Bukit Tambun Thni Kong Keng 天公宮

Thnee Kong Beow, Bukit Tambun (23 May 2005)


Bukit Tambun Thni Kong Keng (Traditional/Simplified Chinese: 天公宮, Penang Hokkien: Tam3bun3 Thni3 Kong3 Keng1) (GPS: 5.27264, 100.44414), also called the Thnee Kong Beow (Traditional Chinese: 天公廟, Simplified Chinese: 天公庙, Pinyin: Tiāngōng Miào, Penang Hokkien: Thni3 Kong3 Beo33 ), also called is a Chinese temple in Bukit Tambun, Penang. It was built to venerate Thnee Kong, literally the Heavenly Grandfather. This particular deity is known in English as the Jade Emperor. Thus you can call this temple the Bukit Tambun Jade Emperor Temple. As it governs over all the mortals' realm, it is regarded as one of the highest Taoist deities, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.

Thnee Kong Beow of Bukit Tambun is similar to the Jade Emperor Pavilion in Air Itam, though on a smaller scale. It too sits on a knoll, or hilly slope, in this case overlooking Sungai Jawi. On my recent visit to the temple, I saw that the staircase leading up to the temple has been painted to resemble clouds.

A grand staircase leads from the main road to the front porch, which has an ornate roof supported by four dragon pillars. The façade is richly embellished with sculpted reliefs. The door plaque and couplets are inscribed onto the frontage of the doorway. A pair of rather fierce-looking door gods guard over the entrance. These face inward when the doors are open. Within the dark interior of the prayer hall is the altar to the Jade Emperor, or Thnee Kong, flanked on either sides by subsidiary deities.

Bukit Tambun Jade Emperor Temple (29 June 2016)


Thnee Kong Beow front entrance (23 May 2005)


Entrance to the Bukit Tambun Thni Kong Keng (29 June 2016)


The prayer hall of Bukit Tambun Jade Emperor Temple (29 June 2016)


Thnee Kong Beow prayer hall with altar to the Jade Emperor (23 May 2005)

Getting there

As the area is not served by bus, you have to reach it by your own transport. Take Exit 158 (Bukit Tambun Interchange) to leave the North-South Expressway. Follow the road sign in the direction of Bukit Tambun. Continue west on State Route P172 until you arrive at the temple on your left.

Bukit Tambun Thni Kong Keng is on the Map of Bukit Tambun

List of Chinese Temples in Penang and Chinese Temples in Malaysia