Monday, 5 December 2011
PENANG PHOTO GALLERY
Penang embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world charm. These are reflected in its harmonious multiracial populace and well-preserved heritage buildings which led to George Town being accorded a listing as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site recently. Long regarded as the food capital of Malaysia, Penang also entices visitors with its beautiful coasts and scrumptious cuisines.
Read more: Penang Photo Gallery : Georgetown http://www.penang.ws/photos/georgetown.htm#ixzz1fgGMGqRX
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PLACES OF INTEREST IN PENANG
Penang Museum and Art Gallery Lubus Farquhar  Built in 1821, the Museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, charts and other historical relics. There are also Malay daggers (Keris), Chinese furniture, embroidery and paintings of old Penang. The Art Gallery on the first floor displays the works of local artists and is the venue for special exhibitions. The statue of Captain Francis Light graces the grounds in front of the buildings.Opening hours: Daily from 9 am-5 pm, Friday from 9 am-12.15 pm & 2.45 pm-5 pm. Entrance fee: RM1.00. | Acheen Street Mosque, Lebuh Acheen Also known as Masjid Melayu, the mosque was built on land donated by Syed Sheriff Tengku Syed Hussain Aidid who came from Acheh in Sumatera. The 1820 mosque features a small window halfway up the minaret which is said to have originally been a hole made by a cannonball fired during the 1867 triad riots. Permission to enter must be obtained from mosque officials. |
Kapitan Keling Mosque, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling It was named after the Indian Muslim merchant, the "Kapitan Keling" (headman) Caudeer Mohudeen who built it in the early 19th century. It features an ocher yellow facade and dome-shaped minaret reflecting Moorish Islamic influence.Permission to enter must be obtained from mosque officials. | Sri Mariamman Temple, Lebuh QueenThe temple, built in 1883, features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and on its facade. Housed within its ornately decorated interior is priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emerald. The statue figures prominently in the annual Thaipusam festival when it is borne on a silver chariot through the city streets to the temple at Jalan Waterfall. Opening hours: Morning to late evening. Permission to enter must be obtained from temple officials. |
Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon
The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as a clan-house for members of the Khoo family. It was burnt down in 1894 and some believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace. A scaled down version was later built in 1902. The building features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.
Opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday & 9 am - 1 pm, Saturday.
Permission to enter must be obtained from the Kongsi officials.
The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as a clan-house for members of the Khoo family. It was burnt down in 1894 and some believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace. A scaled down version was later built in 1902. The building features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.Opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday & 9 am - 1 pm, Saturday.
Permission to enter must be obtained from the Kongsi officials.
St George's Church, Lebuh FarquharBuilt with convict labor in 1818, it is one of the oldest landmarks in the city. The entrance of this stately Anglican Church named after the patron saint of England, features a memorial canopy dedicated to Captain Francis Light. | Goddess of Mercy Temple, Jalan Kapitan Keling One of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang, the Kuan Yin Teng or the Goddess of Mercy Temple was built in 1800 by early immigrant settlers from China. The building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and stone sculptured lions which are said to be its guardians. The temple is flocked by pilgrims and followers all year round especially during the three anniversaries of Kuan Yin which are on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar month. |
China TownChina Town on the island stretches from Weld Quay to Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh Muntri, Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh King. China Town is so large and well-preserved that you will sense and feel the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant settlers who came here in the 1800s. Visitors will be intrigued by the many clanhouses, shophouses and temples found along these streets, which reflect the heritage left behind. Stepping into these streets will certainly take you back in time. Nagore Shrine, Lebuh KingConstructed in the early 1880s, the shrine is a memorial to the Caliph, Syed Shahul Hamid. Faithful devotees may be seen visiting the shrine to seek favors on Thursday. | University of Science Malaysia's (USM) Museum and Art Gallery, MindenThe museum houses a collection of artifacts on Malay and Nyonya cultures, textiles, prints, traditional jewelry and daggers (Keris). One section is devoted to the performing arts. The art gallery has a fine collection of paintings. Opening hours: 10 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday (closed between 12:15 - 2:45 pm on Friday), 10 am - 1 pm on Saturday. Permission to visit should be obtained from the security guards at the main gate. City Hall, Esplanade  Built in the 1880s, this stately colonial building is a fine example of British Palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.Clock Tower, Pesara King EdwardTowering 60 feet high, the clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. |
Fort Cornwallis, Lebuh Light  The fort was built on the site of Francis Light's historic landing in 1786. Originally a wooden stockade, it was replaced by a concrete structure built by convict labor, in 1804. Today, an open-air amphitheater, a history gallery and a handicraft and souvenir center occupies the interior. It houses the famous Dutch cannon presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch and which finally found its way to Penang after being looted by the Portuguese.Opening hours: 8:30 am - 7 pm, Admission: RM 1.00 per person. | Snake Temple  Built in 1850 and dedicated to the deity Chor Soo Kong, the temple is located 3.2 km from the Penang International Airport. It is a sanctuary for pit-vipers said to be the 'servants' of the deity. These poisonous snakes, seen coiled round the pillars, beams and potted plants within the temple are believed to be rendered harmless by the smoke of the burning incense.Admission is free. |
State Mosque, Jalan Masjid NegeriThe state Mosque features elegant modern architecture and took four years to complete. It can accommodate 5,000 worshippers for congregational prayers and is usually packed on Friday. Permission to enter must be obtained from the State Religious Department, Lebuh Pantai. Visitors must dress appropriately and remove their shoes before entering. | Komtar, Jalan Penang  The Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, a prominent Penang landmark, houses Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants. The 65-story complex also contains theaters, squash courts and a geodesic dome which serves as a multi-purpose hall, while the 55th floor offers a panoramic view of the city and on clear days, also of Gunung Jerai in Kedah. |
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