Landmarks ~ Places to Visit in Penang
Island
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PENANG ~
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Fort Cornwallis
Built by Sir Captain Francis Light from the British East India Company on
the cape of the island’s north eastern coast, overlooking the sea, it was
the Governor General in Bengal at that time -Charles Cornwallis. Structured
in a star-shapes configuration it and covering approximately 418 square
feet, it was used as an administrative and storage base
In order to protect the base from any foreign military
forces, pirates and even Kedah itself, Francis Light decided to build a fort
on the cape of the island’s north eastern coast, overlooking the sea -where
he first set foot.
The initial simple fort was
made out of only ‘nibong’ palm trunks as stockades, without any concrete
structures. Francis Light named the fort after the Governor General in
Bengal at that time – Charles Cornwallis.
The fort was only reinforced
with bricks years later again by Francis Light but under a different
Governor, designing it as a star-shape, covering approximately 418 square
feet.
And though, the intention of the fort was built to withhold and defend
attacks from enemy invasions, apparently no battles ever occurred throughout
the headship of the British company at the fort. In the end, it is used more
for administrative and storage base rather than a combat ground.
When visiting the fort, you will see the statue of the legendary Sir Captain
Francis Light overlooking the fort entrance. This bronze statue of the
historical colonial figure was sculpted by F.J. Wilcoxson in the year 1936 to
commemorate the 150th anniversary of Francis Light’s historic landing.
There are a total of seventeen cannons here;
the largest is called Sri Rambai which is placed alongside the fort’s
northwest perimeter.
The cannon, originally a gift
from the Dutch to the Sultan of Johor in 1606, was seized by the Portuguese,
taken to Java, then Acheh where it stayed until 1795, when it was given to
Acheh and brought to Kuala Selangor.
The British seized the cannon
and placed it in the fort in 1871. Located Nearby is a bunker structure that
was used to store gunpowder
There is also an old Christian chapel,
constructed in 1799 at the south west corner of the fort. This was the first
ever Christian chapel, as well as one of the earliest roofed structures in
Penang. Also here
The ever first Christian chapel, as well as one of the earliest roofed
structures in the history of Penang, can be found inside the fort. The small
modest chapel was constructed in 1799 at the south west corner of the fort,
just beside the jail cell.
Beside the chapel, there is
row of barracks and a small jail cell that are still in its origin state
which was built in 1811.
Fort Admission - RM2.00 (adult / 1.00 (Child)
Open Daily : 9.00am - 7pm
Wat Chayamangkalaram
(Reclining Buddha Temple)
This Thai Buddhist temple is well known for its 180 ft (33 metres), gold
plated statue of the reclining Buddha, which is said to be one of the
longest in the world. Built in 1845, the temple is an elegantly built with
characteristic Thai features with vibrant colours and mystical Thai figures.
Wat Chaiyamangkalaram reclining Buddha statue is adorned with gold leaf,
while the white of the eyes and the toenails are composed completely of
Mother-of-Pearl.
Its hair is pulled to a point which symbolizes Buddha's
greatest enlightenment. This is called the "enlightenment elevation" and is
symbolic of the spiritual power as one strives toward heaven.
Also, between the eyes is a
dot or "third eye" symbolic of spiritual vision. The reclining Buddha
represents Pra Buddhachaiya Mongkul, the historical Buddha, at his death.
This symbolizes complete peace and detachment from the world.
Behind the statue are
countless niches with urns containing ashes of devotees. The interior of the
temple is decorated with images of Buddha covered with gold foil, while on
its walls are painting of the Buddha’s life. The temple hall in which this
Buddha is housed is also called the Hall of the Thousand Buddha's. You will
see on the walls hundreds of little golden sculptures.
The temple is located at Burma Road (Lorong Burma, opposite another Buddhist
temple, the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, on the road from Georgetown to Batu
Feringghi.
Penang Hill
The most convenient way up to Penang Hill ior Bukit Bendera as it is known
locally, is by means of the Penang Hill Railway, a funicular railway from
Air Itam to the top of Flagstaff Hil.
The most convenient way up to
Penang Hill is by means of the Penang Hill Railway, a funicular railway from
Air Itam to the top of Flagstaff Hil. The railway journey (2km) takes about
half an hour.
With an elevation of 833m (2,723ft) above sea level, Penang Hill offers not
only a cooler respite, but also the best panorama of George Town, and
eastern coast of Penang Island. The core summit area has an average
temperature ranging from 21° to 27°C.
Penang Hill Railway
Tickets: Foreigners - RM30 (Adult) / RM15 (Child) & Malaysians - RM8 (Adult)
/ RM4 Child)
Operating Hrs
(when the first train leaves the bottom of the hill until the last train
leaves the top of the hill)
Weekdays - 06:30am – 08.00pm / Weekends, Public & School Holidays - 06:30am
– 10.00pm.
Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the best known temples on the island with its iconic the seven storey
main pagoda called the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas.
This pagoda combines a Chinese
octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown;
reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
There is also a 30.2m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin located on the hillside
above the pagoda.
This pagoda combines a Chinese
octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown;
reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. The
temple consists of many prayer halls, pagodas, bell towers and just about
every other typical temple structure you can think of, in varying styles
from Burmese to Chinese to Thai.
Along the path that is leading up to the temple, you will be bombarded by
hawkers selling all kinds of souvenir, T shirt and other memorabilia's.
Opening hours: 8.30am - 5.30pm
Incline lift fee for Adults : RM 6 (2 ways),Children : RM 3 (2 ways)
Entrance Fee for Pagoda : RM 2 Per Person
Tropical Spice Garden
Situated on the hills of Teluk Bahang is a landscaped garden that consist of
exotic as well as endemic tropical plants from all over the world,
With some 500 varieties of
tropical herbs and spices, you can smell the nice aroma of the perfumed
plants upon entering the grounds.
A tranquil setting that offers
respite away from the city, where the views at some parts in the garden is
quite breathtaking.
There are 3 walking trails that take you through the beautiful flora of the
garden.
Each trail is about a 20 minutes’ walk with fair bit of up and down hill
trek:
Spice Trail - Over 100 varieties of tropical spice and herbs plant
Ornamental Trail - A huge collection of exotic flora
Jungle Trail - A showcase of ferns, wild orchids, palms and other
significant jungle flor
Within the grounds of the Tropical Spice Garden is Lone Crag Villa, a
colonial-era holiday bungalow, which had been converted into the Visitor
Centre. It houses the Spice Museum, which showcases the history of spices in
the region, and the Garden Shop, which make available for sale some of the
exotic plants of the garden. There is also a cafe and a gift shop
Visiting hours are from 9a.m. to 6p.m. daily
Entrance – RM 13 (Adult) / RM 5 (Child). Francis Xavier.
George Town ~ Places to Visit
& Sightseeing in Penang
Best Way to Visit -
2 to 3 Days to Penang Overland Tours
Overland Tours from K. Lumpur that takes in some leisurely sights along the
way and tour around Penang Island.
PLACES & SIGHTSEEING ~ OVERLAND TOURING FROM KL
• TOURING NORTH TO PENANG •
PENANG ISLAND •
MALACCA
• TAMAN NEGARA
•
PANGKOR ISLAND •
CAMERON HIGHLANDS •
LANGKAWI • PENINSULA OVERLAND
