Penang Island’s capital of George Town in Malaysia offers a vibrant slice of Malaysian culture spiced by local influences. The inner city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to a fascinating array of temples and other cultural hotspots. Travellers wanting to get the most out of Penang can sample the island’s delights from a quality Penang hotel offering premium Malaysian accommodation in a contemporary setting. One excellent Tanjung Bungah hotel Penang boasts of is the Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang – a fine choice that combines stylish interiors and modern conveniences to provide a welcome experience for business and leisure travellers. George Town’s Bats’ Cave Temple is a shrine dedicated to the local god of prosperity and good luck, Tua Keh Kong, set within a huge cave filled with bats numbering in the thousands. Yet the bats do not mind, or have possibly welcomed the presence of the deity, and have managed to harmoniously co-exist with faithful temple-goers. The temple administrators have thoughtfully lined the dark cave walls with white paint to ensure that visitors do not bump their heads on the cave ceilings, which can dip quite low in places. The temple also does not light up in full force at night, as thoughtful temple managers dim the lights so that they do not disturb the bats during the day. As you walk into the shrine, be greeted with a 2-metre-high granite statue of the god, sitting above a brightly-hued sea of gifts and other offerings. The god is patronised by locals in search of monetary prosperity and it is said that the temple is funded by those faithful adherents who have had their requests granted by Tua Keh Kong. The temple transforms into a celebratory feast ground during the god’s birthday, observed on the 2nd of February, and the temple also celebrates the Chinese New Year, even though the temple is not technically Buddhist. Come and experience the spirited local beliefs of Penang Island and make your own wish for prosperity to Tua Keh Kong, who just might decide to grace you with a lottery win!
