Mar Vista Resort

Door guards at Chinese temples and shrines

by SLLiew

If you enter any Chinese temples, shrines or clan houses, you will see a pair of giant painted deitified generals painted at the doors.

This Chinese tradition started in the Tang Dynasty 6th century AD.

The two deities are General Qin Qiong who is pale face who bears swords and General Yuchi Jingde who is dark faced bearing batons.

Their presence will ward off evil spirits from entering when the doors are closed at night.

St George's Anglican Church

by andrewyong

The oldest Anglican church in South East Asia, it has a greek temple in its grounds to commemorate the founding of Penang by Light. It's built in the early 1800s, though renovated a few times since. Things in the tropics are more difficult to preserve due to the humidity (I collect too much stuff you see, so I know).

George Town - Beach Street

by SLLiew

Lebuh Beach was the "Wall Street" of George Town.

George Town was once a thriving tax free port, this street parallel to Weld Quay was an important financial street. While ships called to port and get unloaded into warehouses on Weld Quay, money was counted along the banks on Beach Street.

Today, most banks have moved their main offices to bigger buildings in other parts of Penang but still maintain this historic bank branches along Beach Street. You will see the old colonial buildings that have ATMs.

The Immigration Office for passports is housed in a beautiful colonial building at the roundabout where Beach Street starts.

Along Beach Street, you will also find a junction to Downing Street. Sounds familiar.

New UNESCO WHS : George Town (Tanjung)

by SLLiew

"History"

According to history, George Town was named after King George III while the island of Penang, "Prince of Wales Island", was named after his son, the Prince of Wales, who became King George V.

" Streets of George Town"

George Town has a colorful colonial past. There are Downing, Edward, Victoria, Queen, King, Bishop, Buckingham Streets and Love Lane.

" New UNESCO World Heritage Historic City"

George Town with the largest concentration of prewar and heritage buildings is bidding with Melaka to be listed by UNESCO for the past few years. This July 2008, both has been added as UNESCO WHS Historic cities.

Check out my related tips at Pulau Pinang, Penang, Bayan Lepas