Places to Visit in Penang

City Hall

The City Hall located along the Esplanade is a fine building of Victorian architecture built in 1903; a reminder of the colonial era in Penang.

The City Hall faces a historic field - Padang Kota which is a venue for festivals and other large-scale events.

Today, the Hall is still used for period meetings among the Penang Municipal Council Chamber.

Clock Tower

The Clock Tower is a colonial reminder from the era of the British Empire in Penang.

Built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, the Clock Tower was a gift to the British authorities from a local millionaire, Cheah Chen Eok. Moorish stylings dominate the structure and from afar, it resembles the minaret of a mosque.

Penang State Musuem

The Penang Museum was built in 1965 and houses a collection of priceless artefacts and state treasures. Eight of the ten original oil paintings by the famous artist Captain Robert Smith are found here.

Other items on display include porcelain, furniture, jewellery and costumes from past historical eras. There are also maps, charts and memorabilia used by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Fort Cornwallis

Cornwallis was an ancient fort built by Francis Light, the founder of Penang, on the spot where he landed in 1786.

It was originally built as a wooden stockade by convicts, receiving concrete upgrades through time. Today, the fort has been converted into an open-air park complete with amphitheatre, a history gallery, cafes, and souvenir shops.

There are also a few cannons sitting around, the most famous being Seri Rambai, reputedly having mystical powers.

Penang War Musuem

The War Museum situated on Batu Maung Hill traces the history of World War II in Malaysia. Located on a sprawling 20-acre piece of land, visitors will be taken on a journey through a soldier's perspective as he narrates the dangers and challenges of war.

There are canons, armaments, survival kits used by soldiers on display as well as underground installations such as pillboxes, tunnels and ventilations shafts.

Visitors will be enlightened by the many war relics exhibited and hopefully, come out with a better understanding of the nature of global conflict.

Hainanese Mariners' Lodge/ Penang Heritage Trust

The building was formerly used by itinerant Hainanese mariners for accommodation but was converted in 1998 to set up the Penang Heritage Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving Penang's unique Chinese culture.

The centre offers visitors information on Penang's heritage sites, organises projects, tours and provides accommodation.

Nearby are some Chinese workshops that include a traditional carpenter, a goldsmith's guild and a Cantonese association, all open for visits.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

The largest and oldest mosque in Penang was built in 1801 and further redesigned in 1910 by a German architect - Henry Alfred Neubronner, who gave the mosque its British Raj Moghul revival appearance and an elegant minaret.

It is named after an Indian Muslim merchant - the 'Kapitan Keling' (headman) Caudeer Mohudeen.

Penang Toy Museum

The Toy Museum is Penang's latest attraction with over 100,000 toys, dolls, models and other collectibles.

Started by an avid collector of toys, the museum is also said to be the largest of its kind in Asia with many different chambers showcasing toys from different genres such as anime, Hong Kong movie stars, horror, science fiction and fantasy.

Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base

A simple shop lot became the base from 1909 - 1911 for the revolutionary Chinese leader Dr Sun Yat's efforts to modernise China and turn it into a republic.
Penang supported Dr Sun's efforts and raised funds for the uprising in China during that historical period.

The shop lot is open for visitors wishing to learn more about the historical leader and his activities in Penang.

Mahamariamman Temple

This is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang dating all the way back to 1833 and is adorned with many sculptures.

Nearby is Little Indian, a collection of shopping areas that brim with Indian culture and noise.

Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si is a finely-crafted Buddhist temple, located on a hill in Ayer Hitam.

Inside, visitors can stroll in the gardens, visit a turtle pond and admire shrines and other sculptures of Buddhist origin.
Visitors should also try the delicious Asam Laksa dishes which are sold in stalls near the temple.

Wat Chayamangkalaram

Yet another Buddhist temple, the Wat houses a reclining Buddha statue that is the third largest of its kind in the world - 33 meters in length.

On the temple grounds, there are many Buddhist sculptures as well. The temple was built by a Thai monk in 1845, who had a penchant for Penang's Asam Laksa.

St George's Church

Saint George Church is the oldest Anglican Church in Malaysia which still holds regular services every Sunday.

Built in 1818 by convicts, the church has a memorial dedicated to Francis Light sitting in front.

Millionaires' Row

There is a popular saying among the Straits Chinese - immigrant Chinese families cannot keep their wealth any longer than three generations; the first will earn it, the second will prosper it, and the third will waste it away. That was the subject of a recent local movie in Malaysia entitled 'Third Generation'.

How the saying ties in with the Millionaires row of houses is left for you to ponder as you admire the street of mansions, now owned by the descendants of millionaires. Each of the five mansions on the street was built by wealthy businessmen, including the Honda dealer Loh Boon Siew and former shipping magnate Lim Mah Chye.

P.Ramlee's House

The Malay actor P. Ramlee was the most famous actor of his time in Malaysia. This was his residence during his career in the 1930-40s.

Inside, visitors can view his memorabilia and other articles related to his acting and biography. All furnishings have been carefully preserved to maintain the house as it originally was when it was used by P. Ramlee.