Star Cruise Penang

Begin your dream voyage at Penang’s Swettenham Pier onboard Star Cruises Penang.

The Swettenham Pier, built in 1904 and subsequently redeveloped into a terminal for large cruise ships and other boats, provide facilities for shipping and cruise passenger arrivals and departures.

Star Cruise Penang

Star Cruises is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, a leading global leisure, entertainment and hospitality corporation. A pioneer in the Asia Pacific cruise industry, Star Cruises has been operating its fleet since 1993, taking on the bold initiative to grow the region as an international cruise destination with a fleet of six vessels including SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Libra, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Aquarius, Star Pisces and The Taipan.

Star Cruises’ commitment in offering best-in-class services and facilities is reflected in a host of recognitions and accolades received over the years. These include being inducted into the prestigious Travel Trade Gazette’s “Travel Hall of Fame” for a ninth year in 2016 in recognition of winning “Best Cruise Operator in the Asia-Pacific” for 10 consecutive years. Star Cruises was also recently voted “Asia’s Leading Cruise Line” at the World Travel Awards for a fifth year in a row in 2016.

Swettenham Pier is a pier within the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Established in 1904, it is the busiest port-of-call in Malaysia for cruise shipping. The pier plays a vital role as a major entry point for tourists into Penang, aside from the Penang International Airport and land connections.

Other than cruise shipping, Swettenham Pier, located at Weld Quay, has hosted warships as well. Navy ships from several nations, including Singapore, Thailand and the United States, have berthed at the pier in the past.

Towards the end of the 19th century, as maritime traffic into the Port of Penang continued to increase and railway lines in the Malay Peninsula were being built, the expansion of the Port of Penang became crucial. The construction of Swettenham Pier, undertaken by engineers Coude, Sons and Matthews, commenced in 1901. Upon its completion in 1904, the T-shaped pier provided 600 ft (180 m) of wharfage.

Originally, the pier was known as the ‘Iron Pier’. It was subsequently renamed Swettenham Pier, in honour of Frank Swettenham, the then Governor of the Straits Settlements.

Swettenham Pier’s initial capacity proved insufficient. In 1911, the pier was extended by 345 ft (105 m) to the north and 255 ft (78 m) to the south, bringing the overall length of the pier to 1,200 ft (370 m).

Between 1942 to 1944, at the height of World War II, the pier was used as a submarine base by the Japanese, German and Italian navies.

Up until the late 1960s, steamers and other cargo vessels with a draft of up to 27 ft (8.2 m) used to dock at Swettenham Pier. The pier’s heyday was abruptly ended, however, with the revocation of George Town’s free port status by the Malaysian federal government in 1969.

In the early 2000s, Swettenham Pier was upgraded into a cruise shipping terminal. The Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, with a new three-storey building and an aerobridge, was completed in 2009.George Town’s cruise tourism industry has been booming ever since, with Swettenham Pier soon attracting cruise ships of increasing size, such as the RMS Queen Mary 2. In 2017, Swettenham Pier overtook Port Klang as the busiest cruise shipping harbour in Malaysia.

Plans have also been drawn up for the expansion of Swettenham Pier in the near future to accommodate larger cruise ships.

Opening Hours : 8.15am-5.15pm
Address :  6, Beach Street
Contact No. : 04-269 8388
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/VSz_LBT2QCs

Taman Negeri Bukit Panchor

Taman Negeri Bukit Panchor opened in 1963, the park is a popular camping site under a canopy of indigenous trees and plants. The bat caves are a major tourist attractions. Chalets are available as well. Read more

Nibong Tebal Firefly

Nibong Tebal Firefly behold the rare enchanting sight of fireflies along the Sungai Kerian riverbank with a sunrise or sunset boat. Other exotic activities you could try are octopus catching, batu cave exploration and a visit to Penang’s largest sea fish cage farm.

Nibong Tebal Firefly

Nibong Tebal Firefly is a popular quiet town, situated at south of Penang state. Sitting right next to the Kerian river, it is strategically located and suitable for firefly watching activities. Taking a boat ride is a common practice but there are more options for visitors right now. Housed in the Firefly Jetty Development Association, Firefly Jetty Cafe is right next to the jetty where visitors board the firefly watching boat. It overlooks the Kerian river and offers the same lake-view. Cool view aside, the menu is less-exciting… featuring some local Western food and local delights. Probably not so much on the food but the opportunity to stay closer and enjoy the beauty of mother nature.

