R. Doug Wicker — Author | Stories of Mystery and Adventure

August 19, 2026 · 5:35 am

Malaysia —Dhammikarama, Choo Chay Keong, and Armenian Street

In today’s article we’ll finish up with two photos of Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, then head over to Choo Chay Keong Temple before finishing up on Armenian Street. Along the way we’ll drive by a colorful Hindu temple with some really elaborate exterior details. So, lots to see and do, starting with those two photos of Dhammikarama Burmese Temple:. And whereas you saw the grounds on Monday, today I’ll treat you to pictures of the 27-foot/8.2-meter gilded standing Buddha as well as the altar containing a statue of Buddha in a teaching posture:

27-foot/8.2-meter gilded standing Buddha

Buddha altar, Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

After our tour group gathered and reboarded our bus, we headed toward Choo Chay Keong Temple, but not before passing yet another Hindu temple for some quick shots taken from the bus:

It was only about a ten-minute drive from Dhammikarama to Choo Chay Keong, which is located at the corner of Cannon and Armenian in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It’s small, but it’s worth a stop. That’s especially true as you’re now seconds away from the world-famous murals of Armenian Street.

Also known as Yap Kongsi Temple, this structure was built in 1924, and it was built as an ancestral clan house. The “Yap” and “Kongsi”names derive from the Lum Yeong Tong Yap Kongsi clans. Now for a quick look inside:

Now let’s head out onto Armenian Street. I’ll be showing you some really neat sights, including murals, next week. Until then, here’s a little something to whet your appetite:

Armenian Street, George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Malaysia — Exploring Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

Last Wednesday’s article left Wat Chayamangkalaram behind as I took you across the street to Dhammikarama Burmese Temple. The image above was taken at that latter location. It’s a statue of the Hindu deity Garuda. So, today I’ll show you around Dhammikarama, and this Wednesday we’ll finish up Dhammikarama, move on to Choo Chay Keong Temple, and then head over to Armenian Street. Next week we continue our look at the world-famous murals of Armenian Street, then go to Chew Jetty.

And as I mentioned last week, while Wat Chayamangkalaram is an explosion of colors, Dhammikarama Burmese Temple offers its own wonderful sights. Not better. Certainly not worse. Just different. But the difference is mostly attributable to Dhammikarama being a Burmese temple while Chayamangkalaram is in the Malaysian Siamese style.

As one might expect, Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is a historical site:

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple historical plaque

A fun statue here is of Panca-Rupa, a mythical creature that combines the trunk and tusks of an elephant, face of a lion, the legs and ears of a horse, deer antlers, the scaly body and tail of a fish, and the wings of Garuda. Here, a pair of Panca-Rupa are depicted protecting Earth: