Though a relatively small island, Penang has plenty to offer, from wonderfully sandy beaches, to a vibrant modern city life, to spectacular cultural and historical attractions, to fantastic shopping, to arguably some of the best food in Malaysia. There are lots of attractions in Penang, with an array of temples, cultural and historical sites, and others.
Khoo Kongsi Temple
Known to be one of the finest and oldest Chinese clan house in the country, the Khoo Kongsi Temple is a spectacular one, with its ornate structure still well-preserved. The Khoo clan was founded in 1935, and the congretation house-temple was finished nine years later. The temple has two floors: The lower one being the Khoo Kongsi Clam Museum, and the top home to the palatial central hall, the ancestral hall, and the hall to the God of prosperity.
Cheong Fatt Tze (Blus Mansion)
Another important heritage site is the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion, a wonderfully well-preserved 18th and 19th-century Chinese structure. The mansion, which was once the home of an affluent Nanyang industrialist, was built surrounding the matters of Feng Shui, from 1896 to 1904.
Pinang Peranakan Mansion
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a perfect example of how an affluent Baba-Nyonya lived a century ago. The Babas and Nonyas, also known as the Peranakans, are one of Penang’s prominent cultures, with a unique mix of customs and traditions. The delightful mansion preserves the spectacular traditional settings, along with lots of antiques and artefacts.
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
Offering a cool atmosphere, contrary to the warm weather in the island, Penang Hill is one of the most popular attractions in Penang. Not only do you get a cooling getaway, but also spectacular panoramic views of the entire island from the top. Perhaps the best part about the hill is the fascinating funicular train which takes visitors to the top of the hill, where lies a restaurant, a mosque, a church, a Hindu temple, and even a snake show.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Standing proudly on top of a hill in Ayer Itam, the Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia. This enchanting temple, which was founded over a century ago, offers beautiful gardens and sacred temples. There is the extraordinary Pagoda of 1000 Buddhas, the statues of The Four Heavenly Kings, the huge bronze Kuan Yin statue on the hill, and other glorious panoramas.
The plethora of hot spots in Penang will keep any visitor spell-bound and in amazement. The most outstanding of them all consist of the city’s cultural and historical sites, for instance its temples and historical sites.
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