Below are some activities you could explore at Nibong Tebal Firefly :

Firefly watching

You will be amazed by with the synchronised flashes of light gently hovering over mangrove trees that lined the river bank. The specific species of mangrove tree which attracts these fireflies is the berembang (sonneratia caseolaris).
Fireflies watching at Sungai Kerian have also been lauded by many visitors as a ‘must visit’ tourist attraction. In fact, the fire fly is an icon of Nibong Tebal.

Sunset viewing

Enjoy the river cruise along the Kerian river, mangrove tree viewing and towards the largest sea cage fish farm. Enjoy yourself with the fish feeding activity…..
Enjoy the beautiful sunset at about 7.30pm…. after that You will be amazed by with the synchronised flashes of light gently hovering over mangrove trees that lined the river bank. The specific species of mangrove tree which attracts these fireflies is the berembang (sonneratia caseolaris).

Charcoal factory

The charcoal factory in Matang (Kuala Sepetang) is located right in the middle of a spectacular mangrove forest. Kuala Sepetang is located in north Malaysia, near the old town of Taiping. Mangrove forest is an important part of the ecosystems around the world and in Malaysia there is fortunately quite some left. The mangrove forest around Kuala Sepetang is much bigger and some parts are now part of a nature reserve. It borders also the nearby Kuala Gula bird sanctuary, just north from Kuala Sepetang.

Fishing village lifestyle

The small fishing town is famous for its’ fresh daily catch and is located near the river mouth of Sungai Kerian.  Don’t forget to buy some of Nibong Tebal’s famous prawn crackers or tambun biscuits for family, friends and of course, yourself!

Opening Hours : 8.30am-9.30pm
Address : Jeti Kelip-kelip Nibong Tebal, Jalan Pasar Lama, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang.
Tour Services : www.amazingplanner.com
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/VSz_LBT2QCs

Pulau Aman, Penang

Pulau Aman, Penang which means “Island of Peace” translated from the Malay Language is a small fishing village accessible via a 15 minute boat ride from Batu Musang jetty, Seberang Perai. Fishing, water sports and jungle trekking are some of the popular activities on the island. Visitors can also take the opportunity to feast on a variety of fresh seafood dishes from a floating seafood restaurant operating on the island.

Pulau Aman, Penang

Pulau Aman, Penang is an islet off the coast of Seberang Perai in the State of Penang, Malaysia. This islet, along with the adjacent Gedung Island, falls within the jurisdiction of the South Seberang Perai District.

Famously known as the “Island of Peace”, it is a home to a traditional Malay village. There are many interesting places to visit in Aman Island such as Jalan Telaga Emas, Batu Perompak and the nearby island of Gedung Island.[1]

It is said that Aman Island and Gedung Island were once owned by two brothers named Mr. Md Saad and his older brother. Saad died at the age of 99.

To reach here, you need to get to Batu Musang jetty in Batu Kawan and take a 10 minutes boat ride. The ticket costs RM7/pax and that also includes your return boat to the mainland.
Being a traditional Malay village, Pulau Aman receives visitors who want to experience the peaceful and quiet kampung lifestyle. There are also a couple of simple restaurants that serve seafood and mee udang, the latter being an island specialty.

Restoran Terapung (floating restaurant) is the biggest seafood restaurant around and it also offers an unobstructed view of the sea. Prawn is the main ingredient here, used to prepare fried noodle and rice.
For noodle, you have a choice of kuah and goreng – one with gravy and the other without. You can also bring your own seafood here to cook, but with the condition that they were bought from the fishermen at the jetty.

Opening Hours : 24 hours
Address : Batu Musang Jetty
Boat Services : 019 – 4090945 (Mr. Haji Yaakob)
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/70YTw2zwuzg

Auto City Juru

Auto City Juru is a one-stop destination for food, entertainment and shopping. It host over 30 restaurant serving both local and international cuisines. Also, consists of entertainment outlets with unique concepts and live music. Shopping here is an experience that allows you to blend with nature as Auto City adopts an eco-tourism approach.

Auto City Juru

The name “AUTO-CITY” is a registered trademark which is owned by Golden Highway Auto-City Sdn. Bhd. (GHAC). GHAC granted permission for the development on the said lands to use the trademark “AUTO-CITY”.

Today, AUTO-CITY is endorsed as a tourist destination by the Penang State Government and it has become a landmark as a 1-Stop for Auto, Food, Entertainment, Banking, Shopping, and Outdoor events/celebrations.

