Air Itam is a picturesque village renowned for its iconic tourist attractions: the Kek Lok Si temple and Penang Hill. Nestled within a narrow valley floor and surrounded by hills on three sides, the village has retained its old-world charm, seemingly frozen in time. There has been little to no recent development in the area, as available land for new projects is scarce, and long-time residents are not inclined to release their small plots for redevelopment.

However, it's worth noting that this tranquil setting was disrupted when an abandoned vegetable farm in Thean Teik Estate was transformed into a new township called Farlim. Fortunately, this influence from Farlim has not altered the traditional way of life for the villagers of Air Itam. Consequently, Air Itam continues to exude a mystic ambiance, preserving its historical charm.

Beyond its well-known attractions, Air Itam was once acclaimed for having the second-largest morning market in Peninsula Malaysia, although there's no official record of this claim. Nevertheless, it does boast the largest market place in the area. On Sunday mornings, residents from Georgetown still flock to Air Itam to take advantage of the fresh produce and excellent value for their money.

Another notable feature of Air Itam is the presence of a multitude of small places of worship, including traditional relics and recently established prayer sites. While I initially endeavored to document and compile information about a couple of these places, I eventually abandoned the pursuit as the topics proved too narrow and specialized to garner significant attention. Instead, I chose to create a general photo album showcasing the essence of Air Itam. Through my collection, I have been able to revisit the history and the stories behind each photograph, making it a somewhat personal journey that I am more than happy to share. You can explore this album by clicking on the following link.