Exploring the Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple
Tanjong Tokong, Penang
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The Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple is the "tokong" (Chinese temple) that gave its name to the cape on the northeast side of Penang Island. (Note: Tanjong Tokong is spelled Tanjung Tokong according to standard Malay spelling, but AsiaExplorers prefers to retain the spelling of place names in their original forms.)
Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple, Armenian Street, Penang.
The Tua Pek Kong Temple is dedicated to the Taoist god of prosperity, whose title literally translates as the Great-Grand Uncle. This temple, like the Hock Teik Cheng Sin, popularly known as the Hokkien Tua Pek Kong Temple at Armenian Street, is managed by the Poh Hock Seah, a society that came into being after the Khian Teik secret society was outlawed by the British authorities in 1890.
The Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple is noted for its annual flame watching ritual, called Chneah Hoay. This takes place on the 14th night of the Chinese New Year. In this ceremony, embers in a ceremonial urn are fanned until the flames leaped up. The coming year's fortune is divined in the conflagration.
Facing the temple is an abandoned lookout with sitting area. These were sponsored by Aw Boon Haw of Tiger Balm fame. Nearby is an open-air restaurant famous for its seafood. The retaining wall along the coast was badly damaged in the 2004 tsunami, but has since been repaired. The rocks and seaside pavilions are a favourite spot for anglers.
Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple Photo Gallery
Gateway to the Tua Pek Kong Temple.
Main chamber of the Tua Pek Kong temple.
Guardian lion outside the temple.
Return to Penang Travel Tips for more information and tourist attractions in Penang!
Go to Chinese Temples in Penang for list of Chinese Temples.
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