1-STOP AUTO
Selection of 30 Auto brands; 3S centres with big showrooms, genuine spare parts, serviced by specialists and/or trained technicians with up-to-date equipments and tools.

1-STOP FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
Selection of more than 30 F & B and Entertainment outlets; offering international & local cuisines, different unique concepts and specially designed decorations.

1-STOP GATED BANKING
Many International & Local banks and Money Changer; Ample car parks; Security

1-STOP OUTDOOR EVENTS/CELEBRATIONS
Concerts; Promo-Tours; Local & International Artistes; Road shows; Carnivals; Fairs; Exhibitions; Countdowns; Motorsports; Festival Celebrations & Fiestas; Tourism Events.

1-STOP SHOPPING
Shopping in the park (or known as SHOP-IN d’PARK) and enjoy strolling through the nightly lighted park, beautiful landscapes and gardens, water features and river; Selection of Fashion Boutiques, Factory Outlets and Fashion Market. Open daily from 5pm to mid night.

AUTO-CITY is strategically located at the North-South Highway Juru Interchange. If you are travelling along the North-South Highway from KL to Penang, you will exit from the last Juru Toll. AUTO-CITY is located 1KM from the Juru Toll and 5.5KM from the Penang Bridge.

AUTO-CITY serves a population of 1,000,000 within 20 minutes drive.

It is well patronized by business and working people during the day. When the sun sets, AUTO-CITY becomes alive with people from all walks of life; may they be families and children, teens, youths, business people. couples and the elders. The night environment is so conducive for dining, entertaining, chit-chatting, strolling, shopping; it is filled with beautiful lightings, cool breeze, music, love and romance.

The development of AUTO-CITY today was realized as the result of the strong support from various industries, namely the Auto, Food, Entertainment & Music, Banking and Retailing as well as the Government and the local authorities. Many have participated and contributed in the making of AUTO-CITY to serve the people like you. We are happy that the people have embraced AUTO-CITY as part of their lifestyle and livelihood and this gives us the motivation and purpose to continue to explore new ideals to enhance the development of AUTO-CITY to serve you better.

Opening Hours : 24 hours
Address : 1688, Jalan Perusahaan, Highway Auto-city
Entry Fee : Free
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/70YTw2zwuzg

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest located 457 meter above sea level, the Recreational Forest is home to many indigenous flora and fauna. A hike through the 37 ha of sprawling rain forest should satisfy your hunger for adventure while chalets are available for those who are interested to stay in.

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest is known as Cherok Tok Kun, a small village in Province Wellesley, Penang, Malaysia. Besides, Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest also known as Taman Rimba Bukit Mertajam  or Hutan Lipur Bukit Mertajam. But whenever one mentions Tok Kun, they are referring to the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest.

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest is a place for the people of Seberang Perai, particularly those staying around Bukit Mertajam, to go for some fresh air and greenery. Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest is also suitable for camping and other recreational activities like jungle trekking and picnicking. There is also a small waterfall passing through the area where one can take a dip in the cool refreshing water.This BM hill is always a hot spot for mountain bikers as the gradient is not so steep.

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest is a popular park among the locals in Seberang Perai (mainland Penang) and neighboring residents from Kulim, Kedah. The forest reserve sprawls over 37 hectares of hilly terrain with the highest point at 457 meter. The hill is a very prominent landmark in mainland Penang as seen from Penang Island.
The forest park consists of valuable timber trees of dipterocarp and palm forests. It still retains many indigenous trees like Meranti Seraya (Shorea curtisii) and Meranti Rambai Daun (Shorea acuminate). The cool and fresh mountain air induces many indigenous flora and fauna found only in this part of mainland Penang.
Bukit Mertajam is named after the tree Mertajam (Lepisanthes rubiginosa). This fruiting tree provides eatable berries for birds, squirrels, monkeys and human alike. The tree can reach a height of 10 meters. A tree can be seen near the car park.

Basically, when people heard about Cherok To’ Kun, they usually expect that is a boring place and give such an unimpressed facial reaction.

According to the stories of people who live in the old village that we have interviwed, the name Cherok To’Kun named after a famous old Siam named Kun who lives in Bukit Mertajam cherok feet . The greatness of this man in so many areas has made his grand name at that time. Tok Kun prowess became the talk of the time to go to see cherok Tok Kun . Finally, a place known by the name Cherok To’Kun. To’Kun Cherok village consists of three villages namely To’Kun Down, Up and Bay Hill To’Kun .

