Khoo Kongsi

The Khoo Kongsi (邱公司) is a large Chinese clanhouse with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture, a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Penang. The famous Khoo Kongsi is the grandest clan temple in the country. It is also one of the city's major historic attraction. The clan temple has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite-paved square. It is located in Cannon Square in the heart of the oldest part of the city of George Town, in the midst of narrow, winding lanes and quaint-looking pre-War houses exuding a palpable old world charm.

The Khoo Kongsi is a clan association of the Leong San Tong (Dragon Mountain Hall) clan, whose forefathers came from Sin Kang clan village in Hokkien province. The Khoos were among the wealthy Straits Chinese traders of 17th century Malacca and early Penang. In the 19th century, the clan complex resembled a miniature clan village, with its own self-government as well as educational, financial, welfare and social organisations. The clan temple was built in 1906 when the Khoo clan was at the height of wealth and eminence in Penang society.

The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as a clanhouse for members of the Khoo family in 1851. It was burnt down in 1894, allegedly struck by lightning, and the Chinese believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace, which provoked the gods. A scaled-down version was later built in 1902 and completed in 1906. Even so, the complex boasts a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China. The clan temple is dedicated to the clan's patron deities and also houses a collection of ancestral tablets. Chinese operas are still staged at the theatre during the seventh lunar month. They are a wonderful cultural experience worth witnessing.

Like many such clan associations in South East Asia, Khoo Kongsi is no longer the center of important social activities and functions that it once held. Different strategies and ideas are being implemented to redefine the place of clan associations in the 21st century.

Penang Habour Lighthouse

Located at the north-eastern tip of Fort Cornwallis, this lighthouse was built in 1883 and it has a unique shape of a ship's mast was an important navigational aid for ships calling at Penang habour.

Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis is said to be the site where Captain Francis Light first landed in Penang in 1786. It was named after Lord Charles Marquis Cornwallis, the Governor General of Bengal, is located at the tip of the cape in George Town. Originally a wooden stockade, it was rebuilt in 1804 by convict labour. The brick fortification was raised to overlook the North Channel and the walls were fitted with cannons.

Today, this relic consist of an open-air amphitheater and souvenir shops. A statue of Sir Francis Light which was unveiled in 1939 to commemorate the 150-year anniversary of the establishment of the British settlement in Penang, stands here at the Fort. The first chapel built in Penang is located at the south-western corner of the fort.

Penang State Mosque

This mosque of elegant, contemporary architecture stands as a distinct landmark on the island. The mosque can accommodate about 5,000 worshipers and its usually crowded on Fridays.

Note: For Non-Muslim visitor, permission must be obtained from mosque officials to enter.

Penang Hill

At 830 meters above sea level, Penang Hill or Bukit Bendera is the highest point on the Penang Island and houses the first hill station that was established in 1800. Visitors can either hike up or travel by the funicular railway cars pulled by cables which started in 1922.

For those who like adventure and hiking, there are two hiking tracks up the hill. One located at "Moongate" its 300 meters from the Botanical Gardens entrance and the other is a jeep track near the Botanical Gardens. The summit has a spectacular view of the Penang Island.

Note:

• Rail service operating hours: 6:30am to 9:30pm daily.

Penang's very own Bukit Bintang

Well everyone know that Bukit Bintang is located in Kuala Lumpur, but Penang got its own Bukit Bintang as, so if you're in Penang, why not check it out. Its the brand new "New World Park" located at Burmah Road. Its a place for food lovers and nice place to relax as well.

Checkout the Slide show capture with Nikon S7 COOLPIX camera.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

A Hakka millionaire industrialist, who came to Penang in the early 1890s, built this mansion which won the UNESCO Conservation Award in 2000. The mansion embracing many of the ancient principles of feng shui. Today the mansion offers short and long-term residential stay in 16 uniquely themed bedroom apartments.

