Penang Snake Temple

The Penang Snake Temple, officially the Hock Kin Keong Temple, is a unique and famous Chinese temple located in Bayan Lepas. It is renowned for a very unusual feature: it is home to a variety of living pit vipers. According to legend, the temple was built in honor of a Buddhist monk who gave shelter to the snakes of the jungle. After the temple was completed, the snakes are said to have moved in on their own accord and have been a feature of the temple ever since.

The snakes can be seen coiled around the altars, on decorative pillars, and on branches that have been set up for them. They are believed to have been rendered harmless by the continuous burning of incense in the temple. The temple also has a snake farm and a serpentarium at the back where visitors can see a wider variety of snakes and learn more about them. It is a truly one-of-a-kind attraction that draws curious visitors from all over the world.