Opening Hours : 8am-5pm
Address : Jalan Kolam,Bukit Mertajam
Entry Fee : Free
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/2a9scHQZemA

St. Anne Church Penang

St. Anne Church Penang founded in 1846, the Roman Catholic church is named after St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every Jul, St. Anne;s Feast is celebrated grandly. It is usually followed by two nights of candle light procession and vigil.

St. Anne Church Penang

The first chapel of St. Anne church Penang was built on top of the hill. As soon as the Catholic population begin to increase, a new church was built. It was opened in 1888. This is the church which is now the St Anne’s Shrine. It was the main church for the annual celebrations for St Anne’s feast. In the 1950s, when Malaya declared an emergency, the church grounds were designated as a no-go area. It was only in 1960 that the emergency was lifted. In 1977, the church started moving back to the St. Anne’s Shrine and restoration works begin, due to being abandoned for a long time. The stained glass inside and one of the three bells were recovered.

The parish moved further down the road and in 1958, the parish opened another church. This church was known as the “new church” for over 40 years, and was the main centre for the parish and the feast celebrations until 2003. In these years of the feast, pilgrims had to commute between this church and St. Anne’s Shrine, which is 2 km away. This grounds now occupies the Kim Sen Primary School.

The 1990s to 2000s saw a major transformation for this church. In 2002, another new church was built. This church could fit 2,200 people, and is one of the largest churches in Malaysia. Work on the new St Anne’s Church started in 2000 and was completed two years later. It was opened by the then Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia on 26 July 2002. This church has Minangkabau roofs, truly reflecting the Malaysian culture. Not only was a new church constructed, an avenue named Dataran St. Anne was constructed in front of the church. In view of turning St. Anne’s Church into a pilgrim centre, Domus St Anne was also built to accommodate pilgrims who intend to stay over. A parish office, parish community centre and presbytery were also built, thus enlarging the sanctuary grounds.

In 2006, the church installed ‘Statues of Passion’ at a cost of RM600,000. These statues depict the stations of the cross. A grotto dedicated in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary was opened on 26 July 2008. In June 2010, a second accommodation place, St. Anne’s Dorm, was opened by the then parish priest Fr Stephen Liew. Currently, the parish priest is Msgr Henry Rajoo. At present, St. Anne’s Church also administers 2 chapels, namely Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows in Alma, and Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima in Berapit.

Cherok Tokun Relics

Cherok Tokun Relics are ancient inscriptions on a rock in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Also called Batu Bersurat Cherok Tokun, it is the only ancient megalith in Penang, Malaysia, as recognised by the Malaysian Department of Museum and Antiquities. The granite megalith is located at the foot of Bukit Mertajam, within the compound of the St Anne Church. To reach it, walk across the driveway from the new St Anne Church.

The Cherok Tokun Ancient Inscriptions were first documented by Colonel James Low, a British army officer, in 1845. In his log, Low recorded his disappointment of not finding a more spectacular ruin, expecting to find an ancient temple ruin. He documented what he made out to be “a group of seven inscriptions”. The inscriptions were believed to be in pre-Pallava script and written in Sanskrit.[1] One of the inscriptions mentions Mahanavika Budhagupta and give the Buddhist creed Ajnanac-ciyate Karmma… They were attributed to the ancient Kingdom of Kadaaram, which flourished in northern Malaysia in the 5th to 6th centuries. However, according to J Laidlay, who translated the text in 1848, the inscription was Pali, not Sanskrit.

The Museum and Antiquities Department built a shed over the megalith in 1973. It was the first and only ancient relic in Penang to be gazetted. By that time, the megalith was already covered with graffiti added by latter-day visitors, including an inscription by Colonel Low himself.

Feast

Generally, Catholics celebrate the feast day of its saints on one day, for example, St Patrick’s Day. The actual feast day of St Anne is on 26 July, but it is celebrated for ten days at Bukit Mertajam, either on the actual day or immediately after the actual day. Celebrations include a candlelight procession, a nine-day novena and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Pilgrims, estimated to be around 100,000, come from Malaysia, neighbouring countries and further afield.

Opening Hours : 7am-9pm
Address : Jalan Kulim, Bukit Mertajam
Entry Fee : Free
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/2a9scHQZemA

Mengkuang Dam

Officially opened in 1985, Mengkuang Dam is notably larger than the Air Itam Dam with a storage capacity ten times greater. The massive dam is a popular destination for sports and recreational activities. A homestay programme (Mengkuang Titi) is available as well.