Note:

• Location: 14, Leith Street, 10200 Penang, Malaysia
• Tel: 604-262 5289
• Website: http://cheongfatttzemansion.com/
• Email: cftm@tm.net.my

Tours are available at 11:00am and 3:00pm daily at RM12.00 per person

Wat Chaiyamangalaran - Reclining Buddha Temple

Built in 19th Century. The Majestic Wat Chaiyamangalaran temple with its unique blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural designs. Inside the temple lies the third largest Reclining Buddha in the world, measuring up to a staggering length of 33 meters. The niches behind the Buddha statue hold urns containing the ashes of devotees who have passed away.

Note: The Temple opens daily from 7:00am till 5:00pm

Penang Bridge

Stretching over 13.5 kilometers, linking Penang Island to the peninsular. The Penang Bridge is the longest bridge in South East Asia. The Symmetrical fan-shaped center span that rises to a height of 225 meters makes the bridge unique. Opened in 1985, the bridge took five year to construct.

St George Church

This is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia, originally modeled after a church in Madras, India. Named for the patron saint of England.

It was built in 1818 with the help of convict labour. The neo-classical architecture, of mainly Greek and Roman style, can be seen in the clean line of the building and this had remained relatively unchanged over the years. A memorial to Captain Francis Light stands in the front of the church.

Cathedral of the Assumption

It was in 1786 that Father Garnault founded the Assumption Church at Church Street to cater to the Catholic community, most of whom were the Portuguese Eurasians who had relocated from Phuket. Their arrival in Penang coincided with the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the church was named to commemorate this.

In 1861, the Church moved into a new building on Lebuh Farquhar, after being in temporary quarters for four years. This soon became the focal point of the Catholic community, with the new building being able to accommodate 1,200 parish members. In 1955, the Assumption Church became a Cathedral by decree of the Vatican.

Kuan Yin Temple

Kuan Yin Temple (Goddess of Mercy) was built in 1800 by the first group of Chinese immigrants who settled in Penang. It is Penang's oldest Chinese shrines. Festival are held here regularly in honour of the goddess and its popular among Chinese visitors and worshippers.

Penang Clock Tower

This 18.3 meter high Victoria Memorial Clock Tower at the junction of Jalan Tun Syed Barakbah and Lebuh Light was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's 1897 Jubilee.

The Tower was donated by a wealthy Penangites, Cheah Chen Eok. The 60ft-high (18.3m) tower symbolizing 60 years of the Queen's reign and only completed in 1902 when the Queen has passed away. It costed 35,000 Straits Dollars to build.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Built in 1801, this grand Indian-Muslim mosque was named after an Indian Muslim merchant Cauder Mydin Merican @ Kapitan Keling who was the headman of the Indian Muslim community.

This 19th century mosque features an ochre yellow facade and a dome-shaped minaret reflecting Moorish Islamic influence.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si Temple - One of the largest Buddhist Temple in South East Asia. The temple was built in 1886 stood majestically on a hill in Air Itam. It boasts the beautiful "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas" which blends Chinese, Myanmarese and Thai architecture.It is a Must See Landmark otherwise your visit to Penang will consider as incomplete.

Penang Butterfly Farm

Penang Butterfly Farm was established in March 1986 founded by Mr. David Goh. The Penang Butterfly Farm was inspired and encouraged by Mr. Clive Farrell, owner of the Stratford Butterfly Farm at Stratford-on-Avon

It was established with two main objectives which are to function as a tourist destination and to serve as a centre for education, recreation and scientific research. The farm is home to some 5,000 tropical butterflies of over 150 species. They fly freely in a high netted spaces. The farm also served as a museum of insects.

The Penang Butterfly Farm is now a "must-see" for visitors since it opened in 1986. The farm located right at the end of the tourist hotel strip at Batu Ferringhi stands on a 0.8 hector site in Teluk Bahang, about 17km from George town.

Note:

Visiting Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am till 5:50pm (Last visit at 5:00pm)
Weekends & Public Holidays: 9:00am till 6:00pm (Last visit at 5:30pm)

Admission Fee:
Adult: RM20.00
Children (4-12years old): RM10.00
MYKAD holder will get 50% discount
There is a RM5.00 imposed on each piece of Digital/ Video Camera.

Contact:
Tel: 60-4-8851253
Website: http://www.butterfly-insect.com
Email: info@butterfly-insect.com