Snake Temple
Penang · Malaysia
The temple was constructed in the 1805 to honour Chor Soo Kong (also known as Master Qingshui), a Buddhist monk who lived during the Song dynasty (960–1279) for his numerous miracles and good deeds especially in healing the sick and giving shelter to snakes. When the temple structure was completed in the 1800s, snakes coming from the species of Wagler's pit viper reportedly appeared by themselves.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Snake Temple
Welcome, curious travelers, to one of the most unusual and fascinating religious sites in Southeast Asia: Hock Hin Keong, widely known to the world as the Penang Snake Temple. Situated near the airport on the southern side of the…
Listen in the app2The Main Incense Hall
Stepping over the threshold into the main hall, your senses are immediately assaulted by the heavy, fragrant smoke of massive, coiled incense sticks hanging from the ceiling. This smoke is a critical element of the temple's…
Listen in the app3The Altar of Chor Soo Kong
Moving toward the center rear of the main hall, we arrive at the primary altar dedicated to Chor Soo Kong himself. The bronze statue of the monk sits in quiet contemplation, radiating a sense of deep peace amidst the reptilian…
Listen in the app4The Side Shrines and Photography Area
To the side of the main hall, we find smaller shrines dedicated to various other Buddhist and Daoist deities. Even here, in the quieter corners of the temple, the pit vipers can be found draped over the ornate woodwork. …
Listen in the app5The Courtyard and Architecture
Stepping out of the smoke-filled halls, we enter the open-air courtyard. The sudden rush of fresh, tropical air provides a sharp contrast to the dense atmosphere inside, allowing a clearer view of the temple's structural elegance. …
Listen in the app6The Snake Breeding Habitat
Behind the main temple complex lies a relatively recent addition: the enclosed Snake Breeding Habitat. This area was constructed in response to the declining population of wild snakes migrating to the temple due to rapid urban…
Listen in the app7The Spring Water Well
Near the breeding habitat, tucked away in a quiet corner of the grounds, is an ancient spring water well. This well is older than the current temple structure, providing a vital historical context to the site. …
Listen in the app8Snake Temple
As we exit the temple grounds and return to the modern world, the roar of a jet engine from the nearby Penang International Airport abruptly shatters the serene atmosphere. It is a stark reminder of the rapid urbanization that…
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What is Snake Temple?
Snake Temple is a place in Penang · Malaysia with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Penang · Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 5.3139, 100.2854 |
| Last updated |