ONE of the oldest temples in Penang, the Guan Imm Teng (or Kuan Yin Teng) along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling was once devoted to Ma Chor, the patron saint of seafarers. This reflected the spiritual needs of the first immigrants from China who were dependent on the sea for their living. As they became more sophisticated and urban, the temple too saw the need to devote itself to a more befitting patron saint. Kuan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy was soon chosen as she espoused values that were parallel to these desires.

This transition took place around the early 1800s. Interestingly, this temple is officially called Kong Hock Keong or "Temple of the Cantonese and Hokkien community". “The name Kong Hock Keong is derived from Kong for Kong Fu, meaning Cantonese, and Hock for Hokkien, and reflects the two main provinces in China from which the majority of the Chinese immigrants in Penang originate.” (Penang Travel Tips)

Founded in 1728, the temple was established before the clan temples which were basically built as a focal point at most clan houses such like the Khoo Kongsi. The Guan Imm Teng also reflected a time when the immigrant Chinese lived as a combined unit before the groups began to split into their own clans.

Nonetheless, the temple continues to be very popular among Chinese Taoists who gather there to worship especially on Temple Days on the first and 15th days of the Chinese calendar. Incidentally, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling is often known as the Street of Harmony in Penang with its various landmarks of worship, including the Guan Imm Teng.

Reference

• Kuan Yin Teng, George Town (Penang Travel Tips)

Related links

• Kuan Yin Teng Temple (Zoom Malaysia, 16.05.10)
• Devotion through the Centuries...The Goddess of Mercy Temple (Tourism Penang)
• Kuan Yin Teng Temple Penang (Jamie Pang, 21.02.10)
• The first Buddhist Taoist Temple in Penang (My Island Penang)
• Ma Choe Poh Folklore: Our Penang Folk Tale (My Island Penang)
• Penang Heritage Trail: Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng) (My Wise Wife)
• Goddess Of Mercy Temple Penang (Flickr)
• Penang Kuan Yin Pavillion (5xmom, You Tube, 06.12.2010)
• Goddess of Mercy Temple (kayes77, You Tube, 15.03.09)

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BUILT in 1897, the Church Street Pier was one the many points along the Penang Channel where small boats could unload their wares. Once a much busier waterway, the waterfront was an important centre of commerce, transport and social interaction. In its heyday, the habourfront area would be constantly bursting with ships, boats, sampan, junks, etc, and presented an image of total organised chaos.

The now redeveloped Church Street Pier is a high-end waterfront place alongside the newly built Tanjung Marina Club which provides services for yachts from all over the world. This redevelopment was part of the rehabilitation of the George Town waterfront undertaken by the federal government in order to enhance Penang as a tourist destination and serve as a catalyst for revitalising the inner city of Georgetown.

Related links

• Church Street Pier (pbase)
• Chin’s Stylish Chinese Cuisine for a Fine Dining Experience (What2see, 24.04.10)
• Penang Port to invest RM210m on new look (skyscrapercity, 29.11.04)

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THE fruit farms of Balik Pulau thrive with amazing arrays of tropical fruits from the months of June to August. Venture out to most markets and one would find rambutan, duku, langsat, cempedak, durian, mangosteen, etc, in abundance. While these fruits can be eaten as is, some fruit enthusiasts use them in recipes like in the famous Penang rojak, tempoyak, pickles, ice creams, shakes, etc.

Many of the farms retail these fruits fresh off the trees and organise hiking tours around the orchards. Many Penangites also swear that the durian that come from the orchards of Balik Pulau are the best in Malaysia.

Related links

• Balik Pulau Durian Farm Visit – Pondok Upeh (What2see, 15.06. 10)
• Hiking up to Balik Pulau Fruit Plantation (Tabblo, 13.06.09)
• Balik Pulau Lookout | Anjung Indah | Scenic View, Local Farm Fruits and Eateries (My Wise Wife, 18.05.09)

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LOCATED at the junction of Transfer Road and Northam Road (now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah), once known as the Millionaire's Row or Ang Mor Loh (White Men's Road), the building which housed the old Shih Chung Branch School has had a long and fascinating journey.

Now delapidated, this once glorious mansion was called Goh Chan Lau (literally meant five-storey bungalow) by the local Chinese. It was built by millionaire Cheah Tek Soon, founder and partner of Penang Khean Guan Insurance Company (the first Chinese insurance company in the Straits Settlement in year 1885). The Cheahs are one of the big five Hokkien families in the state.