Mengkuang Dam

Mengkuang Dam (Malay: Empangan Mengkuang, Tasik Mengkuang) is a dam located less than 28 km to the north-east of Butterworth in Penang, Malaysia. It is the only dam situated in Seberang Perai (Penang Mainland) and the second dam built in Penang after Ayer Itam dam. It was officially opened by the former Governor, Dr. Tun Awang bin Hassan in 1985. It has the water catchment area of 3.9sq km and a gross storage capacity of 23.6 billion litres makes it the largest dam in Penang, almost 10 times the capacity of the Air Itam Dam. Mengkuang Dam will be closed to the public from August 1, 2011 until July 31, 2016 for enlargement and renovation. The US$200 million enlargement includes increasing the height of the dam by 11 m (36 ft) and its length 1.7 km (1.1 mi) to the west. A new intake and spillway will also be added.

The park in the dam area is a popular place for recreation. Mengkuang Dam is also one of the venues for the annual Penang International Dragon Boat Festival. The festival is a fiesta of colour and noise, in which traditionally-built boats race through the waters of this dam, the boats are cheered on by enthusiastic spectators. The race begins with a slow beating of the drums by the helmsmen. The beat increases steadily, going faster and faster, and then rising to a crescendo as the boats cross the finish line. The ornate and painted ‘dragons’ on the boats’ prows add to the gaiety of the festival.

Opening Hours : 7am-9pm
Address : Seberang Perai
Entry Fee : Free
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/xDxkMbkp2yc

Tow Boo Kong Temple Butterworth

Tow Boo Kong Temple Butterworth built in 1971 and one of the biggest in Butterworth, the temples is dedicated to the worship of the Nine Emperor Gods. On the 9th Month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival will be held for duration of 9 days. During the festival, rituals such as skewering of a 9am spear between the mouth and fire walking will be carried out.

Tow Boo Kong Temple Butterworth

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, nine-emperor-gods-festival-celebrated-with-primarily in Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia by the local Chinese communities.

On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the nine emperors. Since the arrival of the gods is believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea shore or river to symbolize this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await the arrival of their excellencies.

A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, eat vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of celebration.

The ninth day of the festival is its climax. A procession which draws scores of devotees sends the deities back home.

The Nine Emperor Gods Jiǔ Huáng Xīng Jūn / Jiǔ Huáng Da Di are the nine sons manifested by Father Emperor Zhou Yu Dou Fu Yuan Jun and Mother of the Big Dipper Dou Mu Yuan Jun who holds the Registrar of Life and Death. The worship of Dou Fu Yuan Jun has declined strongly as proper teachings of Taoism degenerate since being exported out of China. Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. However, Dou Fu Yuan Jun is invoked alongside Dou Mu Yuan Jun in Great Dipper Honouring known as Li Dou ceremonies. According To Priest Long Hua, the 35th Generation Leader of Long Shan Men Taoist Sect (Singapore), honouring the Northern Dipper stars prolongs one’s life, eliminate calamities, and absolves sins and past debts of oneself and his family.Wu, Jave (2007), The term Ye as in Jiu Huang Ye ( loosely translates as “Grandfather”, a title worshipers commonly use to bring a more intimate relationship between themselves and the Nine Emperors. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming rebels. Popular folk culture has it that the Nine Emperor Gods are actually sea pirates of the Ming dynasty that plotted to overthrow the Qing dynasty. According to Priest Long Hua, this information is inaccurate and considered derogatory to the actual teachings of Taoism as the Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues.Wu, Jave (2008), Celebration The Nine Emperors is formed by the seven stars of the Big Dipper of the North Ursa Major (visible) and two assistant stars (invisible to most people). The Nine Emperor Stars are:

Tan Lang Tai Xing Jun 1st Star Bayer
Ju Men Yuan Xing Jun2nd Star Bayer
Lu Cun Zhen Xing Jun 3rd Star Bayer
Wen Qu Niu Xing Jun 4th Star Bayer
Lian Zhen Gang Xing Jun 5th Setar Bayer
Wu Qu Ji Xing Jun 6th Setar Bayer
Po Jun Guan Xing Jun 7th Star Bayer
Zuo Fu Da Dao Xing Jun 8th Star
You Bi Da Dao Xing Jun 9th Star

Opening Hours : 7am-9pm
Address : Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth
Entry Fee : Free
YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/hg1IF2RWPrg