Golden Mountain Tua Pek Kong Temple is a small shrine on the hill in Tanjung Bungah. The official name of this temple is Hock Teik See. In Hokkien, it is known as the Kim Suah Tua Pek Kong. This particular Tua Pek Kong Temple is noted - and has appeared in the New Straits Times, among others - for attracting snakes to it, especially during the birthday of Tua Pek Kong, which usually falls around 7 May.
The snakes that appear at the Golden Mountain Tua Pek Kong are pit vipers, similar to those seen at the famous Snake Temple of Sungai Kluang. I heard about this temple, and immediately paid it a visit. Unfortunately there were no snakes during my visit. According to Mr Oon Peng Chai, the 85-year-old caretaker, the snakes have not been seen for quite some time, owing probably to the construction of high-rise condominiums going on within the vicinity of the temple.
The Golden Mountain Tua Pek Kong Temple is believed to have been built around 1950, and Mr Oon has been the caretaker since then. Now that he is old and frail, there are volunteers who come up to bring him food and to see to his well-being.
Getting there
The Golden Mountain Tua Pek Kong Temple is not easily accessible, unless you come by car. It is blocked by a construction site at the moment, meaning you have to park your car in the midst of all the construction material and hike up to the temple.
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
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Golden Mountain Tua Pek Kong Temple
Location Map
Kim Suah Tua Pek Kong Temple (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
The Tua Pek Kong image in the temple (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Photo on the wall showing the presence of pit vipers at
the Tua Pek Kong image (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Grave of the person who donated the site for the temple (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Mr Oon Peng Chai, caretaker of the temple (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
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