Underwhelming Snake Temple
Snake Temple is an overrated attraction, far from the glamour promoted on tourist websites.
As the name suggested, the temple attracted snakes from the jungle after its completion in 1850. Remember that Bayan Lepas was all trees and wild animals before developing into the concrete and highways, as we see today.
All snakes roam freely around the temple, even the venomous vipers. Some said the incense smoke had turned the snakes drowsy, while some theorised they were de-fanged and de-venomed before being released around the temple. I have never heard any news on fatal incidents in the temple, yet I was careful of my surroundings to avoid the Snakes On A Plane scenario.
Ray and I had gone around Bayan Lepas for the morning and made our last stop before lunch. For a public holiday, the temple was less crowded than expected. Many tourists were staying in the packed Georgetown area, or sunbathing in Batu Ferringhi. After all, Bayan Lepas does not have many attractions.
I was expecting snakes slithering on the ground or twisting their bodies to form a horrifying, slimy nest. Instead, the snakes I encountered were sunbathing on the branches, or resting for humans to pet its scales under supervision. They seemed to enjoy their life without worrying about food or shelter.
A circular moon gate led us to a small floral garden behind the temple, with bougainvillea and desert roses planted around. This might be a sanctuary for the temple monks, where they hung their neutral-coloured cassocks at one corner of the garden. At the end of the garden was an established altar for Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Devotees would offer incense and fruits to this deity for spiritual blessings.
“Shall we go up there?” I followed Ray to a Chinese pavilion. The white Penang SPICE Arena was just behind the temple wall, which visitors can observe from the pavilion. These two neighbouring city icons gave a visual contrast between Penang’s historical and cultural past and Penang’s modern infrastructure.
Seeing that there was no more compelling stuff to see, we left.
The temple was a hunting spot for merchants to sell souvenirs. They had set up traps like toys, magnets, T-shirts, and key chains at the entrance to the temple, waiting for foreign tourists to take the bait.
“There are more fake snakes than actual snakes,” Ray poked the stuffed python hanging on the stalls. “They might as well display those.”
The Snake Temple should be at the bottom of your itinerary. Unless you are on the way back from Penang War Museum, or you do not know where to visit (which is impossible).
Date of Visitation: 1st May 2022
Address: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)