Penang Snake Temple

This temple has been around since 1805. It’s a small, simple temple. There were only a few snakes visible during my visit, mostly curled up and sleeping. Good for a quick look if you are in the Bayan Lepas area, but don't expect like Kek Lok Si. Admission is free.

Wow, the Snake Temple in Penang is absolutely wild! I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in—literal snakes just chilling on the altars and rafters. Honestly, it was super creepy but also totally mind-blowing at the same time. The atmosphere is intense, and the history behind it is seriously cool. Totes worth checking out if you're in the area!

Worth a visit if you have 10–15 minutes to spare. Inside the temple there are several snakes on display in the open. For a compulsory fee, you can have your photo taken with a very large snake if you wish. Outside, there is a small garden where you can try to spot snakes in the trees — they are extremely well camouflaged. Entry to the temple itself is free.

A bit far from the city but it was worth the trip. Snakes were inside the hall and outside in the trees. You can also pay to take photos with the python in the plastic box.

It’s a historic temple famous for having many snakes. But it has changed a lot as the world evolving. Now no more snakes everywhere, but only on the trees and the quantity is like not even 1/10 of what my parents used to see during their young age. The temple is now a tourist attraction more than a worship place, all incense pot inside the temple were covered, only incense pot outside the temple can be used. The temple is seriously lacking of signboard and notice for people to know where they “hide” the worshipping place and incense burner. The staff/old nun selling incense obviously not the kind of good temples person probably due to many people asking her where to find incense burner but this can actually be avoided if they put proper signage. I see this as a mismanagement problem. The parking is not free, the moment your car came in someone will come to collect RM2, but after that they don’t car and don’t watch your car.

I’d strongly advise every sane human being to never step even one foot into this hellhole of a temple. It actually isn’t really a temple, it’s trying to make as much dirty money by abusing animals in the most inhumane ways possible. What they call their temple is small and boring, the focus is all on the snakes. There’s a few green vipers that are apparently alive and poisonous (pretty stupid for such an organisation not to know that they’re venomous but no surprise) laying on branches and coat hanger like structures. Not a single one moved over a span of one hour. They’re either heavily sedated or just dead. The pythons are being forced on brainwashed tourists shoulders before they can finally escape back into their way too small naked glass container. The staff doesn’t know a thing about snakes and if confronted about why they break so many animal welfare laws just start insulting in Chinese. The turtles at the end didn’t even surprise me anymore which might just be the saddest part about all this. Even for Asian animal rights standards this was shocking. Beautiful creatures being used and tortured for money is just disgusting. Shame on everyone supporting this.

The Penang Snake Temple has been around for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is my dad taking me there on his motorbike all the way from town — back when the journey felt like an adventure through rocky roads and hills, long before the area became the tourist-friendly spot it is today. Though the place has evolved to accommodate visitors, it’s heartening to see the temple still preserving its original architecture and charm. The walls, the altar, the incense – all feel frozen in time, carrying the same calm and mystique from decades ago. As for the snakes? Not as many as before, and mostly the same species now. I still remember there used to be this huge, anaconda-like snake that added a bit of thrill to the visit — that’s now just a memory, but one that sticks. Today, it’s more of a quiet symbolic presence than a live zoo. It’s not about the number of snakes anymore. It’s about the nostalgia, the cultural roots, and the memories tied to simpler times. For me, this place isn’t just a tourist attraction – it’s a time capsule that brings back the scent of temple smoke, the sound of my dad’s old bike, and the feeling of being a wide-eyed kid again.

Common Chinese temple located at Bayan Lepas, amid MNC factories. Parking required RM 2 fee. The unique of this temple is that the snake is openly exhibited to visitors. Visitors are able to have close contact with snake without any cage. There is a signboard warn visitor to not touch the snake. All snakes on trees are venomous snakes. No entry ticket is needed. If you wish to donate to this temple, you are encouraged to do so.

Historically Temple in Penang. It is free. It was built in 1850. The temple is to rennet a great person. Now day, people only asking for blessings. Snake Temple definitely has the venom snake. So only you can se but don't touch. The snake will not strike and happily reside there. The temple is at the hill of the snake in the old time. But many industries has developed surrounding the temple, the snake is disappearing from the area. Only the one in the snake Temple are the remaining snake. They put a few at the god statue area. Most of the snake is actually at the fruit tree behind the worship area. The snake garden tree. Our visit here was pleasant. We were able to witness the mouse was climbing at the back of the snake. These mouses is for their lunch. But since they have lunch, the mouse can climb at the back of the snake.

This temple has been famous in the past as the only temple that houses poisonous vipers and other snakes. It is a popular tourist destination in Penang but also functions as a proper temple devoted to a kind monk who housed snakes in his abode. When I visited however, it seems the amount of snakes have decreased significantly to what others have described. There were only one or two snakes at the altar area. There is a beautiful garden at the back dedicated to snake breeding but we saw none. Maybe e should have looked harder. However, there is a snake exhibit which charges an entrance fee. It was, unfortunately, not opened the day I visited. The temple in general does not charge you for entering but you can make donations at a small counter to the right of the altar.

The Snake Temple in Penang Island is probably one of the oldest temples in Penang with histories dating back to the early 1800's as I was told by the locals and the care takers of the Temple. I remembered this temple used to be one of my favourite places to visit in Penang when I was a small kid, I love the idea of exotic reptiles as pets and snakes is no exception. One thing I find uniquely scary here is that almost all the snakes in this temple are dangerously venomous! I am no expert in Herpetology but I was told by the care takers that they have a lot of Pit Vipers that are very venomous and can kill an adult in a matter of minutes! (Scary). However, being a sacred temple, all the snakes here are non-aggressive to visitors and you can even touch them if you Dare! Generally the temple opens from 6am to 7pm everyday and the entrance is free, but if you want to visit their snake farm they impose a fee between RM5 to RM10 (I'm not too sure). This temple is definitely a must visit tourist destination especially if you have very curious and adventurous children with you.

Worth a trip because when else will you have a viper on your head, while a boa is around your neck. It's a quick visit. Unlikely you will be there very long. It looks like a regular temple from the street. But inside are vipers. They say the incense keeps them calm. It's sort of freaky. You don't realize they're right there...until you do. And then I found myself thinking they were everywhere. They used to have a king cobra show where the snake keeper would kiss the cobra. The show is no longer available. They said it was stopped because it is cruel and unnatural to the snake and too dangerous to the men. I asked how they are so certain they won't be bitten. He said kissing a snake is just like kissing a girl. Take your time, stay calm and gentle. If not, a girl might slap you and a snake might bite you. They do have a red dot on the head of one of the vipers. They say that's how they know which viper has his venom removed. But what happens when he sheds his skin? He is mixed up with all the still venomous vipers. ?????

Its a colorful place near the airport. I see it every time I leave the airport. They have a number of animals onsite and one really large snake in particular. If you pet that large snake from tail to head followed by a kiss then you will have good luck... I think.