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.