Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple — Attraction in George Town

Hean Boo Thean Temple 玄母殿 is a newly expanded Chinese temple at Merdeka Village off Weld Quay, in George Town, Penang. It is perched at water's edge within the reclamation area of Yeoh Jetty. The principal deity of Hean Boo Thean is the South Sea Bodhisattva Kuan Yin (南海观世音菩萨, Hokkien: Nam3 Hai4 Kuan3 Imm1 Hood3 Chor4), whose feast day falls on the 19th day of the 9th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. In addition there is a host of auxiliary deities venerated here. Dedicated to Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, this temple is perched on the waters of Weld Quay, thus considered the "floating temple". Hean Boo Thean was first built in 1972 on stilts, but was later strengthened and expanded in 2012 to withstand the tides. Now, the temple consists of 2 floors, the upper deck and the lower deck. The Temple is located just after Yeoh Pier. A work of art in its own right, this temple is even more breathtaking when it lights up in the evening. From afar, you can see this beautiful lighting from the lit lanterns and LED lights and pair it with its floating feature

Stunning views as reflected on the water in the night, a hidden gem surrounded by dense houses at busy famous place Weld Quay. You need to walk along several small alleys between houses to find this temple, but it is worth to try. From a distance of close up, just beautiful. You can take a picturesque shot of the temple in the foregound and the 13.5 km long Penang Bridge on the background horizon, fantastic, or the view to the mainland at Butterworth. A tranquil place next to the water if you want to take a break for a while, while visiting the very busy crowded place nearby at Weld Quay.

The original Hean Boo Thean Temple dates back to 1972, when it was just a humble shrine on stilts, perched over the sea. Due to its amphibious situation, it was often inundated during high tides. In May 2011, Hean Boo Thean underwent a reconstruction and expansion project that was completed in November 2012, at a cost of RM1.5 million. This included renovation and extension, and brought the total floor area of the complex to 12,000 sqft. The temple was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on 2 December 2012.

The new temple building is two storeys tall. It has a Lower Deck and an Upper Deck. At the centre of the Lower Deck is a lotus mural. The main featured on the lower deck is the Central Sanctuary, with prayer hall for a plethora of Chinese deities. The Central Sanctuary is finished with sculptured granite. The entrance has a plaque with the words "Hean Boo Thean" over the lintel, and couplets with gold inscriptions...

The temple was founded in 1728.Built at a cost of $4,000 Spanish dollars, it was dedicated to Mazu, a sea goddess worshipped by the Hokkiens as a patron for seafarers. At the time, Penang Island was sparsely populated and the temple, built by the seafaring Hokkiens was located relatively closer to the sea. The temple was renovated in 1800, during which the temple's main deity was changed from Mazu to Guan Yin. Other Chinese deities, including Guan Yu and Tua Pek Kong, were also added into the temple, reflecting the more diverse Chinese community in George Town by that point. Decades of Chinese immigration since the founding of George Town by Captain Francis Light in 1786 had resulted in several Chinese dialect groups establishing themselves within the new settlement, including the Cantonese. The temple began to play the role as a mediator site in the increasingly frequent disputes between the Hokkiens and the Cantonese. In its early years, it was run by a committee that consisted of equal numbers from the two ethnic groups. Thus, the temple was able to serve as a council and a tribunal for Penang's Chinese community up until the mid-19th century The worsening feud between the various Chinese ethnic groups in George Town, which culminated in the Penang Riots of 1867, eventually led to the establishment of the Penang Chinese Town Hall in 1881 to take over the temple's more secular role as an arbiter for the local Chinese community. From then on, the temple serves a more religious purpose amongst the local Chinese. The temple has been rumoured to possess magical qualities, as it miraculously survived the several attacks on the temple since its inception in 1728. For instance, the temple remained unscathed when the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) bombed and invaded Penang in December 1941, and survived a handful of other attacks before and during the 1960s. The temple was last renovated between...

Hean Boo Thean Temple (玄母殿) is a newly expanded Chinese temple at Lebuhraya Merdeka in Merdeka Park, off Weld Quay, in George Town, Penang. It is perched at water's edge within the reclamation area of Yeoh Jetty.

The original Hean Boo Thean Temple dates back to 1972, when it was just a humble shrine on stilts, perched over the sea. Due to its amphibious situation, it was often inundated during high tides. In May 2011, Hean Boo Thean underwent a reconstruction and expansion project that was completed in November 2012, at a cost of RM1.5 million. This included renovation and extension, and brought the total floor area of the complex to 12,000 sq ft. The temple was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on 2...