Kuan Yin Temple 1880 — Attraction in George Town

An iconic and important landmark of Penang. The temple known as the Goddess of Mercy Temple or Temple of the Goddess of Mercy is one of the oldest and most important Chinese temples in Penang, built in 1728, this is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang.

The Kuan Yin Temple in Georgetown is devoted to the Goddess of Mercy and is one of the main centres of worship for the Chinese Taoists in the city. Also known as Kuan Yin Teng, it is also home to the worship of Ma Chor Ooh, the patron saint of seafarers.

The temple is dedicated to the Taoist deities and Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy, Guan Yin. However, it had been originally established for the worship of Mazu, a sea deity. Following the establishment of George Town in 1786, droves of Chinese migrants flocked to the city, causing the transition of the temple into one dedicated to Guan Yin by 1824 by then, it also began to function as a neutral mediator between the rival Cantonese and Hokkien communities

Steeped in Chinese architecture, the temple features sweeping roofs typical of Chinese temples and has gigantic doors adorned with paintings of Taoist and Buddhist deities. Dragon-entwined pillars support the high roof as well, which is decorated with more dragon figurines at its top ridges. The temple is fronted by a large courtyard that faces Pitt Street to the east. It was built according to feng shui principles; it has three wells – one to the right of the main shrine, another at the front courtyard and the third hidden under the main altar of Guan Yin. The courtyard well is for public use, while the one beside the main shrine is reserved for monks. Urban legend has it that the water from the hidden well has...

My visit to this Chinese Temple was during a Heritage Walking Tour of buildings that is deemed UNESCO World Heritage Site properties and Georgetown Panang Malaysia is full of them.

The temple is still very much in operation and people still went to pray, it's free and open to the public, but you can help donate by purchasing little things like sticks and incense or craft that is made inside the temple.

During festivals I could see it being a bustling and vibrant...

One of the historical Kuan Yin Temple in Penang. You may take the jossstick right out the front entrance and donate as you wish OR you have an option to purchase from the store at the side to support small businesses.

You can here during Chinese New Year to see it decorated with red lantern and if you have the opportunity to visit at the eve of CNY around 12am, you'll have chance to see Lion Dance...