George Town's Historical Religious Buildings (Self Guided), George Town

The Acheen Street Mosque, also known as Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, dates from 1801. Tengku, who founded this old mosque, installed a minaret of Arabian-Oriental along with an Achehnese roof. This tall edifice is a beautiful example of the marriage of Indian and Chinese architectural styles.

Built in 1924, this famous temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of George Town. Its beautiful exterior dazzles the eye with its variety of bright colors. Blue dragons, a green roof and walls decorated with pearls can all be admired here. Look out for the three porcelain figures standing on the roof - they symbolize luck, wealth and health, and are reproduced in apartments and restaurants all over the city.

Also known as the Goddess of Mercy Temple, this house of worship is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang. Built in 1801 by early immigrant settlers from China, the building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and a pair of stone sculptured lions, known as Fu dogs. Pilgrims flock to the site all year round, and particularly on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month. Outside, there’s a lovely square that hosts puppet shows and Chinese operas on special occasions.

Masjid Kapitan Keling is the most famous mosque in Penang. Its architecture combines the Indian-Mughal style with Gothic, Moorish, Romanesque and Renaissance elements. The mosque is named for Cauder Mohudeen Merican. Commonly called Kapitan Keling, he was the leader of the Muslim community in Penang in the early 19th century.

Sir George Leigh, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, granted 18 acres of land for the mosque in 1801. The mosque was designed by German architect Henry Alfred Neubronner. It is located on Kapitan Keiling Street, also called "the Street Of Harmony." The mosque shares the Street with the Goddess of Mercy Temple and St George's Church.

The mosque is part of the World Heritage Site of George Town. It is at the center of the Tamil Muslim Chulias Neighborhood. Cauder Mohudeen was a ship tandoor from Porto Novo, south of Pondicherry, India.

The original design met with disapproval and the mosque was remodeled and enlarged. The prayer hall doubled in height. The ventilation system was overhauled and more natural light was admitted. The outside is colored ochre. The interior has white marble floors. The aisles are framed by horseshoe arches. All decoration is of geometrical designs.

Erected at the start of the 19th Century, Nagore Durgha is the oldest Muslim shrine on the island. It is painted in white and light blue, with three arc-shaped openings on its façade. If you visit this beautiful shrine, you’ll also have the chance to browse the interesting little shops located next to it.

Built in 1833, Sri Mariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang. Here you can see fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and façade. A long-standing place of worship for Indian Hindus in the city, today it holds a special place in the heart of that community. Built in the south Indian Dravidian style, the temple’s most outstanding feature is the impressive gopuram (tower). Rising above the entrance, it features Hindu deities, soldiers and floral decorations. Housed within its ornately decorated interior is the priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam, embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The statue figures prominently in the annual Thaipusam festival, when it is borne on a silver chariot through the city streets to the temple.

The Cantonese Tua Pek Kong Temple was founded by the Hakka and Cantonese association in the middle period of 18th Century, with additional works in 1909. Facing the building you can admire its beautiful façade, with a sloping red- and gold-colored roof. The interior is equally well decorated, making this temple well worth a visit.

The St. George's Church, which is named after England’s patron saint, is the oldest Anglican church in all of southeast Asia. Built by convict labor in 1818, it was designed by Captain Robert Smith, a military engineer. A memorial to Captain Francis Light in the form of a Greek temple with a marble slab stands in the grounds of the church. The site is currently undergoing restoration works.

The Hainan Temple, also known as the Temple of the Heavenly Queen, was built in 1866 in a Hainanese style. It is decorated with beautiful stone carvings that echo the Sung dynasty era. The building is decked out in deep red, gold and yellow – the traditional colors of China. Last restored in 1995, it is a wonderful place to visit.