Tanjung Tokong is an old fishing village on the northeastern part of Penang Island. Tanjung Tokong derived its name from its famous Tua Pek Kong temple.
A quiet fishing village in the 60's and 70's, Tanjung Tokong has seen rapid development in the last decade, with a mushrooming of high rise residential blocks for the low income, the medium income as well as the upmarket. Even the sea off Tanjung Tokong is not spared, as it is being reclaimed to create new land.
Tanjung Tokong suffered much damaged in the December 2004 tsunami. The force of the wave was so great that it broke a retaining wall at the famous seafood restaurant near the Tua Pek Kong temple. That wall has since been repaired. However, the villagers face another threat to their unhurried lifestyle with the exigencies of urban development pressed right against them. The sea off Tanjung Tokong has undergone reclamation, so much so that the cape has lost its original shape, affecting the currents and the lifelihood of the fishermen, who may eventually be forced to abandon fishing for other jobs.
Tanjung Tokong is also famous for the Fatty Loh Chicken Rice which has its original outlet at the junction of Fettes Park Road. New retail outlets that have been added to Tanjung Tokong include Island Plaza and Prima Tanjung.
Getting there
To reach the Tanjong Tokong, take Rapid Penang bus 101, 103, 104 from Weld Quay. The heart of Tanjong Tokong is at the junction of Jalan Tanjong Tokong with Jalan Fettes and Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, in front of Island Plaza.
Distance from City Centre: 4.5 km
What to see and do there
Island Plaza is an upmarket shopping mall. Apart from that, there is suburban shopping at Prima Tanjung across the road at Jalan Fettes. Further up the road is Fatty Loh Chicken Rice shop.
Amenities
Nearest schools include the Penang Chinese Girls High School and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tanjung Bungah. The nearest market is the Tanjong Tokong village market. Island Plaza is the nearest shopping mall, with the Cold Storage supermarket housed in it. Gurney Plaza is another shopping mall close by. Petrol stations in Tanjong Tokong includes a Shell, a Caltex and a Petronas. The nearest hospital is the Penang Adventist Hospital.
Traffic
Traffic is often heavy along the main road, Jalan Tanjong Tokong. Now that it has been widened, the traffic flow is smoother, even though the nonsensical way the road lines are drawn require motorists to swerve in and out at every approaching traffic light.
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:
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.
Tanjung Tokong Photo Gallery
Tanjung Tokong, Penang.
View of the skyscrapers of George Town. In the foreground you can see the reclamation works in progress.
Some of the lookout structures originally built by Tiger Balm magnate Aw Boon Haw.
Fishing nets attest to Tanjung Tokong's position as a fishing village.
Lone angler trying his luck at Tanjung Tokong.
The retaining walls and seaview walkway of Tanjung Tokong
It is often more practical to book your tours online. You have the luxury of time to go through what are the tours you intend to take, rather than having to make a decision on your feet. Check out the local tours in Penang that you can book online. The tours are provided by Viator, a reputable international tour company.
If you are coming to Penang, you can arrange airport transfer from airport to city in advance. A van will be waiting for you to pick you at the airport. This service is very useful and cost effective if you are arriving as a group.
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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.
