Tag: butterworth

Butterworth Raja Uda: Tow Boo Kong Temple (Nine Emperor Gods)

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞) returned to Penang from 10 to 18 October 2026, bringing nine days of Taoist religious ceremonies, temple processions and vegetarian food stalls across the state. Devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet, often wearing white, while temples fill with the sounds of chanting, drums and prayers to honour the Nine Emperor Gods.

One of the main centres of celebration is Tow Boo Kong Temple in Butterworth, where the festivities culminate in a ceremonial procession to send the deities back to the sea. During the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the temple comes alive with religious ceremonies, processions and vegetarian food stalls. Its illuminated decorations and vibrant festive atmosphere make it a worthwhile stop for visitors exploring Penang’s Chinese religious traditions and cultural heritage.

The festival’s origins are linked to ancient Chinese beliefs surrounding the nine stars of the Northern Dipper, although different communities preserve their own versions of the legend. One popular account tells of the Nine Emperor Gods descending from the heavens to bless devotees with protection, peace and good fortune. For visitors, this annual celebration offers a fascinating opportunity to experience Penang’s living Chinese religious traditions and sample the wide variety of vegetarian dishes available at stalls marked by yellow flags.

Tow Boo Kong Temple, Raja Uda, Butterworth, is a prominent temple dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods, known for its ornate architecture, colourful murals, intricate dragon carvings and impressive prayer halls. During the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the temple comes alive with religious ceremonies, processions and vegetarian food stalls. Its illuminated decorations and vibrant festive atmosphere make it a worthwhile stop for visitors exploring Penang’s Chinese religious traditions and cultural heritage.

Raja Uda (Butterworth) CNY Lanterns Street

Raja Uda (Butterworth) is Penang’s well-known CNY “lantern street,” with thousands of red lanterns spanning roughly a few kilometers and best enjoyed after nightfall. At night, the lanterns form a continuous red canopy that’s become a major “check-in” / photo spot in the area. It’s also a long-running local tradition that has been done annually (with pauses during the pandemic period). The lit-up stretch runs from the south junction of Jalan Telaga Air through Jalan Raja Uda.

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a major Taoist celebration held during the ninth lunar month, honoring nine deities believed to control the movements of planets and bring good fortune. In Penang, especially at temples like Tow Boo Kong in Raja Uda, the festival is marked by vibrant rituals, long processions, vegetarian food offerings, and the lighting of massive incense sticks. Devotees often observe a nine-day vegetarian diet as an act of purification and devotion. The celebration is both spiritual and cultural, filling the streets with color, music, and prayers.

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is steeped in legend and ancient Chinese cosmology. According to Taoist belief, the Nine Emperor Gods (known as Jiuhuang Dadi) are celestial beings representing the nine sons of Dou Mu, the Goddess of the North Star, who governs the universe and controls the life and death of mortals.

One of the most popular legends tells that the festival originated during China’s Qing Dynasty, when a secret society of devotees prayed to the Nine Emperors for protection against oppression. When the prayers were answered, the people began holding annual rituals to honor the gods.

During the festival, devotees welcome the gods on the eve of the ninth lunar month with a ceremonial procession to the sea or river, believed to be the portal through which the deities descend to Earth. After nine days of prayers, offerings, and vegetarian observance, the gods are sent back to the heavens through another water procession.

Tow Boo Kong Temple (Nine Emperor Gods)

The Tow Boo Kong Temple in Raja Uda, Butterworth, is one of Penang’s largest and most impressive Taoist temples, dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods. What began as a small shrine in the 1970s has grown into a grand complex featuring ornate dragon pillars, intricate carvings, and a beautifully landscaped courtyard. The temple becomes especially lively during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in the ninth lunar month, drawing thousands of devotees and visitors for prayers, processions, and cultural performances that fill the streets with color and devotion.

Sunway Carnival Penang: 2025 Hari Raya Festive Display

​Sunway Carnival Mall is celebrating the festive spirit of Hari Raya with its EIDisi Manis campaign, running until April 6. This year’s theme honors traditional Malaysian sweet treats like kuih lapis, symbolizing unity and cherished memories across generations. Visitors are welcomed into a Penang village-inspired setting, offering a nostalgic kampung atmosphere that blends cultural heritage with contemporary flair.

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: