Georgetown Attractions

Visiting Georgetown is like visiting a world where time stands still – a world where history, nature and traditions are weaved into a rich cultural tapestry. Containing the best of Penang’s sights, sounds, smells and tastes, it wouldn’t be too much to say that Georgetown is easily Penang in a nutshell. From heritage buildings to nature parks,

Penang’s capital city has a multitude of attractions to appease the curious visitor. This historic town is best enjoyed on foot or trishaw, enabling you to take in the sights and sounds better.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

A boutique hotel that’s one of Penang’s best-known attractions, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is an ornate edifice built in the traditional Hakka – Teochew style. Located at 14 Leith Street, the structure was erected in the 1880s when Hakka merchant, Cheong Fatt Tze commissioned its construction. Read More...

Eastern & Oriental Herige Building at Penang

Eastern & Oriental Heritage Building is a large colonial-style resort that can only be described as legendary. Known as the E&O to generations of travellers, it is a true homage to the British-Raj era with classy rooms and beautiful gardens. Previous guests include some of world’s most notable glitterati. Read More...

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Situated along Pitt Street, the Kapitan Keling Mosque is Penang’s first-ever mosque built in the 19th century, which is also the largest and one of the oldest mosques in town. A monumental structure surrounded by low walls and crowned with Moghul-style copper domes, the mosque was named after the head of the Indian Muslim community back then, Cauder Maydin Merican, a prominent trader appointed by the-then British rulers as leader of the community. The word ‘Keling’ refers to South Indian immigrants back then, so the word ‘Kapitan Keling’ literally means ‘Captain of the Kelings’.

Kuan Yin Temple

Penang’s oldest temple, Kuan Yin Temple, was built in honour of the Chinese Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin), an important Buddhist deity, hence why this temple is also sometimes referred to as ‘The Goddess of Mercy Temple’. Constructed in the early 1800s by early immigrant settlers from China, the temple features a classic Chinese architectural style, with stone carvings of dragons and wavy rooftops. The temple is also dedicated to Ma Chor Poh, the patron saint of seafarers.

Old Georgetown - Historical Streets of Penang

A fascinating fusion of eastern and western influences, Penang is Malaysia’s most tourist-visited destination. The island manages to embrace modernity while retaining its colonial traditions; due to its well-preserved heritage buildings Penang’s capital, Georgetown, has been accorded a listing as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Read More...

Penang Botanic Gardens

Filled with all sorts of plants from hundreds of species, Penang Botanic Gardens showcases the wonders of nature in a sprawling 29 hectares of green land. A public park cum botanical gardens, it is as much an educational area as a recreational spot. Hiking through its jungles or jogging in its parks is a refreshingly pleasant affair. There is also an impressive waterfall within.

Penang Fort Cornwallis

Located close to the Esplanade, on the northeastern coast of Penang, the star-shaped Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia and one of the earliest structures in Penang. Not a particularly impressive edifice, these days the privately managed historical site is simply a set of ten-foot high outer walls with an enclosed park within; a stroll along the perimeters takes approximately ten minutes. Read More...

Penang Hill

With the right dose of history and culture, Penang plays host to a variety of attractions ranging from beaches and historical architecture to cultural hotspots and a smorgasbord of cuisine. Located on the northern sector of the island, Penang Hill – one of Malaysia’s oldest hill resorts – is a hillside retreat comprising Western Hill, Bukit Laksamana, Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill and Government Hill. It is not as popular as Genting Highlands or Cameron Highlands but it is one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions. Read More...

Penang Islamic Museum

Housed in a beautiful heritage building which was once the residence of Syed Al –Attas, the Penang Islamic Museum takes you through the beginnings of Islam and its development in the country throughout the years, from the early days to the present day. Featuring exhibits which are displayed according to themes in its many sections and galleries, the museum also illustrates the beauty and the philosophies of the religion.

Penang Kek Lok Si Temple

Standing on a hilltop at Air Itam, near Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. The complex is divided into three zones while the temple grounds comprise the hill entrance, souvenir, food and drinks stalls and the turtle liberation pond. The mid section of the temple houses temples, gardens, the pagoda and the four heavenly kings pavilion; meanwhile the hilltop plays host to an enormous statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin as well as more gardens and temples. Read More...

