The most beautiful religious buildings Northwest

The kongsi has a dual function. It enables members of the same family clan to gather together, and it serves as a temple dedicated to a family's ancestors. Penang has many kongsi, but the Khoo's is by far the finest. The Khoo, a powerful family from Fujian, built their kongsi in 1851 and added a temple in 1894. On the eve of its inauguration, after many years of work, the temple was destroyed by fire. Only the image of Tua Sai Yeah was spared. The fire was attributed to the anger of the gods at such a pretentious construction. The temple was rebuilt more modestly and completed in 1906. A major renovation was completed in 2017.

As you emerge from Cannon Square, it's a shock to discover this indescribable, glittering mass. In addition to its superb bas-reliefs, the courtyard features two lions, two imposing granite Sikh guardians and two even larger Chinese guardians. The main hall houses statues of Tua Sai Yeah and Ong Son Tai Sai, Yar Yar. To the left opens the ancestor worship hall, and in the third hall reigns Tua Peh Kong, ruddy and happy. Plaques on the walls bear the names of Khoo who have succeeded in their studies or careers. Black ebony furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl is everywhere. Opposite, the festival hall: this is where the bonzes gather for religious ceremonies and where wayangs are performed.

The Monastery of Supreme Bliss, inhabited by monks and nuns, is considered the largest in Southeast Asia. The huge statue of Kuan Yin that dominates it from the top of the hill makes it easy to spot. The construction, completed in 1890, was the brainchild of a native Chinese monk who drew inspiration from the monasteries of his native region, while adding Burmese and Thai elements. The project took over twenty years to complete. Past the inevitable souvenir stores, you come to a disappointing courtyard with a miniature pagoda and a papier-mâché Buddha. Further on stands a sanctuary with, at its center, a large Buddha statue in the Chieng Sen style (^13th century), from northern Thailand.

The Hall of the Bodhisattvas: these are Buddhas who have renounced nirvana to remain close to humans, helping them by answering their prayers. They are considered saints. The swastika they wear on their chests is an ancient symbol from India. It represents depth of faith, longevity and strength.

The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings: on either side of the room, these kings flank the laughing Buddha Maitreya, known here as Bee Lay Hood. The Four Kings are supposed to guard the winds and the gates of paradise at the four cardinal points. They crush under their feet the drunkard, the drug addict, the gambler and the prostitute to whom paradise is forbidden. The most astonishing is the celestial king who plays the lute while trampling his victim.

The Buddha Hall: surrounded by his two favorite disciples and others who were among his earliest pupils (known as the Lohans). There's also Kuan Yin on the left. The decor, dominated mainly by sober yellows, greens and reds, is extremely rich. The sanctuary is also very well maintained.

The Pagoda of a Million Precious Buddhas: its name is inscribed on the building's frontispiece. 30 m high, its seven storeys alternate between Chinese, Burmese and, at the top, Thai styles. A hundred-year-old cerberus nun guards the entrance and makes sure you pay the right amount. Then it's an exhausting climb to the top of the hill... where the view of the village of Ayer Itam and the hills is unremarkable.

Once back down, you can sample the vegetarian cuisine of the restaurant under the shopping arcade at the entrance. This long visit, which is generally much appreciated, takes some time, and requires a comforting break.

From the centre, the walk lasts from 20 to 30 minutes to the mosque located at the exit of the city. We cross a pretty garden, the Perak River and pass in front of beautiful colonial houses. The mosque is impressive and majestic, although ultimately quite small. It is commensurate with the wealth of the sultan, with a quantity of gold and marble. Its onion bulb-shaped domes are reminiscent of an Orthodox church. It is possible to walk around the main dome, but access to the mosque is restricted to Muslims only.

This temple was founded 100 years ago by a meditative and serene Chinese monk who lived there withdrawn for 20 years. The temple, still in operation, welcomes Buddhist monks and nuns. After climbing 246 steps, you reach the main cave where many statues are found. These cohabit with stalactites and stalagmites formed by limestone deposits. In a basin, turtles and carps sleep, symbols of longevity. A Taoist vegetarian restaurant is located at the foot of the temple and allows you to gain strength before the ascent.

Passed the ark on which its name is written, entering a red courtyard. The temple houses a beautiful altar with four statues of Killed Péh Kong, easily recognisable to its happy air and pilgrim's stick. Above the statues is a covered parchment parchment.

To go to the most famous Georgetown building, Dr Kongsi, you have to take Cannon Street, between the Yap Temple and the Chinese bistro, with, on the right, beautiful restored Chinese houses. We turn left under a vault named Cannon Square, which is the place where Dr Kongsi rises. On the left, facing the temple, a narrow lane overlooks Lebuh Armenian. The holes, visible in the walls, dates fighting between secret societies, around 1860. The windows were bouchées, because we were pulled from one window to the other, and, as the ruelle is not 2 m wide, you could not miss it! In order to restore order, the English were forced to bring the Singapore Sepoys to the barrel of the belligerents. Hence the name of Cannon Square.

This temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Goodness. It's Georgetown's oldest Chinese temple, built in 1728. The entrance is through a large granite-paved courtyard, overrun with pigeons that let themselves be fatally fed by devotees. At the center of the courtyard stand two green lions and two enormous cauldrons for the most serious cases. Barren women, or those unfortunate enough to have only daughters, throw incense sticks(joss sticks) into the cauldrons in whole bundles. The first temple, with walls and ceilings blackened by incense smoke, is dedicated to Kuan Yin. On the roof stand the traditional dragons, also carved on the entrance pillars. At the far end, in a glass cage, the goddess appears, crowned and dressed in a red or white gown, depending on the festival. The temple is not very large, and the worshippers, mostly women, must not be disturbed. More rarely mentioned, behind the temple, a building is preceded by a courtyard. Against its wall, a hilarious Buddha holds in his hands the blue bag from which all happiness will flow when he returns to Earth. Two other Kuan Yin statues can also be seen here. In the background, facing the Buddha, Kuan Yu, god of learning and war (Kuan Kong, see "Nin Yong Temple" below), appears surrounded by mandarins who have brilliantly obtained their parchment donkey skins. This god is particularly revered by students. The place is peaceful and the incense smoke more bearable in the open air.

Built in the heart of Little India over 200 years ago, Sri Maha Mariamman is Penang's oldest Hindu temple. The entrance tower, called a gopuram, is richly carved and decorated with colorful representations of deities and sacred animals. Since pujahs, or prayers, take place in the morning, don't hesitate to come and observe the ceremonies of offerings to the deities performed by the temple's priests. A fascinating and disconcerting experience.