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Situated in the Bayan Lepas in Georgetown, the Snake Temple is a shelter for snakes around the area. Believers from China, Singapore and Taiwan travel to the temple every 6th of lunar month, to pray to the Buddhist monk, Master Qingshui. The temple has been part of the novel, The Gift of Rain, and the American reality show, The Amazing Race 16. The temple is overrun by snakes of different species, who are believed to be the reincarnation of Master Qingshui’s disciples.
Location Of Snake Temple
Photo: Donald Tong / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Snake Temple, also known as the Temple of Azure Clouds, is situated in Sungai Kluang, in Bayan Lepas, the temple is 12 kilometres away from Georgetown, Penang. It is just 15 km away from the Penang City Centre.
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How To Reach Snake Temple
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There are two ways to reach the Snake Temple from Georgetown, i.e. bus and a cab. The temple is at the southernmost tip of Penang city, and you cannot reach here by plane or sea, the only way to come here is by road.
By Taxi: The fastest way to reach the Snake Temple is by taxi. You can take a cab from Georgetown to the Snake Temple quite easily, which will take you less than 15 minutes. It may cost between RM 30 to RM 45, depending on what part of Georgetown you take the taxi from.
By Bus: There is a direct bus from Georgetown to the Snake Temple that departs from Flat MacCallum and stops at Jalan Tengah, every hour. You can get in one of these buses and they will drop you at the gate of the Snake Temple. The bus ticket costs about RM1 or 2 and it takes at least an hour to reach the snake temple.
Things To See In The Snake Temple
The Snake Temple Malaysia is primarily known for three things, the incense smoke that surrounds the temple, the snakes that roam inside it, and the significant brass bells.
1. Burning Incense
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The first thing anyone will notice while entering the temple is the strong smell of incense and the smoke covering the premises. In Chinese religions like Taoism and Buddhism, the burning of incense symbolises a lot of things – showing respect and gratitude to deities, purification, creating a connection between human and spirit worlds and even talking to the dead. At the temple, it is believed that the smell of the burning incense calms the snakes down and makes them friendlier and safer to be around.
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2. Wagler’s Pit Snakes
Photo: Marufish / Wikimedia Commons
The reason the Temple of Azure Clouds is called the Snake Temple is the Wagler’s pit viper, as they are everywhere in the temple. You can find them on every tree, every corner, near the altar, and around the gates. The temple is home to all types of pit vipers and some other species. While the people believe the Sacred Smoke makes the snakes friendly, the temple authorities have de-venomed all the snakes for safety reasons. In 2005, the temple started a snake-breeding centre on their premises.
3. Brass Bells
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Another important part of the Buddhist and Taoist religion is the brass bell. In Buddhism, Bells are metaphors for wisdom and enlightenment. The sound that comes from brass bells is considered to be helpful during meditation, is regarded as calming and gives a sense of serendipity. At the Snake Temple, Penang, there are two brass bells that turn the entire temple into an echo chamber or metallic humming.
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Where To Stay
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While there is no accommodation option inside the temple, visitors can stay at Georgetown in one of the many hotels and resorts. Hotels such as Bayview Hotel, Hotel Sentral and Kimberly Hotel are some of the greatest accommodation options in Penang.
Where To Eat
Photo: Pauloleong2002 / Wikimedia Commons
There are some great food options near the temple that you can try. Places like Muse Dining Bar, have some great offerings for their guests. If you want some spicy Indian cuisine, you can visit Masala Hut Authentic Indian Cuisine. You can visit BLOK5 Food.Drink for Malaysian food.
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Best Time To Visit Snake Temple
Photo: Neohch / Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit the temple is during the Chinese New Year, between January and February. The atmosphere is extremely festive during this time. If you visit the temple during this time, you can witness the famous snake dance by the people of the temple, which is one of the most unique experiences in the world.
Tips For Travellers
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- The temple does not have any entry fee. Anyone who asks for any amount, no matter how small, as an entry fee is a scammer.
- Look for the temple sign and do not disturb or hurt the snakes.
- While it is better not to take young kids to the temple, if you do, make sure you keep them with you all the time. It can be dangerous for children to roam alone inside or around the temple.
- The temple has an excessive amount of snakes using it as a shelter, so if you have ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), you can just skip this place entirely.
- You can buy food from the stalls outside the temple.
- Carry a camera to capture Snake Temple photos.
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The snake temple is famous for its wide range of snake species and the tales surrounding them. While one doesn’t know why these snakes just arrived at a temple and decided to make it their residence for generations, there are folktales and myths that are amusing to hear. If you are ready to meet the snakes, book your trip to Malaysia with TripXL!
Cover Photo: Khalzuri Yazid / Wikimedia Commons
