Penang Road

Penang Road is the island’s version of Hollywood’s Rodeo Drive and is arguably the most important street in Penang. It runs the 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.

A mixture of nouveau-riche and quaint heritage, it is brightly lit and divided into four main sections. Thoroughly tourist friendly with wide walkways and plenty of greenery, Penang Road’s most popular section is Upper Penang Road.

The Party Street

Upper Penang Road is hemmed in on one side by The Garage nightclub and the City Bayview Hotel. It plays host to numerous à la mode upscale restaurants, karaoke joints and nightclubs including 32 Mansion and Slippery Senoritas.

The crowds here largely comprise club crawling tourists but it is also a favourite place for islanders. It is a colourful sight with teh-tarik and nasi kandar hawker stalls set up just outside busy bars and clubs famous for their pina coladas and margaritas. Within this area you can also find a number of fashion boutiques and antique shops.

Bargains Galore

Upper Penang Road also plays host to the monthly Little Penang Street Market. The bazaar takes place every last Sunday of the month and initially started as a small community project in 2006. It is one of the island’s cleanest and most well-organized roadside fairs and has quickly risen to become a major part of every local’s shopping itinerary.

A popular tourist must-visit along Penang Road, you will find dozens of stalls here selling crafts and food, but it is the cultural shows, live music performances, book readings and visual art displays that really draw in the crowds. Stall vendors are friendly, the atmosphere is stimulating and the street simply bursts with activity throughout the day.

Penang Road - Culture Club

Besides Upper Penang Road, the second most important length of Penang Road runs from the intersections of Lebuh Chulia all the way to Jalan Burma. This area has unique home-grown charm with noteworthy architecture – namely cleverly restored heritage buildings.

Lebuh Chulia was once the Cantonese heartland of the Ghee Hin triad: a secret society that played an instrumental role in the 1867 Penang Riots. This area is now home to Chowrasta Bazaar: a popular local wet market that has been in operation since the late 1800s. You can find local products and even second-hand books here: keep in mind though that you do not have to shop to enjoy this strip – simply take a walk to soak up the lively atmosphere.

Penang Road And Surrounds

The third section of Penang Road runs from the junction of Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah to Lebuh Chulia, where you will find a collection of downmarket hotels and guesthouses. The Traders by Shangri La is just next to the KOMTAR building.

The final section runs from the junction of Jalan Burma to Magazine Road: here you will find the KOMTAR Tower as well as Ong Kongsi, one of Penang’s ornate clan temples.