Thursday, June 13, 2013

Penang War Musuem

Over the weekend of Agung's birthday we took an impromptu visit to Penang. It was a good weekend of Penang hawker food and we visited some places. If you are planning a trip to Penang with children, visit the War Museum and Butterfly Park. Definitely worth going. 

Penang War Museum

It is located at Bukit Batu Maung. It is a fortress built by the British army atop Bukit Maung, to protect the island against the enemy. Later it was taken over by the Japanese army and turned it into their army base with a dark history. Apparently locals kept well away from this for fear of its reputation as a place of hautings by ghosts of dead soldiers. :) 

The fortress was constructed over 20 acres of land, complete with underground military tunnels and ventilation shafts, ammunition bunkers, logistic centre, canon firing bays, sleeping quarters, cook houses and medical infirmary. 

This is an outdoor museum! So be prepare to walk, climb, crawl and have lots of fun. We enjoyed walking and crawling through tunnels and climbing steel ladders and saw first hand what it was like in an army base. 



 All ready to explore one of many tunnels in the museum



We crawled through this tunnel which led us to a 9 meters climb up a steel ladder. Reese chickened out when he saw the climb up!


My boys having fun crawling through the tunnel



A manual hand siren

Pictures of tortured captives

living quarters of various ranking officers


One of many tunnels leading to underground rooms

Walking around this place gave me a strange feeling, as if I am living in the past... 


Steel framed everywhere

In my next post, I will give you a review of the Butterfly Farm. It is better than KL Butterfly Farm! Stay tuned.......


3 comments:

CL said...

this war museum looks so fun and educational ... mmm...just not sure whether both kiddos understand the meaning of war and weapons ?! perhaps I shall visit the museum when they are older?

Nina @ BabyBoon said...

wow i'm looking forward to this one the next time we're in penang!

A gift from God said...

Chew Lee,

It doesn't matter whether they understand the history behind it, as they walk and explore this place, you can slowly teach the kids a little about the past! How often do you get to walk through dark tunnels or crawl through some of them? Make sure you bring a small touch light or handphone touch light. :)

Nina,
The boys will enjoy it!!