Tag: penang hill

The Jade Emperor Temple

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The Jade Emperor Temple at the foot of Penang Hill.

During the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, Chinese Hokkien people will be celebrating the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is also known as the Hokkien people’s new year, and has its origin back during the Song Dynasty where Chinese Hokkien refugees were saved from being caught and killed by the Mongols on the same day of the Jade Emperor’s birthday. Hence, as gratitude and believing that the Jade Emperor had saved them, the Hokkien people soon marked this day as an important festival to be celebrated.

Most Chinese in Penang are Hokkiens, so this day is usually celebrated more widely (and ‘loudly’) here than the first day of Chinese New Year.

Penang Hill Mosque

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As the only mosque at the top of Penang Hill, the old Penang Hill Mosque (or Masjid Bukit Bendera) serves as the the ‘highest’ Muslim place of worship for the local community there.

Note: Today marks the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a festive holiday season celebrated by all Muslims here. Therefore, to all Muslims out there, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

The Habitat: Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk

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As the main attraction of The Habitat at Penang Hill, the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk features breathtaking views atop the rainforest hill of Penang island. It provides an elevated walkway and a 360 degrees viewing platform above the trees (with a height of 13 meters from the ground), offering the highest panoramic view of the island. Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk was named after Charles Curtis, the first British superintendent of the Penang Botanic Gardens and who is also a botanist himself.

The Habitat @ Penang Hill

Claiming to be the country’s first ecotourism site, The Habitat at Penang Hill is the newest attraction to join the ranks of popular tourism sites in Penang. With its objectives in promoting environmental causes and the conservation of nature, The Habitat features walking trails within the lush rainforest of Penang. Along these trails, one can find a variety of flora and fauna which inhabit the rainforest and hills, ranging from tiny insects to the rainforest’s wildlife and plants.

A place which will be appreciated by people who like nature, The Habitat also features its own attractions like the giant swings, mini gardens and a tree top walk (the Curtis Walk), in addition to guided walking tours. There are several other new attractions (like the canopy walk) which are being developed currently and are expected to be completed by the year’s end.

For more info on The Habitat, do visit its official website located HERE.

Penang Hill Hindu Temple

Penang Hill Hindu Temple

Penang Hill Hindu Temple

Penang Hill Hindu Temple

The Hindu temple at the top of Penang Hill is a beautiful temple adorned with intricate sculptures of Hindu deities. The temple is named Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan and is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. The temple was reportedly started off in the 1800s as a small shrine to the Hindu deity Murugan and after years of expansion, became its present state.

On a side note, Happy Deepavali to all Hindus out there.