The Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple is a temple to the local god of prosperity. It is located a spur on Pearl Hill, also called Bukit Mutiara, overlooking Tanjong Bungah. According to a history enthusiast whom I spoke with, Pearl Hill was the original Mount Erskine, and Jalan Puncak Bukit Mutiara were roads built by the British for defence. Although the hill now known as Pearl Hill used to be Mount Erskine, the name Mount Erskine has since "shifted" to denote another place in Penang, the hilly area between Fettes Park and Bagan Jermal.
On Pearl Hill itself is one of the many Tua Pek Kong temples in Penang. In addition to Tua Pek Kong, this temple plays host to a number of other deities and spirits, including the Kuan Yin and even Hindu deities. Their altars are lined all along one side providing the deities a good view of Tanjung Bungah and the sea below. The scenery here is magnificent, with the landscape punctuated with high rise condominiums. At the Tua Pek Kong shrine in the temple, there is a notice reminding devotees not to pray with meat on Friday. Close to the shrine, there is also a small pool with fishes. Here and there are small shrines to the many deities.
Getting there
The Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple has to be reached by car. To get there, turn left into Jalan Sungai Kelian at Hill Side. Then turn left again at Jalan Bunga Pudar. Go along Jalan Bunga Pudar until you see the junction of Jalan Puncak Bukit Mutiara on your right. Follow Jalan Puncak Bukit Mutiara until the end, and you will arrive at the Tua Pek Kong 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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Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple Tanjung Bungah (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Man-made pond with fishes, at the temple (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Shrine to Tua Pek Kong (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Scenery of Tanjung Bungah from Pearl Hill (14 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye
Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple Tanjung Bungah
Location Map
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