

Just in front of the National Park Office, is the nearby fishermen jetty where fishing boats dock and also where one can find boat-for-hire to travel by sea to the beaches located at the National Park area.

Penang Isle: Wat Buppharam Temple

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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: Beach Views

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As one of the main tourist hubs of Malaysia, Penang island boasted an array of beautiful beaches located along it northern tip as well as its southwestern tip. Most of the popular beaches, as well as hotels and resorts, are located along the coast of Batu Feringghi. Here are some of the random shots of beaches at Batu Feringghi.

Penang Isle: Straits Quay

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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

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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: Ferry Service and Terminal

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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

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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.