Rumah Berhala Tow Boo Kong

If you're a Chinese-temple freak, it's worth checking out Rumah Berhala Tow Boo Kong which began its existence as a shed on a rented piece of land in 1971. The temple blossomed little by little and was completed in its final form in the year 2000. It's exceedingly ornate for a modern edifice, with a dramatic roof swarming with curving pagodas and golden dragons. It's home to a Taoist group who worship the Nine Emperor Gods, the nine sons of the Queen of Heaven, who are the patron deities of, among other things, prosperity and health.

Their festival, called none other than the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month each year when the Nine Emperor Gods are believed to descend to Earth from the stars. For nine days devotes show off their religious fervour and the temple becomes a hive of followers. Vegetarian food and snacks are prepared and sold at stalls during this time. The temple is north of the Jln Raja Uda and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway. Look for the temple on the right side of the road after the Butterworth Outer Ring Rd intersection.