Thni Kong Tnua, Ayer Itam

Thni Kong Tnua, Ayer Itam, Penang (26 January 2012)


Thni Kong Tnua is one of the major temples in Penang, and the main one to be dedicated to the Taoist God of Heaven. It is often translated as the Jade Emperor Pavilion, and is often transcribed as Thnee Kong Tnuah. The temple is perced on a steep slope at the foot of Penang Hill, just to the right side of the bottom station of the Penang Hill Railway.

I revisited the Thni Kong Tnua on 26 January, 2012, during Chinese New Year, to see how the temple appears. When I first visited a few years ago, it was still in the midst of restoration. Since then, the restoration has been completed, and I am able to view it as it is intended. In particular, the grand staircase leading up to the temple has been completed.

Mid-way pavilion on the Grand Staircase of Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Under the Grand Staircase of Thni Kong Tnua is a tortoise pond with tortoises and fishes. It is slightly better kept than the Tortoise Pond at Kek Lok Si Temple. Both temples are under the management of the Kong Hock Keong Temple, better known as the Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street or Kuan Im Teng.

The following are the photos taken during my 2012 visit to the Thni Kong Tnua. To learn more about this temple, please go to the main page on Thni Kong Tnua.

Grand staircase towards Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Front façade of Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Looking down the Grand Staircase from Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Outer Sanctuary, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Hall of the Immortals at Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Pavilion of the Inner Sanctuary, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Altar of the Jade Emperor, Inner Sanctuary, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Trigram Dome, Inner Sanctuary, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Pantheon of Taoist Deities, Inner Sanctuary, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Incense burner, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Side Temple, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)


Tortoise Pond, Thni Kong Tnua (26 January 2012)

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