Mount Erskine Kuan Yim See 檳城白雲山觀音寺

The Kuan Yim See Temple (GPS: 5.45106, 100.29581; 檳城白雲山觀音寺, Penang Hokkien: Paek3 Hoon3 Snua1 Kuan3 Im3 Si33 , pinyin: Báiyún Shan Guanyin Sì) is a huge Chinese temple complex in Mount Erskine, Penang. It occupies the slopes of Mount Erskine facing Tanjong Tokong. I discovered the temple through Google Map, and paid it a visit on 9 February, 2014.

A steep hill road, Lebuh Halia 1, leads up the hill to the parking area of the temple. The parking area has a shelter under which there are space to park a number of cars, along with additional parking lots in the open-air car park.

Contact

Kuan Yim See Temple 檳城白雲山觀音寺
Lebuh Halia 1,
11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
Phone: 04-899 6509

The sheltered parking area at Kuan Yim See Temple (9 February 2014)


Staircase from the parking area towards the temple proper (9 February 2014)


From the parking area, a series of steps leads up to the temple proper. On the other side of the parking shelter is a trolley system that look a lot like the inclined lift at Kek Lok Si Temple. However, it does not appear to be functioning. I am not sure whether it is used to transport goods or passengers. I suppose it could be operational on festive days to provide an alternative way to ascend the hill slope towards the temple.

The inclined lift at Kuan Yim See Temple (9 February 2014)


As you climb up the stairs, you pass a liberation pond. Despite its name, there is a signboard telling visitors not to release any tortoises or snakes into the pond. I suppose this was put up because visitors have done such a thing, to the inconvenience of the temple management. The liberation pond itself appeared to be dry.

The liberation pond at Kuan Yim See Temple (9 February 2014)


The temple buildings are whitewashed with maroon-coloured wooden windows. I thought they look a lot like Tibetan-style architecture. The steps winds their way to the main landing. From there, continue down a corridor to the main prayer hall.

Buildings at Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


A large brass censer faces the hill slope in front of the doorway into the main prayer hall. From here, one can get a view of the coastline below.

The main prayer hall is profusely decorated with pots of chrysanthemums. At the far end are installed the images of various Buddhas and bodhisattvas. There are three principal images at the centre. These are flanked by other images on the left and right, with minor statuettes around them.

Brass censer, Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


Entrance to main prayer hall, Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


The main prayer hall at Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


Apart from the main prayer hall, there is a lot of other interesting features on the grounds of Kuan Yim See Temple. Past the toilet, you reach the Lotus Pagoda. This ornamental feature is the centrepiece of a pond. Floating on the pond are artificial lotus blossoms.

Lotus pagoda, Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


Artificial lotus, Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


There is a pavilion closely for people to take a rest and enjoy the view. The octagonal pavilion is located near a standing image of Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy. The statue faces a square from where one can catch a nice view of George Town.

Octagonalo pavilion, Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


The Kuan Yin statue at Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)


Another series of stairs lead from the Kuan Yin square up the hill. These stairs goes to a number of shrines with Buddha statues. There is one of a reclining Buddha, a standing Buddha and a seated Buddha image. The seated Buddha image is installed at the sheltered platform near the highest part of the temple.

A reclining Buddha at Kuan Yim See (10 February 2014)


A standing Buddha at Kuan Yim See (10 February 2014)


The seated Buddha at Kuan Yim See (10 February 2014)


In addition to the goddess of mercy and Buddha, there is also a shrine to Datuk Nenek. This is the local earth spirit. Coming down from the elevated section of the temple, one returns to the main portion of Kuan Yin See. The most prominent feature here is a lotus sculpture bearing a pavilion with three Buddha images installed under a roof with pointed ridges. On the hill behind the pavilion is the name of the temple, Mount Erskine Kuan Yim See Temple, written in Chinese.

A lotus feature at the garden of Kuan Yim See (9 February 2014)

Contact

Kuan Yim See Mount Erskine
675 Lebuhraya Halia
10470 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penanggys

Getting there

Due to its location, Kuan Yim See Temple is best reached by private vehicle. At the Mount Erskine-Fettes Park intersection, take Lebuhraya Halia. At the first junction, turn right to Lebuh Halia 1. This is the road that runs though the Chinese cemetery - one of many in Mount Erskine. The road continues behind Puncak Erskine flats. You will see a signboard for Kuan Yim See Temple as you negotiate the slope. The road goes all the way to the parking area of the temple.

Add caption text here (9 February 2014)

Location of the Mount Erskine Kuan Yim See on the map

List of Chinese Temples in Penang and Chinese Temples in Malaysia

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