Penang

“Penang” or Pulau Pinang in Malay means “island of the areca nut palm”, also known as ‘Pearl of the Orient’. George Town, which is the capital of Penang, located on a cape to the northeast of the island. Penang is a highly urbanised state and one of the most developed state in Malaysia. In 2013, Yahoo! announced that Penang as one of the “8 Great Places to Retire Abroad”, Penang was the only nominated Asia city.

Penang known as the hawker paradise because got some reasons. The Penang residents are strongly support the Penang hawker it is because mostly find it easily and the food are cheaper and can eat anytime during the day or the night. Penang is the one of Malaysia that is most diverse food to show, the food are mixed from the Malay, Thai and others and that is become the characteristic of its island. In 2014, Lonely Planet the world largest travel guidebook publisher voted Penang as the top culinary destination. CNN Travel also ranked Penang as one of the top ten street food in Asia.

Kak Lok Si

 

Kek Lok Si is one of the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, also known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, one of the famous in Penang. It was located in Air Itam, the hill in that area called ‘He San’ in Chinese or Crane Hill, the temple having a very good ‘Feng Shui’ based on the geometric. Chinese New Year celebrations is the best time to visit Kek Lok Si, there are thousands of bright hanging lanterns adorned by the temple. The main attraction is Rama VI (10, 000 Buddha Pagoda) striking seven-storey Pagoda completed in 1930, the alabaster and bronze Buddha statues symbolises the harmony between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, marrying a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, Burmese crown topped. Another popular attraction is the 30.2m bronze Kuan Yin statue, Kuan Yin also known as The Goddess of Mercy. The opening hours from 7 morning until 9 night daily.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

 

The Sri Mahamariamman Temple is located in George Town. This temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, at the same location since 200 years ago. Sri Mahamariamman became a worship place since 1801 and in 1833 enlarged became into a temple. At the main entrance of the temple, visitors can see the amazing sculptures of Gods and Goddess. This temple also known as Sri Arulmigu Mahariamman Temple, Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple, Maramian Temple and Queen Street India Temple. Statues of Hindu deities like Lord Subrmiam, Durga and Ganapathy also present inside the temple. During Deepavali and Thaipusam, Sri Mahariamman Temple will be fill with thousands of devotees making offerings. The temple open from 6.30 a.m. until 12 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. until 9 p.m. daily.

Snake Temple

 

Snake Temple is a Chinese temple that located at Bayan Lepas, this type of temple could be the only temple in the world. The burning incense smoke and pit vipers filled the whole temple. The vipers are believe harmless by the sacred smoke but the snakes have been devenomed as a safety precaution. Visitors are encourage not to picking up the snakes and put on the body to take picture without supervision. The temple built in memory of a Buddhist monk called Chor Soo Kong, also known as Qingshui about year 1850. Chor Soo Kong was born during Dynasty of Song, around year 960 to year 1279 in China. He was ordained when he was young and serious looking for spiritual attainment. Chor Soo Kong also a healer according to the legend, sometimes make a snake shelter in the jungle.  The good deeds done by Chor Soo Kong in his lifetime before he pass away at 65, he been received the honorific title Chor Soo, luminaries who respected generation by generation. The snakes appeared by themselves after the temple was done the construction. “Temple of the Azure Cloud” was the original name of the temple, in honor of the beauty of the Penang’s sky. Taiwanese and Singaporean believers often come to Snake Temple to pray during the birthday of Chor Soo Kong is on the sixth day of the first lunar month. Admission of Snake Temple is free of charge. The opening hours of Snake Temple are from morning 6 o’clock until night 7 o’clock.

Penang Peranakan Mansion

 

Penang Peranakan Mansion, introducing the historical Peranakan culture to the people in Penang’s way, displays more than thousands pieces of Baba-Nyonya collectibles and antiques. It is a remarkable sight, housed in one of the heritage mansions in Penang. Built at the end of the 19th century, English tiles with eclectic mix, ironworks by Scottish and European continental furniture and art along with Chinese carved-wood panels can found inside the Penang Peranakan Mansion. A stunning combination of unlike artefacts and antiques, the Penang Peranakan Mansion was once the Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee’s office and home. It also known as the Hai Kee Chan or “Sea of Remembrance Store”, earlier owner of Penang Peranakan Mansion not a Baba, but he was a trader, leader of secret society and all-round community pillar.

Hokkien Mee

 

First, the Hokkien Mee or Hae Mee, known as Hokkien prawn noodle. Hokkien mee is served in both Malaysia and Singapore, where is the immigrants brought from the southeastern China's Fujian. Hokkien mee consists of vermicelli and yellow noodle, served with prawns, which is the main ingredient of the dish, meat slices, bean sprouts and kangkung known as water spinach in a rich and spicy prawn and pig stock topped with fried shallots. A tablespoon of chilli paste served alongside it. Additional ingredient is applicable such as fish balls, cubes of pig blood, crabmeat chitterlings, pork ribs, pork leg and pork belly. Halal version of Hokkien mee also available in some places, the dish will use the ingredient like chicken meat instead of pork. The pricing range of Hokkien mee is start from RM 3 to RM 6.

Nasi Kandar

 

Second, the Nasi Kandar is an Indian-Muslim or Mamak dish, a plain or flavoured steamed rice served with variety of curries and side dishes. The most famous Nasi Kandar would be Nasi Kandar Beratur known as Queue-Up Nasi Kandar located at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. The original recipe of Nasi Kandar Beratur claimed since 1943. The uniqueness of this restaurant is open at 10p.m., seems a little bit strange but it make sense as it is one of the few restaurant that stay late open. Nasi Kandar Beratur is the best choice for locals and foreigners.