Rich is history and sights, Penang offers a large variety of places
to visit, from cultural temples to historic buildings.
The city of Georgetown is Penang's capital city and the place to
go to in search of historical sights and shopping adventures. Many cultural temples line the streets while certain areas are
famous for their sale of antiques, artefacts, electronic goods,
souvenirs and other commodities.
The city area is well-connected through a link of roads, though
some are one-way and narrow. Busy and fast-paced, Georgetown is
a city that never sleeps, just like Kuala
Lumpur. (Read More ...)
This northern portion of this historical road is now a brand new
entertainment circle, akin to Bukit
Bintang in Kuala
Lumpur. Upmarket restaurants, karaoke joints, bars, discotheques, pubs,
and vogue boutique shops have sprouted over the precinct, offering
visitors a wild night out in Penang.
Most are housed in heritage buildings restored to provide a funky
edge to Penang's entertainment scene. (Read
more...)
The Gurney Drive is a fantastic
place to catch a view of the sunset - and eat at hawkers stalls. Most of Penang's glorious food can be ordered from the hawker stalls
in the area, from Assam Laksa to Popiah and Char Kuay Teow to Hokkien
Mee.
Many families also come here to picnic on weekends and during the
night, a bazaar selling all types of goods comes alive in Gurney Drive. (Read More ...)
The house was built and named after a Hakka migrant in 1890. He
was born a penniless person but eventually became the most powerful
overseas Chinese merchant of his time in Nanyang. Moving to Penang,
he continued to build his empire of shipping, opium and mining in
Southeast Asia.
The house is a magnificent architectural marvel with distinct European
styling and stained-glass windows. Today, the house is open for
visitors to learn more about Cheong's history through antiques and
paraphernalia displayed in the building. Stay in Cheong
Fatt Tze Mansion. (Read More ...)
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. |