Penang Things to Do Tips by longsanborn

We visited the Butterfly Farm in Teluk Bahang, Penang, a sanctuary for over 120 species of rare and exotic tropical butterflies. The farm is complete with a hatchery and a "Preserved Butterflies of the World" museum.

The farm is home to up to 3,000 living specimens of over 50 species of colourful and charming butterflies. Situated on an area of eight hectares, it is the world's first tropical live butterfly farm. Apart from the butterflies, there are also frogs, fishes, and other insects here living in their natural habitat. The beauty of the place is enhanced by a lily pond, a rock garden, and artificial waterfalls. Other attractions at the farm include a breeding area, laboratory, exhibition area, souvenir shops and an information centre.

While I was looking at the preserved butterflies, I found a beautiful butterfly with my name on it (see picture); and it's in blue color, one of my favorite colors.

You can read more about the Butterfly from this website:
http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/article.cfm?id=50

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Address: Teluk Bahang
Directions: Hin Bus No 93 (catch it at Lebuh Chulia) runs from Georgetown all the way along the north coast of the island as far as Teluk Bahang. This butterfly farm is only one kilometre walk south from the bus stop in Teluk Bahang.

The ornate gilded roof of this 200 year old temple beckons as one walks down Burma Lane; past hawker staffs selling food and souvenir stalls selling tacky knick-knacks. A pair of stone elephants at the entrance serve as silent reminders of the sanctity within.

Mythical figures and religious icons dot the spacious and well-kept compound inside - among them, bell-bearing acolytes, myriad buddhas, chimeras and flying beings. Two huge and imposing-looking chi lings (a fabulous being that is a hybrid of a dragon, horse and a lion) flank the entrance to the main prayer hall. Chi lings are traditionally used in feng shui to deflect evil.

Next to an unused 200 year-old well is a huge man-made water catchment filled with carps. Buddha statues in different meditative poses nestle in grottos marked with the names of individual donors. A pair of winged chimeras called Panca Rupa look resplendent in the roles as "Guardian Protectors of the World."

There is a nice huge mural depicting the Great Renunciation of Prince Siddharta (see picture). The future Buddha is 'captured' riding his steed Kanthaka in mid-air with his faithful servant Channa seemingly hanging on for dear life. Evil beings on one side try to discourage him from his noble quest while the good ones on the other side welcome him with open arms. It's all done very tastefully.

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Address: Lorong Burma
Directions: Between Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi area approx 10 mins from Georgetown

This is the largest Buddhist temple in Penang. The colossal size is due to the reputed third longest reclining Buddha in the world. Measuring some 33 metres (108ft) from toe to tip of headgear, Wat Chaiya's reclining Buddha takes pride of place alongside other Buddha colossi found in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and China.

The Wat Chaiya was built in 1845 on five acres of land donated by Queen Victoria to the Thai community. The architecture is authentic down to the last bit of gold paint on the pagodas - so much so that one feels transported to another place and time when wandering about the sprawling grounds. Like the Burmese temple across the road, one is likely to encounter mythical beings and religious icons which dot the grounds.

Walking towards the main temple, visitors are greeted by awesome looking green-faced beings standing guard before the temple entrance. Crawling at their feet are 2 huge dragon-headed serpents. Unlike the western culture (read Caucasian), Oriental mythology teaches that serpents and dragons are propitious beings and not to be feared.

The significance behind the reclining Buddha in the Wat Chaiya, with the head resting in the palm of the right hand, with the head pointing northwards, signifies enlightenment or Nirvana. Underneath the reclining Buddha are niches where ashes of the deceased are kept.

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Address: Lorong Burma

Kek Lok Si temple is one of the largest and finest Buddhist temple complexes in South-east Asia. Standing majestically on a hill in Air Itam, this temple built in tiers culminates the beautifully crafted ''Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas''. Construction of this temple complex commenced in 1915 and took more than 20 years to build which features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful sculptures. There are many souvenir shops leading up to the temple which offers good buys. And as for food lovers, famous hawker food stalls are lined up near the Air Itam market.

The Kek Lok Si project was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular representative of China in Penang at the time, the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.

During festival times, especially the Chinese or Lunar New Year, the entire Kek Lok Si complex is strung with tens of thousands of lanterns and lights representing donations by devotees. When lit up during the evenings, the temple is literally transformed into a fairyland of lights.

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Address: Ayer Itam
Directions: near Ayer Itam, close to funicular

If you have only a very short time in Penang, then you should go to Gurney Drive, located on the northern side of George Town, towards Tanjung Bunga. There is a seafront promenade that spans the length of Gurney Drive, where locals take their early morning walks or jog, or just enjoying the sea breeze.

The Gurney Drive hawker stall area is a collection of stalls selling all the specialities of Penang. The action starts at 6pm when hawkers start setting up their stalls, preparing ingredients and lining up their tables & chairs. But Gurney Drive is not just an area for hawker stalls anymore. Stylish and elegant cafes, bars and restaurants springing up around the area in recent years. Gurney Drive isn't just a favourite of the locals. On any given day, you can always find tourists around hawker stalls, curiously looking and taking time to decide on what to eat.

When ordering any savoury dishes from the hawker stalls, be sure to specify if you want mild rather than spicy. The locals here love their food extra hot and spicy. The stall owners will be more than happy to oblige to your request.

Business runs late into wee hours of the morning before finally closing at about 5.00 am on weekends, or roughly 3.00 am on weekdays.

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The famous beaches of Penang include Tanjung Bunga, Batu Ferringhi, and Teluk Bahang and they all offer scenic delights of a tropical island paradise.

Along the north-western coastline, on the opposite side of the island from Georgetown, lie some of the finest and least known beaches on the island. Sparkling sea, powdery white sand, and sunlight filtering through coconut groves awaits those who are willing to hike the jungle paths that are the beaches' only access. The effort is more than worthwhile.

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Address: Tanjung Bunga and further north
Directions: Up north