Visit beautiful temples in George Town, Penang

Around Penang Island you will find plenty of Penang Temples, Mosques and Churches from all faiths, Malay, Indian, Chinese and old Colonial Churches built during the British rule of the island. Below you will find the beautiful temples in Penang to visit.

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

Situated right across the street from Wat Chaiyamangalaran Temple, Dhammikarama Temple is a Burmese Buddhist temple. It is interesting to visit it after visiting the Wat Chaiyamangalaran Temple which is a Thai Buddhist temple and try to notice the differences between them.

This temple was built in 1803 and it now includes several statues and buildings. With splashes of colors and statues which feature mythical creatures, this temple is definitely one of the most beautiful temples in George Town, Penang.

Kek Lok Si

If you move away from the coastline towards inner Penang island, you will find this majestic castle-like temple featuring a 99-feet-tall (30.2 meter) statue of the Goddess of Mercy. With several different temple halls and walkways to link them together, the hodgepodge architecture (incorporating the best of Chinese, Thai and Burmese designs) reflects the amalgamation of different Buddhist sects, including Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism.

Yap Kongsi Temple

Just a few meters away from Khoo Kongsi Temple is the Yap Kongsi Temple. Built in 1924, this temple is also a clan house for the people in the Yap Chinese clan. The origin of the Yap clan starts in 439 BC when warrior Shen Zhu Liang defeated the troops of the Qin Dynasty. In return, Shen received a piece of land which was called the Yap district. He took the Yap surname and Yap clan was born.

The Yap Kongsi Temple’s architecture is impressive although the temple is a bit smaller than the others in this article. If you are planning to see the George Town street art or visit Clan Jetties of Penang, you should definitely visit the Yao Kongsi Temple too.

Wat Chayamangkalaram

Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai Temple in Penang famous for its large gold plated Reclining Buddha (not a Sleeping Buddha), which at 33 metres, is one of the largest in the world and not too easy to get the whole length in a photograph, as you can see below.

Hean Boo Thean (Kuan Yin) Temple

Hean Boo Thean Temple is one of the hidden gems of George Town. If you want to avoid the crowds from the more famous temples, a visit to Hean Boo Thean is a great opportunity to explore the Malay culture. Dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, this temple was built in 1972.

Also called the ‘floating temple’ of George Town, Hean Boo Thean Temple was initially much smaller (a shrine built on stilts) but it was fortified over the years to face the tides. Hean Boo Thean Temple is definitely one of George Town’s best temples.

See more: What to eat when traveling to Penang, Malaysia

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What to see in George Town, Penang

If there is one area in Malaysia you have to visit, it is George Town. The capital of Kuala Lumpur may have its twin towers and Kota Kinabalu may have its imposing mountain, but George Town has the art, heritage and excellent food.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Standing on a hilltop at Air Itam, Kek Lok Si is Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, comprising a series of monasteries, prayer halls, temples and beautifully-landscaped gardens. A national icon, built in 1890, the ten-acre site is divided into three zones: the lower level of the complex comprises the hill entrance, souvenir, food and drinks stalls and the turtle liberation pond. The middle section houses temples, gardens, a pagoda and the four heavenly kings pavilion, while the hilltop is home to an enormous statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin as well as more gardens and temples.

Clan Jetty

Situated near the Penang ferry terminal, the Clan Jetties in George Town are water villages dominated by seven historic Chinese clans. In the early 1900s, the clans played out a bitter rivalry over the monopoly of cargo and access to the waterways. These water villages ‘float’ above the water on stilts and are typically made of wood and aluminium. Communal houses normally include a long walkway and a small temple.

Penang Street Art

Making a stroll through George Town’s streets even more interesting, in 2012 Penang’s municipal council hired London-trained Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, and tasked him with breathing new life into some of the atmospheric Chinese shop-houses around the inner city. An effort to spawn awareness of the rich history of the streets, the project was a success with Zacharevic turning certain areas into thriving tourist destinations that also became the much-talked about object of attention among locals.

Penang 3D Trick Art Musuem

This might be the most family-friendly attractions in George Town. A musuem with decorated rooms designed for comical photos and optical illusions, you might just know what it is based on the name. Spend your afternoon here to have fun, unleash your creativity and inner child.

Read more: Penang, the Pearl of the Orient

Fort Cornwallis

The largest standing fort in Malaysia, this was built by Captain Francis Light when he first took over Penang in 1786. Initially built as defense against piracy and other outside threats, now it has become one of the most historical tourist spot, as well as event and wedding photo shoot venue. Surrounded by greens, today, you could still see cannons standing strong at every corner of the wall. This is by far one of the best attractions in George Town.

Hin Bus Depot

The elegant remains of this former bus station have become a vibrant hub for George Town's burgeoning contemporary art scene. Half a dozen art studios and a gallery host exhibitions (ranging from sculpture to photography), an arts-and-crafts market every Sunday (11am to 5pm), and art-house movies and documentaries on Tuesdays. The open-air areas are bedecked with street art.

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