Jiu Wang Ye (九皇爷): 30 September to 8 October 2027. Nine nights of temple processions, firewalking and vegetarian food, ending with the gods sent to the sea.
For nine nights every year, Penang's Taoist temples welcome the Nine Emperor Gods, known locally as Jiu Wang Ye, Jiu Huang Ye or Kew Ong Yah. Devotees dress in white and eat vegetarian, yellow flags go up over food stalls across the state, and the temples fill every evening with chanting, drums and incense.
The best nights to go are the eve (the welcoming), day 7 (firewalking in past years) and day 9, when a procession carries the gods to the sea at Pantai Bersih in Butterworth. The biggest celebration is at Tow Boo Kong Temple in Butterworth. On the island, go to Tow Boo Kong on Burmah Road; the oldest temple is in George Town's heritage zone.
It is not a public holiday. Dates follow the Chinese lunar calendar, so they move each year.
Stay in George Town for the festival. Dates are filled in; change them.
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2027年槟城九皇爷（九皇大帝诞）于农历九月初一至初九举行，即9月30日至10月8日；迎神仪式在前一晚（9月29日）。 规模最大的是北海斗母宫（Jalan Raja Uda），最后一晚送神至北海 Pantai Bersih 海边。岛上可到车水路斗母宫（Burmah Road）；乔治市最古老的是斗母宫九皇大帝庙（Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze）。 九天期间全槟各地有挂黄旗的素食档。
Rituals happen mostly after dark. The highlighted nights are the ones worth planning around.
Eve · Wed 29 September
Welcoming the gods. Processions go to the waterfront at night to receive the gods and bring them back to the temples.
Day 1 · Thu 30 September
The nine lamps go up. Vegetarian stalls open across Penang and stay open all nine days.
Day 2 · Fri 1 October
Evening prayers, mediums and processions. Best after dark.
Day 3 · Sat 2 October
Evening prayers, mediums and processions. Best after dark.
Day 4 · Sun 3 October
Evening prayers, mediums and processions. Best after dark.
Day 5 · Mon 4 October
Evening prayers, mediums and processions. Best after dark.
Day 6 · Tue 5 October
Evening prayers, mediums and processions. Best after dark.
Day 7 · Wed 6 October
Firewalking night at Tow Boo Kong in past years. Confirm the time at the temple.
Day 8 · Thu 7 October
Bridge-crossing ritual for good luck in past years.
Day 9 · Fri 8 October
The send-off. A late-night procession carries the gods to the sea at Pantai Bersih, Butterworth.
Two big temples in Butterworth, three on the island in George Town.
Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth
The biggest celebration in Penang. Expect the largest crowds, the firewalking, rows of vegetarian food stalls, and the procession that takes the gods to the sea at Pantai Bersih on the last night.
Directions in Google Maps
Raja Uda, Butterworth
The second big Nine Emperor Gods temple in Butterworth, rebuilt on a much larger scale in 2015 and lit up at night. It is in the same Raja Uda area as Tow Boo Kong, so you can see both in one evening.
Directions in Google Maps
Burmah Road (Jalan Burma), George Town
One of the three biggest Nine Emperor Gods celebrations in Penang, and the big one on the island. During the festival the altar moves out onto the five-foot way under yellow 九皇大帝 banners, a tall bamboo lamp pole goes up outside, and devotees pray from the pavement. It sits right next to the Kuan Yin temple (觀音寺).
Directions in Google MapsJalan Cheong Fatt Tze, off Carnarvon Street, George Town
Said to be the oldest Nine Emperor Gods temple in Penang, dating from a small shrine set up around 1840. Two yellow-painted shophouses in the heritage zone: the easiest one to reach if you are staying in George Town.
Directions in Google MapsNoordin Street, George Town
A smaller Dou Mu temple in George Town that also marks the nine days. Good for a quieter, neighbourhood feel close to Komtar.
Directions in Google MapsTake the Penang ferry from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Weld Quay): about 10 minutes, RM 2.00 per adult each way. From the Butterworth terminal, a short Grab gets you to Jalan Raja Uda. On the send-off night, plan your ride home in advance: the procession runs late and Grab demand spikes.
These are sacred rituals. Watch quietly, stand back, and ask before close-up photos.
Mediums go into trance and may pierce their cheeks with skewers while channelling the gods. Intense to watch: keep your distance and stay quiet.
Devotees cross a bed of burning coals barefoot. In past years this has been held around the 7th day at Tow Boo Kong.
Devotees pass over a symbolic bridge to leave bad luck behind, usually around the 8th day.
Nine oil lamps are raised on a tall bamboo pole at the temple, one for each of the gods. They stay lit for the whole festival.
Look for the yellow triangular flags: they mark stalls serving festival vegetarian food.
Vegetarian char siew, roast duck and rendang made from soy and wheat gluten.
Fried rice vermicelli with vegetables, tofu and mushroom. A breakfast staple all nine days.
Point at the dishes you want over rice. Cheap, fast and everywhere during the festival.
Special festival cakes and sweets sold at the stalls outside Tow Boo Kong.
Stay in George Town for the heritage temples and food, and take the ferry across for the big Butterworth nights.
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30 September to 8 October 2027, the 1st to 9th days of the 9th lunar month. The welcoming ceremony is on the eve (29 September) and the send-off to the sea is on the last night (8 October). In 2028 it falls on 18 October to 26 October 2028.
Jiu Wang Ye (Mandarin: Jiu Huang Ye, Hokkien: Kew Ong Yah, 九皇爷) is the same festival: nine days honouring the Nine Emperor Gods, the nine sons of Dou Mu, Mother of the Big Dipper. Devotees eat vegetarian, dress in white and pray for health and luck.
No. Offices, shops and schools are open as normal. Most of the action happens in the evening at the temples.
Tow Boo Kong Temple on Jalan Raja Uda in Butterworth has the biggest celebration, including firewalking and the send-off to Pantai Bersih. On the island, Tow Boo Kong on Burmah Road is the big one and needs no ferry. The oldest Nine Emperor Gods temple is on Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze in the heritage zone.
Take the Penang ferry from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Weld Quay) to Butterworth: about 10 minutes, RM 2.00 per adult each way. From the Butterworth terminal it is a short Grab ride to Jalan Raja Uda. Driving over the Penang Bridge works too, but parking near the temple fills up on the big nights.
Yes. Visitors are welcome to watch and to eat at the vegetarian stalls. Stand back from the coals and the mediums, keep quiet during prayers, and ask before photographing anyone up close.
Devotees wear white. Visitors should dress modestly in light colours, with shoulders and knees covered. Wear closed shoes you do not mind getting dusty: the temple grounds get crowded.
It is a nine-day fast for purity. Devotees avoid meat, fish, eggs, garlic and onions. Many Penang families who are not devotees join in, so vegetarian stalls pop up everywhere. Look for the yellow triangular flags.
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