Paya Terubong, Penang

Paya Terubong, Penang (23 March 2013)


Paya Terubong (GPS: 5.37388, 100.2757), (Traditional Chinese: 壟尾; Simplified Chinese: 垄尾; Pinyin: Lǒngwěi; Penang Hokkien: Long1boey4) is a working-class neighbourhood in the central part of Penang Island.

Paya Terubong was named after terubong, a type of grass known scientifically as Cyrtococcum oxyphyllum. The name Paya Terubong refers to a ravine, rather than swamp, in which the grass grows. The Penang Hokkien name, Long1 Boey4 (壟尾, 垄尾) means "end of the ridge" (hujung banjaran/batas).

Located at the heart of Penang Island, to the south of Air Itam, Paya Terubong is surrounded by hill ranges. The main road through this neighbourhood is Jalan Paya Terubong, which links Air Itam to the north with Relau on the lowlands to the south.

Until the mid 1970's, Paya Terubong was still very much undeveloped, with most of its inhabitants being farmers working the hill slopes. A good portion of Paya Terubong is taken up by a big Chinese cemetery managed by the United Hokkien Association. As scarcity of land in Penang becomes more pressing, the hill slopes in Paya Terubong began to be cleared for residential development since the beginning of the 1980's.

Today Paya Terubong is one of the most densely populated high rise places in Penang. Sandwiched between the hills are towering apartment blocks. The majority of the population in Paya Terubong are the working class wage earners, mostly Chinese, living in low cost and medium cost apartments, many of which could use a new coat of paint. There are also some landed properties constructed in Paya Terubong, with a few upmarket ones being developed in the last few years.

Map of Paya Terubong, Penang

High-rise Residential Properties

Low-, Medium and Affordable Residential Properties

Landed Residential Properties in Paya Terubong

Markets in Paya Terubong

Petrol Stations in Paya Terubong

Schools in Paya Terubong

Hospitals or Public Clinics in Paya Terubong

Chinese Temples in Paya Terubong

Mosques in Paya Terubong

Hindu Temples in Paya Terubong

Miscellaneous sights in Paya Terubong

Roads in Paya Terubong

Commercial Properties in Paya Terubong

What to eat in Paya Terubong

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Coffee Shops and restaurants in Paya Terubong

Businesses in Paya Terubong

Clinics in Paya Terubong

Streets in Paya Terubong

Towering apartments in Paya Terubong (23 March 2013)

Location of Paya Terubong

Measured from the junction of Lebuhraya Thean Teik with Jalan Paya Terubong (GPS: 5.384526, 100.275219), Paya Terubong is 8.4 km to Komtar, 9.6 km to the Penang Bridge, 15.0 km to the Second Penang Bridge and 11.5 km to the Penang International Airport.

Public Transport in Paya Terubong

Paya Terubong is served by Rapid Penang Bus 201, 202, 203, 301 and 306. The area is 7.6 km from Komtar, meaning it is moderately near to the city centre. Having said that, I should point out that the roads to George Town is often congested particularly during rush hours.

Amenities in Paya Terubong

Excluding Sekolah Asrama Paya Terubong, a boarding school, the nearest public schools in Paya Terubong include Kong Min Primary School and a few schools in neighbouring Farlim. There is a makeshift market along Jalan Paya Terubong. Econsave Supermarket is in neighbouring Farlim. Sunshine Farlim is further away in Farlim. Nearest hospital is Lam Wah Ee, about 40 minutes away. There is a Shell petrol station near the junction with Lebuhraya Thean Teik and a Petronas station opposite the Paya Terubong Mosque.

Traffic situation in Paya Terubong

Jalan Paya Terubong, the main artery for the neighbourhood is only two lanes in most sections, making traffic movement slow. This neighbourhood is quite landlocked, with the hills surrounding it, and access only thorugh Air Itam, Farlim and Relau, over the hills. The nearest hospital is too far away. The low-cost housing here is the most affordable on the island. If that's all you can afford, I have nothing to say. But if you can afford it, and are looking for medium or high cost properties, I would advise that you weigh the traffic congestion in Paya Terubong before deciding.

List of Towns in Penang and Towns in Malaysia