::  BOTANICAL GARDEN  ::

About a quarter of a mile from Penang Hill and about 8km from town is the century-old, well-laid out Penang Botanical Gardens taking up some 30 hectares. This picturesque garden has plenty of lush green tropical plants and some colourful examples of Penang's native flora. The sound of waterfalls gushing down from the hills and the chatter of monkeys in the background enhance the nature experience.

::  SNAKE TEMPLE ::

This temple, 14km on the Bayan Lepas road to the airport, was built in 1850 to the memory of a Buddhist priest, Chor Soo Kong, who was believed to have possessed incredible healing powers. There are venomous pit vipers coiled around the altars and other parts of the temple. The incense burning continuously all around the temple seems to keep them dazed.

::  KHOO KONGSI  ::

Penang is filled with kongsi's. A kongsi is a clan house or meeting hall which also acts as a small temple for Chinese of the same clan or surname. The elaborate Khoo Kongsi is by far the grandest on the island. Also known as the Dragon Mountain Hall, it features ornate wood carvings and gilt work, coloured tiles and elaborate friezes of dragons, phoenixes and deities. Construction began around 1853 but was interrupted until it was finally finished in 1898. The building was so magnificent that on its completion, the roof caught fire. Some believe this was because of its resemblance to the Emperor's palace. The Khoo's interpreted this as a message to rebuild the clan house in a less grandiose style.

::  KUAN YIN TENG TEMPLE  ::

On Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling, right in the heart of Georgetown, is the Kuan Yin Teng Temple (Goddess of Mercy) which was built in the 1800s by the first Chinese settlers in Penang. This oldest Chinese temple on the island draws crowds of devotees during the birthday of the goddess which is celebrated three times a year on the 19th day of the Chinese second, sixth and ninth moon. During these festivals worshippers bustle about burning joss sticks and paper money and make other offerings to the benevolent goddess and the god of prosperity whose deity is also housed within. In the evenings there is usually a Chinese puppet show or theatre performance.

::  KEK LOK SI  ::

This temple at Air Itam is reputed to be the most beautiful and the largest Buddhist Temple complex in South East Asia. There is a covered winding passage filled with traders selling souvenirs that leads you up to the temple. Its seven-storey pagoda standing at 30m tall is a mixture of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture and craftsmanship. The octagonal base is typically Chinese, the middle tiers Thai and the spiral dome, Burmese.

:: KAPITAN KELING MOSQUE  ::

Penang's first Indian Muslim settlers (East India Company troops) built this mosque at the junction of Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Buckingham. The mosque is yellow and has a single minaret.

::  BUTTERFLY FARM  ::

Located at Teluk Bahang, the farm is the world's first tropical live butterfly exhibition and houses over 400 species of butterflies and local insects in their natural habitat. There are about 4,000 to 5,000 live butterflies fluttering about under a huge enclosed net. The farm also serves as a display and breeding area complete with a souvenir shop and information centre. There is a lily pond, artificial waterfalls and a rock garden on the premises.

::  ACHEEN ST. MOSQUE  ::

A short walk from the Khoo Kongsi, this mosque on Lebuh Acheen was built by a wealthy Arab trader in 1820. The mosque was an important meeting place for the Malay and Arab traders in the area. Acheen Street was the site of the oldest Malay kampung in Georgetown. Unlike other mosques in the country which have Moorish minarets, this one has an Egyptian-style minaret.

::  BUKIT MERTAJAM RECREATIONAL PARK  ::

Located approximately 18km from Butterworth ferry terminal, the recreational park has an area of 37 hectares covering hilly terrain and ascending up to 457m above sea level. The cool hill air encourages a profusion of ferns, epiphytes and wild flowers as well as exotic butterflies, birds and insects. There are several jungle trails leading into the interior.

::  STATE MOSQUE  ::

Located at Jalan Masjid Negeri, the Mosque took over four years to complete. It can accommodate 5,000 worshippers and there are large crowds which attend the midday Friday prayers. Visitors have to be appropriately dressed.

::  MENGKUANG DAM  ::

Located in the Mengkuang Valley, north of Bukit Mertajam on the mainland is Penang's biggest dam, capable of storing 23 billion litres of water. The area around it has been well landscaped with gardens and contains jogging tracks and leisure trailsfor walks. There are also recreational and water sport facilities. However, joggers and visitors must get entry permission from the security personnel at the entrance.

::  WAT CHAYAMANGKALARAM  ::

Located at Lorong Burmah, this brightly painted Buddhist temple of Thai architecture houses what is claimed to be the world's third largest reclining Buddha, measuring about 33m long. Opening hours are from early morning to late evening.