Visit Penang -- Walk in the Heritage town

By Liow Yi Fei
Photos by Liow Yi Fei



Penang embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world charm,it is a fascinating fusion of the East and West.

Long regarded as the food capital of Malaysia, Penang also entices visitors with its beautiful coasts and scrumptious cuisines.

George town,it has been listed as a World Heritage site since July 2008.

I had visit to Penang before,but, this is the first time that I had chance to go for a heritage walk in George Town.

Broadway Budget Hotel

Broadway Budget Hotel is located at Little India.If you wan to save cost and had a heritage walk in George town, it will be a good choice.(Of course,do not expect you will get a luxury enjoyment, then you will found that it is good enough with the reasonable price.)

The Goddess of Mercy Temple

The yellow-stained walls of this ancient temple bears testament to some 200 years of pious devotion. The little dragons perched on the ornate temple roofs have seen the worst of storms and the hottest of days yet the colours of these “ceramic guardians” have not lost its luster.

During the Japanese Occupation, many lives were saved as people ran into the temple to seek shelter from the bombings. Miraculously, when the Japanese invaded Penang, many buildings were damaged but the Kuan Im Teng was spared from destruction.

I did pray and draw a divination stick in this venerable temple.Is it superstitious?Just depends on your belief!

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

which won the 2000 Most Excellent Award of Unesco Asia-Pacific for Culture Heritage Conservation,is a grand and intricate estate built by one of the wealthiest tycoons at the turn of the 20th century.The mansion, which cover the terrace houses at the opposite side, is a fusion of Oriental and Western Architecture.
Visiting Hours: Conducted tours at 11.00am and 3.00pm everyday. Other times is closed to the public.
Tel: 604-262 0006







Another place that cannot missed is the Weld Quay Clan Jetties. One of the scene in The movie "Ice Kacang Puppy love" was shooting at Chew Jetty.

Chew Jetty

The houses used to have atap roofs but these have since been replaced with zinc sheets. The six clan jetties may be located at the backwaters of George Town but the 6ha area is home to a priceless piece of Penang’s history and a living heritage that serves as a reminder of one of South East Asia’s most important maritime ports.

A neo-classical architecture, was once the tallest building in the island with it's clock tower.

Wisma Kastam, originally known as the Malayan Railway Building, is one of the most prominent heritage buildings along the Weld Quay waterfront of George Town. It was built at the turn of the 20th century following land reclamation that extended the shoreline outward.

try to be a free cat!

when you are exhausted that walk in the town, you can get a free shuttle to bring you turn around.

A part from the heritage walk, I also visit to the Kek Lok Si temple that far away from George town. It is all because of i am await to visit The huge Kuan Yin statue.

The huge 30.2 m bronze statue of the Greatly Kuan Yin

The Kuan Yin statue was completed and opened to the public end of 2002. If you want to get a close-up look of the Kuan Yin statue, look for the signs of the "Incline Lift" that can brings you there. It is an elevated box sized lift mounted on rails. The cost for using the
"Inline Lift" will be RM2 each way.

The view from the "Inline lift"

Kek Lok Si Temple

Construction for the temple started in 1890 and to date, is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, Kek Lok Si ranks as among the best known temples in the region. Overlooking the town of Air Itam, the best time to visit Kek Lok Si is during Chinese New Year because thousands of lights are switched on to mark the celebration, transforming the place of worship into a brightly-lit fairyland at night.