Former British naval observatory given new lease of life

GEORGE TOWN: A former British naval observatory post at Tanjong Tokong here has now become a tourist attraction following a beautification project.
The watchtower has been outlined with LED lights which are switched on at night attracting many visitors.

A nearby resident, Tang Chye Seng, 85, said the post has been there for as long as he can remember.
He said it was first used by the British in preparing to face seaward threats from the advancing Japanese army during World War II.
"Troops would go up to the upper floor (of the three-storey building) to look out for enemies and to launch attacks after spotting enemies at sea.
"The Japanese then used it for their own military purposes when they took over," he said when met.
The beautification and landscaping project was reportedly undertaken and sponsored by MBI Group in August 2016.
Part of the project involves the refurbishment of the nearby 218-year-old Thai Pak Koong Temple there where 500 lanterns have been installed.
Also put in place are LED rope lights hanging from trees which light the night up in different colours of greens and blues.
A garden of 3,000 electronic tulips glowing in various colours complete the other-worldly scene.
The lighted hillock in the evening has been compared to Avatar, a movie by James Cameron, and the place is now popularly known as the Penang Avatar Secret Garden.
Scores of people are attracted to the scene to take pictures in the evening after all the lights are switched on at 8pm until midnight.
Yak See, 56, a resident there, said visitors flocked to the place after pictures of the garden went viral on social media.
He said MBI Group had carried out the beautification work which he praised for helping put the state on the toursim map.
"Everything is booming here," the temple committee member said referring to several cottage industries, and a seafood restaurant, operating near there.
When met, Sharon Teng, 34, from Kuala Lumpur, said she was visiting the place after learning about it from her family.
"I came to visit my family in Air Itam and so am taking this chance to see for myself what the fuss is about," she added.