Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Penang is famous for its historical significance and lively street life, delicious cuisine, and beautiful landscapes. As the “food capital of Malaysia”, Penang offers delicious dishes, such as Char Kway Teow, Penang Laksa, Nasi Kandar, and more. Gurney Drive and Penang Road are the best spots for food enthusiasts.

Besides, Penang's stunning landscapes, like Penang Hill and National Park, are also popular tourist destinations; breathtaking views from the summit, trekking trails, beautiful beaches, and the Langur Way Canopy Walkway are exposed there. Nevertheless, Penang also has cultural-themed attractions, like Buddhist and Chinese temples showcasing the island’s diverse religious traditions. Some prominent mentioned temples in Penang are:

As the largest temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si combines Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architectural styles, featuring a variety of statues, pavilions, and prayer halls. The main attraction of the temple is the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas (Ban Po Thar); a seven-tiered pagoda housing a vast number of Buddha statues and offering mesmerizing panoramic views of the surrounding area. At the entrance, the impressive bronze statue of Kuan Yin, The Goddess of Mercy, is standing.

There are also many other statues and sculptures throughout the temple grounds. The main hall of the temple has a large prayer hall where devotees come to pray and participate in religious ceremonies. One unique spot of the temple is the turtle and fish liberation pools; there, the devotees release turtles and fish as symbols of saving lives, generating good karma, and participating in acts of compassion.

Located in Air Itam, Penang, it opens daily from 8.30 am-5.30 pm, Kek Lok Si is a popular tourist destination and a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The temple complex is also illuminated during special occasions and festivals.

Situated in Lorong Burma opposite Wat Chayamangkalaram, Dhammikamara is the only Burmese temple in the state and the central point for the annual Water, Thingyan, Mid-Autumn, and Buddhist Lent festivals in the city.

The temple serves as a retreat for Buddhists, with monks’ quarters, teachers’ lodges, and a library within the temple grounds. You'll find Buddha and mythical creature statues, such as elephants, fishes, and garuda (a bird-like figure) representing the “three realms of land, air, and sea”. Thechinthemeaning ‘lion’ is another prominent creature in the temple with the compound featuring a gardening landscape. Its operating hours are every day at 9 am-5 pm and there is no entrance fee.

Wat Chayamangkalaram is the oldest Siamese temple in Malaysia, located in Pulau Tikus. Different from Dhammikarama Temple, Wat Chayamangkalaram is the major point for the city's annual festivals, like Songkran (Thai New Year’s national holiday), Loy Krathong(float ritual vessel or lamp), and Vesak Day. Known for its reclining Buddha statue, it portrays the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter parinirvana. He is lying on the right side with his head resting on a cushion or his own right elbow. Other mythical creatures, like Yakshas (nature spirit) and Devas (a god-like creature), are also found throughout the temple, particularly in the main prayer hall. This Buddha temple in Penang is open daily between 6 am and 5.30 pm, and the entrance is free.

Kuan Yin Temple can also be called Goddess of Mercy Temple, since it is built as a dedication to Guan Yin, Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy. This temple retains its religious significance amongst Penangites of Chinese descent and remains a focal point for Chinese annual festivities, like the feast days Guan Yin and Jade Emperor's (representation of the first god in Chinese culture) birthday.

Built based on Chinese architecture, the temple features sweeping roofs with dragon-entwined pillars supporting the roofs. There are also three wells in the temple: the first is on the right side of the main shrine reserved for monks, the second is in front of the courtyard that is for public use, and the other is hidden under the main altar of Guan Yin, believed to be a medicinal property. As any other temples, the entrance is free; it is open every day between 8 am-6 pm.

The famous Khoo Kongsi is the grandest Hokkien clan house in the country. Located in the Cannon Square of George Town, the temple retains its historic setting, including an association building, a traditional theater, the houses for clan members. While it may not be as central to community activities, like education, social gatherings, and such, as it once was, it remains a favorite spot for tourists fascinated by the local culture. Its operational hours are every day between 9 am and 5 pm, with around RM 15 admission fee.

Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple was created to honor the main deity of the Hokkien people in Penang. The design of the temple serves both practical and historical purposes, providing privacy and, in the past, enabling a quick retreat for a small army during events like the incident in 1867.

At that time, it was a local Hokkien community’s religious site, military barracks, and business headquarters. Inside the temple, there are lots of artifacts, statues, paintings, antique furniture, and weaponries. You can visit this site on Monday-Friday at 9 am-5 pm, and do not have to pay for the admission fee.

This Chinese temple in Armenian Street of George Town is associated with the Cheah clan. It was built in 1858 and completed in 1873. The main prayer hall houses three altars located on the upper floor of the building.

If you are interested in learning the culture, history, and heritage of Cheah clans, this site is the best place to stop by. You will get around what is inside the temple, including the ancestral hall, entrance arch (the ornamental arch fully restored to its original form where you can find Cheah Kongsi clan house after walking through this alley), interpretation center (the most visited display and exhibition center of Cheah clan’s history, culture, and heritage), new office, mural-painted spots (the mural illustrated based on a few descendants of Seh Tek Tong Cheah and some major archives), and cemetery.

If you plan a visit to this 9 am-5 pm temple, please pay by cash only for RM 10/pax for adults, RM 5/pax for kids, and RM 2/pax for student groups at the ticket office, with several terms and conditions applied.

When visiting cultural and religious sites, it is important to be respectful of the practices. While each temple may have different rules and customs, these are some general dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

By following these dos and don’ts, you can create a respectful and positive experience. Practices may vary in every religious tradition and cultural context, so remember to observe and follow the local customs. If you are not very sure about what to do, asking the locals is always a good idea.

Those are famous Buddhist and Chinese Temples in Penang along with their brief histories, architectural designs, statues and sculptures, and other recommended attractions within the temples. Their operating hours and entrance fees are also written down for the visitors planning a visit to these cultural and religious sites. To make more well-arranged trip’s plans and itineraries, look up hotels and fun activities to decide what things to do in your destinations.