Travel Diaries: The Snake Temple, Penang - Taoist temple filled with free roaming Pit Vipers! 🐍
Also known as Temple of The Azure Clouds ☁️
It is the only one of it’s kind (for pit vipers and pythons), and is world famous.
..........
This Taoist temple was constructed in 1850, to venerate a deified monk (Chor Soo Kong) who was believed to be a healer.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/5p26urnlv/front.jpg)
Fun fact: Chor Soo Kong is from the “Tan” clan, and also originates from the Fujian Province.
The story, I was told, is that Chor Soo Kong had at the ability to summon rain at will, saving a dry village. Soon after consecration, local pit vipers from surrounding jungle found refuge on the temple grounds. Chor Soo Kong decided to let them remain, instead of have them removed.
Since that day, snakes have slithered their way in-and-out of the temple as they please.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/fh4v0eyir/front.jpg)
Due to development and loss of habitat over the years, the snakes are dwindling in numbers. One of the groundskeepers said that some devotees ‘donate’ snakes on the birthday of Char Soo Kong; a mass celebration on temple grounds.
Join me as I discover Penang’s revered Snake Temple…
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/i09e3fupv/greydividemed.png)
Souvenirs.
Stores just outside the temple doors have every type of knick knack you can think of. Great stop for souvenirs!
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/vm0gl4gn7/store3.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/o22s5by2r/store2.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/6lcwytidf/blacklinesmall.png)
Proceed with Caution.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/kref5g85f/careful_walking_under_areas.jpg)
Be careful when walking under lush growth or overhead structures - snakes tend to seek higher levels.
My advice is be wary where you step, stand and place your hands - pit vipers are everywhere. Coiled on tree’s, carefully camouflaged and invisible to the naked eye, pending careful inspection.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/6lcwytidf/blacklinesmall.png)
Breeding Farm.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/3ukqzab7n/out.jpg)
The temple has it’s own breeding farm. I’m not sure why these snakes are bred or where they go. I didn’t want to be outdoors longer than I had to, so I skipped on that part of the temple.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/6lcwytidf/blacklinesmall.png)
Found the most exquisite doors on the way to the altars!
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/x65sjip1f/MG_9810-1srgb_longedge.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/6lcwytidf/blacklinesmall.png)
Altars.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/5aw9hfe4j/main.jpg)
You can choose to light joysticks or buy lotus shaped candles/larger pineapple shaped candles as offering to the deities. The smoke from the incense is said to carry your wishes, hopes and dreams to a higher power.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/st7913gar/urn.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/o5wlll3k3/altar.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/6lcwytidf/blacklinesmall.png)
🐲 Pit Vipers.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/54n5s2udf/snake1.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/9chy0tvsz/chil.jpg)
In case you’re wondering (because I did) no one has ever been bitten but just in case, the snakes are developed. Although, the informative grounds keeper says that they aren’t de-fanged and still extremely poisonous.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/uehxf614z/chil2.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/3zt3mp7wj/notice.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s19.postimg.org/i09e3fupv/greydividemed.png)
Verdict:
Snake Temple, Penang is a must visit. It is so different to any temple you’ve been and having highly venomous (maybe, maybe not, meh, who knows) pit vipers hovering above you and slithering around your person, is an emboldening experience.
Visitors are also able to take a professional photo with a python hanging off their body for RM30.
A truly interesting place to visit. A temple is supposed to be calm and relaxing, I can't image you being calm and relaxed in a place full of poisonous snakes!
you'd be surprised.
extremely peaceful ✨
it is good to see the temple still thriving, 40 years ago the priests would drape the snakes around you for free.
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVP1YrKrabtVxvC3Pgp9mVkGesLMYB5sJ1hr8ttzVtXKZ/image.png)
The first snake I ever held was in the temple, that was nowhere as elaborate then as it is today
oh wow!! 💖
these days they drape a 24m long python on visitors! and theres the rm30 fee that goes toward upkeep. the babies are kept in the breeding farm and the rest just laze on higher ground.
thanks for the photo! i hope this brought back some good memories!
we were there before the tourists were a big thing. It was a typical scruffy temple. We had an Aussie with us that took us there and showed us where it was.
I was mainly worried that they might be hungry and decide to invite me for lunch, the priests said they came and went as they wanted to, and being the first touch of a snake, it is a place I will never forget.
you're right! before it was a place known to locals, so not much of an income in terms of donations/restoration - with it now being so well known, the influx of tourists>donations>govt attention can now upgrade ridges/etc with motifs representing the Tan clan, and maintainence.
lol to be honest, i didn't realize the snakes would hang over the walkdome until we met the friendly groundskeeper. they really blend in well with the tree's and branches from below.
great experience all around! have you visited elsewhere in Malaysia?
I was with the RNZAF for 26 years and got to singapore, Butterworth three or four times.
I am working on a post about iit now
wow! thats a longggg time. sounds so interesting! totally looking forward to reading about it! 🙌🏼
some of the early yarns are under the tab RNZAF or at the bottom of my post list. have a read and a laugh.
sweet! thank you! 😀
finally @belekaur .. i think i may have actualy been here before. Thanks for sharing such details of playing with snakes ... heh
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag453/Simon_Pang/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-25%20at%208.04.21%20PM_zpsohmnthtn.png)
btw ... do checkout my latest ( Michelle Yeoh a Penangite )
Very nice pictures. Following you now. I like to post pictures of my travels around asia myself.
thank you i'll take a peek!
fantastic pictures. Those doors are amazing!
thank you! those doors are so gorgeous, and heavy!
Great post! Keep it up :)
By the way, I'm following you now
Cheers
thanks man!! ✨
That looks so cool vipers and all I would travel there for sure. But I got bad luck a viper is biting me no doubt. Did you actually see a pit filled with snakes?
well, it's a snake temple, were snakes freely roam about. no pits like the movies lol
lol I swear there was a pit of snakes like Indiana Jones temple of doom 😂😂
Wow! This is awesome and scary at the same time! 🐍
You have to visit this temple when you get there!
Ah man! I'll chicken out 😂😂😂
i get so confused with reply threads! 😅😂😂
and nooo, don't chicken out. it's strange but you'll be fine! gooo
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Wow, such a wonderful and interesting place. I do think I would get a little bit nervous with the snakes 'hanging around' ;)
walking under open walkdomes with vine coverings are a little nervewrecking but, hey! no ones gotten bit 😆😅
Yeah, that's what they tell you to not scare you off, haha
lol! you could be right, in which case, i survived and lived to tell the tale 🙋🏻