The Snake Temple

The Temple of the Azure Clouds (蛇庙) is located in a more rural part of Penang Island, just a 10-minute drive from the airport. Built in 1805 to honor the deified Chinese Buddhist monk Qingshui (1047-1101), the small traditional Chinese-style temple is fairly nondescript, although its more common name - The Snake Temple - hints at what makes it so unique.

The temple is said to be filled with dozens of venomous vipers!

The legend says that, among all his other miraculous works, Master Qingshui was also known for having given shelter to snakes. I'm not sure why. It's a bit of an odd legend.

Anyway, according to local lore, as soon as the temple was completed, a number of Wagler's pit vipers moved in, giving credence to the legend. In fact, due to this snake species' special connections to the temple, they are often referred to as "temple snakes".

I wasn't really sure what to expect as I stepped inside the small, dark temple... but the temple's guardian didn't look too concerned, so neither was I.

The snakes are arboreal and nocturnal. It's said that the sacred incense keeps them docile, but I've also heard that they have had their fangs removed as well for visitor's safety. After all, they are venomous.

It was honestly a little underwhelming! The snakes were just lounging around on wooden stands to either side of the temple shrine. I didn't get too close, though.

The temple also houses a snake breeding and research center, and donations go towards promoting their work.

I wasn't originally going to visit the temple, but since I was near the airport, I decided to stop in. It's worth a visit if you're passing by, but it's probably not worth going out of your way to go and see.

I was on the way to the airport to pick up my wife who was coming to meet me in Penang for a few days during her days off of work! It's the first vacation we've had together in a while, and we've really been looking forward to it. I had to come a few days earlier for visa reasons, but we are really excited to explore Penang together.