Hong Hock See Temple is a Chinese temple located at Jalan Perak in Penang. Its abbot is the Venerable Boon Keng. Also known in Hokkien as Ang Hock Si Temple, the temple appears to be an amalgam of a Taoist temple and a Buddhist temple. The architecture of the main building - not sure if we can call it the viharn - is Chinese in design, complete with dragon motif on its roof ridges. Behind the temple building is a stupa with lotus designs on the base. At the top of the stupa is a gilded parasol, called a "hti" in Burmese.
In my research on Hong Hock See Temple, I have only uncovered the same story, and it is unrelated to the history of the temple itself: that it is being infested with poisonous red ants. This has become in stinging problem as the monks are not allowed to kill any living thing. The ants are said to have originated from the bodhi tree at the premises. To warn visitors, a sign has been posted in front of the tree.
If anybody out there knows more about Hong Hock See Temple, in terms of its history, please get in touch with me so that I can furnish that information here and share it with others.
Getting there
Hong Hock See Temple is located at the north end of Jalan Perak. Rapid Penang Bus Nos. 101, U104 and 304 pass by there. The temple is located right before Wat Buppharam.
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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Hong Hock See Temple (1 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Arch of Hong Hock See Temple (1 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Arch of Hong Hock See Temple (1 August 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Hong Hock See Temple Location Map
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