Special thanks to TeddyVille Museum Penang for extending this attraction invitation.
TeddyVille Museum Penang is a tourist attraction inside DoubleTree Resort Penang. The museum was opened in 2017, which predates the hotel itself.
Covering over 9,000 square feet, TeddyVille Museum has the largest collection of teddy bears in Malaysia. Its prized collection includes vintage pieces that date back as early as the early 20th century.
The first section of the museum showcases the evolution of teddy bears since the first one in 1902. Throughout the years, history has seen well known teddy bears like Paddington Bear, Yogi Bear and Winnie-the-Pooh.
TeddyVille Museum has everything you ever need to know about teddy bears. Each exhibit is accompanied by a detailed description. For instance, Teddy Ruxpin which debuted in 1985 is the world’s first talking toy. The teddy bear’s mouth moves in sync with its voice, adding a new level of realism.
The subsequent exhibits depict the rich history and culture of Penang – using teddy bears in various costumes and settings. For example, this scene shows the founding of Prince of Wales Island (Penang Island) in 1786 by Captain Francis Light (1740-1794).
Malay villages, known as “kampung”, are known for communal friendliness among villagers. Traditional Malay houses are made of wood. Many of them are built on stilts as a protection against wild animals and floods.
The first wave of Chinese immigrants arrived Southeast Asia in the 15th century. Having assimilated with the local community, the Peranakan people has developed a distinct culture, costumes and cuisine from the general Chinese population today.
Indians represent the third largest ethnic community in Penang. A vast majority of them embrace Hinduism, of which Thaipusam is a major festival. In Penang, the main celebration is held at Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple near Penang Botanic Gardens. The grand procession is a sight to behold!
The northeastern district of George Town is known for immemorial shophouses and narrow, winding alleys. This section of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2008.
Familiar sights in the historical core of George Town include trishaws, bread peddlers on bicycles, and “mamak” (Indian-Muslim) stalls serving teh tarik (pulled tea). It is still possible to find an Indian barber who gives a nice neck massage after a haircut.
Toh Soon Cafe (多春茶座) is a long-time breakfast spot in George Town. Located at a small alley off Campbell Street (Lebuh Campbell), the place is very popular among locals. The shop is renowned for using a charcoal oven to toast bread.
Gurney Drive Hawker Center (Pusat Penjaja Anjung Gurney) is a popular nighttime eatery. You can find almost any Penang street food here. Popular ones are asam laksa, char koay teow, pasembur, satay, lok lok, ikan bakar, sotong kangkung and more.
Siam Road Char Koay Teow is one of the better known stalls that sell char koay teow (炒粿条). The stall is operated by an elderly man who has been cooking at this spot for several decades. He recently moved to a proper shop several doors away.
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul is the most famous stall that sells this dessert. The stall at Lebuh Keng Kwee opens to a long line of customers every day.
Durian is considered the king of fruits in Southeast Asia. When durians are in season, people from all around the country flock to Penang to indulge in the fruit. Famous cultivars include Musang King (猫山王), Red Prawn (红虾), Hor Lor (葫芦) and D24. Durian is a very polarizing fruit: some people love durians more than anything in the world; others will not touch durians with a ten-foot pole!
The art of making batik is an age-old heritage in this country. The process begins by etching wax on a piece of cloth. When soaked in dyes, wax-covered sections of cloth are not colored. Wax is removed using hot water, and the process is repeated to create more intricate patterns. Batik clothing is considered formal attire in Malaysia.
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) is the highest point on Penang Island. The summit can be easily reached by funicular railway. Besides the cool air, Penang Hill gives a panoramic view of the entire island. Famous attractions on Penang Hill include The Habitat, Owl Museum, Little Village, Monkey Cup Garden, Love Lock and David Brown’s.
Kek Lok Si (极乐寺) is another prominent landmark in Penang. The majestic pagoda combines Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural elements. The Buddhist temple also features a 30-meter bronze statue of Guanyin (观音), the Goddess of Mercy, in a pavilion.
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival is held at Teluk Bahang Dam every December. The dragon boat race attracts many teams across Malaysia as well as from neighboring countries. Rigged with decorative dragon heads and tails, the long boats are usually paddled by 20 people.
Penang Bridge International Marathon is one of the most iconic marathon events in Malaysia. The full marathon covers the entire length of the bridge. The current record of 2:19:49 was set in 2014.
TeddyVille Museum offers plenty of photo opportunities with life-size teddy bears. There are teddy bear representations of distinguished Penangites, namely badminton legend Lee Chong Wei, squash superstar Nicol David, the late entertainer P. Ramlee (1929-1973) and renowned shoe designer Jimmy Choo.
Towards the end of the tour, there is an interesting spot which uses optical illusion to make people look much smaller than normal. Instant photos are available for purchase. Note that TeddyVille Museum does not allow video recording.
Finally, the Beary Good Shop sells souvenirs like T-shirts, handbags, keychains and refrigerator magnets. Visitors can also purchase collectible plush toys from Steiff. Steiff’s teddy bears are known for their exceptionally high quality. Made entirely by hand in Germany, no two Steiff bears are identical!
Most people would spend an hour or two inside TeddyVille Museum. The staff can provide guided tours and assist in taking photographs. But if you are fascinated with teddy bears, you are welcome to explore the museum at your own pace.
The admission price for TeddyVille Museum is RM36.00 for adults and RM29.00 for students. Children below the age of 12 enjoy special rate of RM25.00. In-house guests of DoubleTree Resort are also given discounted prices.
Name: TeddyVille Museum Penang
Address: 56, Jalan Low Yat, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-890-5345
Business hours: 9:00am-6:00pm
Website: http://teddyvillemuseum.com
Coordinates: 5.47757 N, 100.26913 E
Directions: DoubleTree Resort By Hilton Penang is located halfway between Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi. The hotel is on the left when driving from the former. TeddyVille Museum is located at the same floor as the hotel lobby. Parking costs RM5.00 per entry.
