68) The multi-cultural panache of Georgetown

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town
September 20th 2005

Published: October 30th 2005

The trip from the Perhentian Islands to Georgetown meant crossing Malaysia from east to west. Although it is not as far as the country’s expansion from north to south, it is said to be long and rather tedious, because there is no direct road. There is a direct bus, though, from Kota Bharu to Butterworth, the mainland city closest to Georgetown on Penang Island, at 9:30 a.m. As the morning boat w... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 44, Displayed: 21

Yap Kongsi temple

This tiny but beautiful temple is dedicated to the Chinese god of prosperity. We as Austrians were also attracted by the alpine flowers promised on the signboard

Hainan temple

Entrance to a very nicely decorated temple, dedicated to Mar Chor, the patron saint of seafarers

Detail of Hainan temple

It is amonmg the most decorated ones in town

Inside the Hainan temple

View from just inside the main entrance

Carpenter's Guild

This beautiful piece inside that clan temple illustrates the craftsmen's ultimate skills

Kek Lok Si Temple

The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia with its 7-tier ‘Million Buddhas Precious Pagoda’

Goddess of Mercy at the Kek Lok Si Temple

This temple is said to be the finest Buddhist Temple in South East Asia, but we absolutely disliked it and found it monstrous...

Prayer Hall at Kek Lok Si Temple

The huge ecomplex was begun in 1890 and still isn't finished, most buildings look brand new

Interior of one prayer hall

Buddhas everywhere, also on the strange cones beside the main image

Lady praying in the Kek Lok Si Temple

There were actually more devotees than tourists present

Guanyin temple

Built in 1800 by the Hokkien and Cantonese Chinese communities, this is the oldest temple in Penang

Old Chinese house

Georgetown's Chinatown is very atmospheric, with a lot of nice buildings

Typical Chinatown street

Beautifully renovated houses, where the ground floor normally serves as shop

Georgetown transport

Whenever you are tired of walking, there are plenty of bicycle rickshaws around

Typical food stall

Choose the food sticks you like, cook them in the boiling water and dip them in your favourite sauce, simple isn't it?

Victoria Memorial Clock Tower

Erected in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It is 60 feet tall, one foot for every year of her reign

Entrance of Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis was one of the first British structures built in Penang

Klaudia and her new fitness program

The canon balls are quite practical to improve your fitness, but in the past they were probably used for a bloodier purpose

City Hall

This administrative building of the former colonial period is located just next of Fort Cornwallis

Old colonial house

This wounderfull house was closed for the public, but it seems to hve been renovated recently. Indeed the local goverment is trying to restore many historical building in order to promote Georgetown as a major touristic destination in Malaysia

Masjid Kapitan Kling

Georgetown largest mosque named after a famous Indian Muslim merchant

9th May 2006

anonymous
non-member comment

A very comprehensive blog about your trip to Penang. I love it! I love those pictures as well!

22nd June 2006

Sally
non-member comment

WOW
Wow what great photos well done.

6th July 2006

Shufei
non-member comment

?
I hope you got permission before you took those photos inside the temples and of worshippers. It's really very rude when tourists go and do that. Many temples forbid all photos, especially of the god statues.

16th June 2007

Jenny
non-member comment

Great!
Really interesting blog, with lots of great tips. Thanks!

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68) The multi-cultural panache of Georgetown

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