▲ Buddhist Temple Wat Buppharam, also known as the Hugging Buddha Temple. It earned the name "Hugging Buddha Temple" because it houses a unique Buddha statue that devotees can hug to receive blessings, alleviate worries, or make wishes. The hugging Buddha statue is called Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, said to be around 1,000 years old, approximately 30 cm tall, and weighing about 5 kg. It was brought from a temple in northeastern Thailand to our country 40–50 years ago and is deeply revered by Buddhist devotees in both Malaysia and Thailand. Currently, this bronze-gold statue is the only one of its kind in Malaysia.
▲ Penang Hill is a summer retreat in Penang, Malaysia. As the highest peak in Penang, Penang Hill stands at 833m, making it strikingly visible among the surrounding lowland hills and forests. Historically, it served as a military retreat base during the British colonial era.
▲ Kek Lok Si Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia. Construction of the temple began in 1891 and was completed in 1904, making it one of the largest and most magnificent Chinese Buddhist temples in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The temple's name derives from "the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss," and its completion symbolized the expansion of Chinese Buddhism in Southeast Asia, serving as a cultural bridge between mainland China and overseas Chinese communities.
▲ The rise of Penang's mural street began in 2012 when the George Town Festival invited Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic to create a series of murals for the city. The iconic work "Kids on a Bicycle" is located on Lebuh Armenian, featuring two children playfully riding an actual old bicycle, which quickly went viral online. This artistic trend also inspired local and international artists to participate, making George Town one of the most famous street art cities. The government further complemented the scene by adding dozens of iron sculptures that humorously depict local life and culture.
▲ The Clan Jetties of Penang can be considered the earliest settlement for the Chinese community in Penang, where early residents primarily made their living through fishing. The houses built over the water are simple yet comfortable, exuding a harmonious atmosphere everywhere. Penang was once one of Southeast Asia's important maritime ports, and these famous clan jetties serve as living cultural heritage. With some jetties demolished, the six remaining clan jetties—belonging to the Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee, Yeoh families, as well as the mixed-surname community—have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are now protected.