Rock Jetty / WWII Relics / Oldest Temple in Penang Traditional Cache
Rock Jetty / WWII Relics / Oldest Temple in Penang
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(small)
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Park in the Thai Pak Koong Temple parking lot (rm3 cost).
The Tanjong Tokong World War II Relics are remains of a military installation on the coast of Tanjong Tokong, Penang. These were coastal defences built by the British in anticipation of Japanese invasion. The war relics of Tanjong Tokong comprises a number of bunkers and pill-boxes erected among the coastal boulders. There is also a three-storey look-out tower. These are located on the promontory facing the sea in front of the Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple. After the war, these relics were left in a state of disuse. Although they are still standing today, nothing much has been done to preserve them. In the 1960s, a retaining wall was built along the coast in front of the Tua Pek Kong Temple. This forms a sort of mini promenade for enjoying the sea breeze. The local philantrophist Aw Boon Haw also erected a pavilion in the area. This is still standing today, and is now integrated into the Sea Pearl Lagoon Cafe, a local seafood restaurant.
A little history on the Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple... Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple is the tokong ("Chinese temple") that gave its name to Tanjong Tokong. Officially known as the Thai Pak Koong Temple, is one of the oldest and most important Tua Pek Kong temples in Penang, and is also one of the oldest in the region. The name Tua Pek Kong means "Great Grand Uncle". Although there are Tua Pek Kong temples all over the country, this one venerates the deified form of a historical personality known as Zhang Li, a mid-18th century scholar of Hakka descent. Zhang Li left a troubled China along with two other companions (in some documents, they were described as his brothers) Qiu Zhao-Jin and Ma Fu-Chun. Enroute for Sumatra, their boat was blown off course and they landed in Penang instead. There they settled and established a Chinese settlement in Tanjong Tokong. After they passed on, they were buried in graves that today is to the left of the Tua Pek Kong Temple. This happened in the mid-18th century, some forty years before the arrival of Francis Light to establish George Town. Fifty years after the death of Zhang Li, the local Chinese began to venerate him as a god of prosperity, bestowing upon him the honorific title of Tua Pek Kong, meaning Great-Grand Uncle. The tombstones and temple dedicated to Zhang Li was built in 1799, during the 4th year of the reign of Ruidi, the Jia-Qing Emperor (1796-1820) of the Qing Dynasty. This makes the Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang. The Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple is noted for its annual flame watching ritual, called Chneah Hoay. This takes place on the 14th night of the Chinese New Year, which is the eve of Tua Pek Kong's Birthday. In this ceremony, embers in a ceremonial urn are fanned until the flames leaped up. The coming year's fortune is divined in the conflagration. Of note: The retaining wall/ rock jetty along the coast was badly damaged in the 2004 tsunami, but has since been repaired. The rocks and seaside pavilions are a favourite spot for anglers.
Now onto the Geocache: Take a walk out onto the beach. Check out the beautiful rock sculptures and the nice fishing village. Next climb the rocks up onto the jetty and take a walk out to the end of the rock jetty. Enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean and the surrounds. Happy hunting. You will need to go almost to the end. Proper trainers recommended, but not required. The rocks are large and easy to walk along. Additional hiding details in hint and photos.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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Treasures
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