Pek Kong Cheng (Bukit Mertajam) has a notable Chinese New Year decoration setup this year featuring lots of red lanterns plus a special “Leaping Fish” theme using fish-shaped lanterns. The installation consists of more than 300 fish-shaped lanterns in the area around Pek Kong Cheng Temple (also known as Hock Teik Cheng Sin) at Jalan Pasar.
Penang Miaohui (槟城庙会) is Penang’s major Chinese New Year “temple fair” held around George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage streets, where clan halls, guilds, and cultural groups open their doors for public open houses, performances, exhibitions, and hands-on heritage activities. It typically spreads across about 12 heritage streets and features cultural showcases plus large food and interactive booth areas, highlighting Penang’s Chinese heritage in a multicultural, community-focused way.
Lion dance on poles performance for GAMA Departmental Store during Chinese New Year opening.
During Chinese New Year in Penang, lion dances fill public and temple spaces with percussion-driven, acrobatic performances meant to welcome prosperity and chase away negative energy, often culminating in the cai qing blessing for homes and businesses.
In Malaysia, Master Siow Ho Phiew is a Malaysian lion dance coach and lion-head craftsman, widely called the father of Malaysia’s high-pole lion dance for creating a high-pole sequence that became a new standard and for spreading the style internationally through teaching.
Tai Por Kong Temple in Penang commonly refers to San Jiang Temple (三江庙) at Macallum Street Ghaut, a Chinese temple that began as a small shrine founded in 1920 and was later rebuilt after fundraising when the old premises aged. It is associated with the Hui’an Hokkien community, and the name “San Jiang” is said to come from the original Tai Por Kong temple in Hui’an, China, which overlooks three rivers.
The temple is also one of the famous temples that conducts the Tai Sui rite, especially during the Chinese New Year. A Tai Sui rite (拜太岁 / 安太岁) is a Taoist-style prayer/appeasement ritual done to seek protection, smoothness, and to “make peace” with the year’s Tai Sui (the annual celestial authority linked to the lunar year), especially if your Chinese Zodiac is believed to be “offending Tai Sui” that year.
A blessing ceremony for the lions which takes place at the old Kuan Yin Temple in George Town during Chinese New Year. Several vibrant southern-style lions in turquoise, pink, and yellow can be seen performing at the temple courtyard as part of the blessing ceremony.
Penang’s southern-style lions trace back to southern Chinese migrant roots, were sustained by local martial arts and community groups, and later evolved in Malaysia into a highly trained, competition-driven performance tradition while remaining central to festive and blessing ceremonies.
Armenian Street comes alive at night in this cozy, lantern-lit scene, where rows of glowing red Chinese lanterns float above the narrow lane and warm streetlights bounce off the old shophouse walls. The bright yellow road markings lead your eye into the distance, while little details (plants by the gates, hanging wires overhead, and small storefront corners) give the street its lived-in Penang character.
The newly restored western moat at Fort Cornwallis in George Town is set to reopen with an upgraded walkway and improved drainage, reviving a historical feature that once protected the 18th-century fort from invasions.
Despite its name, Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian) was not originally settled by Armenians. It was named after the small Armenian community that once lived there in the early 1800s, who were influential traders and philanthropists in Penang. Interestingly, the famous Eastern & Oriental Hotel was founded by the Armenian Sarkies Brothers, who also established Singapore’s Raffles Hotel.
Today, the street is a UNESCO heritage hotspot known for its murals, cafes, and historic shophouses.
Colorful lanterns adorning Armenian Street during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Queensbay Mall is celebrating Deepavali 2025 with its “Radiance of Lights” theme, transforming the central atrium into a vibrant tribute to the Konark Sun Temple. The space is beautifully decorated with glowing elephants, golden lotus flowers, and garden-inspired displays, creating a warm festive atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy cultural performances like Odissi dance and Silambam, along with family activities such as rangoli contests and card-making workshops; making the festival a perfect blend of shopping, tradition, and celebration.