Penang Khoo Khongsi

Erected some 650 years ago, the Penang Khoo Kongsi is a part of the ‘Goh Tai Seh’ (five big clans) that formed the backbone of the Hokkien community in olden-days Penang. A kongsi (Hokkien for ‘clan-house’) is a building in which Chinese families of the same surname gather to worship their ancestors. These days the primary functions of kongsis are supportive roles as they strive to help with the educations of members’ children, settling disputes and advancing loans. Representing a family’s social and spiritual commitments between extended relations, ancestors and the outside community, the kongsi also acts as an important means of solidarity. Read More...

Penang KOMTAR

KOMTAR is located in central Georgetown, along the north-south Jalan Penang and east-west Jalan Magazine. The 65-storey high-rise and mall is one of the most prominent landmarks in Penang with a viewing deck on the 58th floor offering views of the island and across the straits to Penang’s mainland. Read More...

Penang Peranakan Mansion

The opulent lifestyle of a Peranakan (Straits Chinese) tycoon is recreated in this century-old stately mansion, offering a glimpse into the Peranakan customs and traditions. Serving as a museum of sorts for the Peranakan heritage, this mansion was once the abode of a rich Baba leader, Kapitan (Captain) Chung Keng Kwee. Amongst the items displayed are a traditional marital bed, an opium bed and opium-smoking paraphernalia, and various women’s accessories and gold jewellery. Read More...

Penang Road

Penang’s version of Hollywood’s Rodeo Drive, Penang Road is arguably the most important thoroughfare on the island. A mixture of nouveau-riche and quaint heritage, it runs the length from Lebuh Farquhar in the north, to Jalan Gurdwara in the south – near the Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR tower) – at the junction of Macalister Road. Brightly lit, Penang Road is divided into four main sections and it’s thoroughly tourist-friendly with walkways and plenty of plants. Read More...

Penang State Museum & Art Gallery

Reputedly one of the best state museums in the country, Penang Museum & Art Gallery is dedicated to Penang’s historical past, showcasing Penang’s culture and heritage throughout the years with galleries housing a fine collection of photographs, maps, documents, antiques, costumes and other historical artefacts. Located on the first floor is the Art Gallery housing the works of local artists as well paintings of old Penang. Seasonal exhibitions are also held here from time to time.

Sri Mariamman Temple

The colourful Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang. Featuring a distinctive South Indian Dravidian architectural style, the temple is filled with intricate carvings and sculptures of Hindu deities, with the main focal point being an opulent statue of Lord Subramaniam which is decorated with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. In the early morning, visitors can observe the prayer sessions that are being held.

St George’s Church

Built by convicts back in 1816, Penang’s St George’s Church is South-East Asia’s oldest Anglican church. Even through all these years, the original structure of the building hasn’t altered much, and the walls haven’t weathered much either. One of Penang’s most beautiful heritage landmarks, the most striking features of the church are the huge Grecian columns that stand outside the building. Since its conception in the 19th century, it has been holding regular services. A grand Francis Light memorial sits in front of the church, a tribute to the man who had established the island in 1786.

The Clan Jetties

Consisting of a row of wooden houses on stilts along a planked walkway built over the water, The Clan Jetties are picturesque fishing villages lined along Weld Quay. The traditional fishing settlements have been in existence since the 19th century, and are some of Penang’s remaining links to its rich and colourful past. Eight clan jetties can be found here – Chew Jetty, Koay Jetty, Lee Jetty, Lim Jetty, Peng Aun Jetty, Tan Jetty, Yeoh Jetty and Mixed Clans Jetty – with Chew Jetty being the biggest and most well-known.

The Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower

One of the most recognisable icons in Penang, The Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower was commissioned by a local millionaire, Cheah Chen Eok, to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Standing at 60 feet tall with each foot representing each year of the Queen’s 60-year reign, the clock tower leans to one side due to the impact from bombs being dropped around it during the Second World War, although it’s hardly noticeable.