Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Penang Malaysia is a world-class fascinating holiday spot popular for its sandy coasts and its plethora of exotic food which is why locals call it the food capital of Malaysia. It’s listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site during 201, as this beautiful paradise has a rich culture and natural scenery that attracts people. There are a lot of things you can do while visiting the place like exploring the beautiful streets of Penang where most art murals are, or strolling around the famous beach of Penang which is Tanjung Bungah. You can even visit the nooks and crannies of Georgetown and the Tropical Spice Garden where you’ll get to experience the best of Malaysian culture. In case you’re going to visit Malaysia, listed below are the best things to do alone in Penang.
1. Wander around the famous Street of Harmony (from USD 128.0)
One of the best things that you’ll find during your visit to Penang is the diversity of its culture. You’ll see it when taking a stroll around the famous Street of Harmony in Georgetown, where some of the beautiful attractions are, like the Hindi and Taoist Temple, an old church retaining its beauty, and colorful houses lining the street. If you’re a wanderer, this beautiful place is something you won’t mind getting lost in; it’s a place where you’ll find home.
Tip from tour guide
Street of Harmony, George Town. Where else can you find a street lined with so many places of worship of different faith, all within a perimeter of 700m. Get a local tourist guide to have a walking tour begins from St. George's Church, oldest in South-East Asia, then head to Taoist-Buddhist Goddess of Mercy Temple which survived the last two word wars. Across the street is Little India with its colorful Sri Mahamariaman Temple decorated with statues of Hindu Gods. Further down is Khoo Kongsi, a Chinese ancestral clan house cum museum. Then view the nearby Kapitan Keling Mosque, the first Arab-Indian Muslim mosque built in Penang.
Private Tour: Full Day Penang Heritage Tour
Duration: 8 hours
2. Admire the street murals of Penang
If you’re an artist or just a plain art enthusiast, you’ll surely love strolling around the beautiful streets of Penang where you’ll see a lot of art murals in every nook and crannies of the streets. Every corner of the street is an Instagram-worthy spot perfect for travelers who love posting aesthetic pictures. You can see the playfulness and creativity of the artists who made the murals with just one peek. Strolling just becomes more exciting.
Street murals of Penang
Address:316, Beach Street Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Street murals of Penang
Opening hours: 24/7
Tip from tour guide
This charming mural can be considered a hidden treasure, tucked away in a small fishing village in Balik Pulau, Penang. The mural, depicting elderly grandparents and children fishing, vividly captures the carefree and joyful atmosphere of life in the fishing village. It is painted on the wall of an old coffee shop located in the village. The shop is owned by my friend, who serves what I believe is the best toast and richest coffee I've ever tasted. Coming here is like taking a breath of fresh air from one's busy life. After enjoying food and drinks, one can stroll in the nearby fishing village, where life feels infinitely beautiful. Would you like to follow me to this fishing village?
3. Indulge in Malaysian street food
Little Penang Street Market is one of the many places you shouldn’t miss when visiting Malaysia. It houses the best of local products, souvenirs, and of course food. Enjoy indulging some of Malaysian’s street food on the lined stalls of food here at Penang Market for an affordable price. Your vacation in Malaysia won’t be complete without visiting this place and experiencing the Malaysian culture like a true local.
Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls
Address: Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Opening hours: 6pm - 12am (daily)
Penang Street Food Tour, Malaysia - Klook
Duration: 3hrs30 Min Duration
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4. Explore Georgetown on a trishaw (from USD 21.05)
If you’re someone who’s not fond of traveling by foot, you can always choose to ride on a trishaw to see all the pleasant views of Georgetown. Riding a trishaw will make you feel like you’re a local and a true townie. It is ideal to see Georgetown during the day where you’ll still be able to witness the grandeur of the whole place, but you can also choose to see them at night where there is music, and dance.
Heritage Trishaw Ride in Penang Philippines
Duration: 3hrsDuration
Penang Tour Guide
Ang Chin Boon
Hello...I am ANG. Licenced Tourist Guide by Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. I was born and raised in George Town, Penang. I just love Guiding !I have been actively doing guiding all these years. Drive my guests to interesting places in Penang Island, Sharing my knowledges & experiences of George Town. I wish their trip becomes story worth sharing.Will you be one of my esteemed guests ? Read more
Tours by Ang
Penang Tour Guide
Vincent Fong
I am a licensed tourist guide of Malaysia specialising in the English language, though I am also able to communicate in the Chinese dialects of Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese, Hokkien and my country's national language of Malay. I do all tours inbound of Penang island such as walking tours, food tours, drive tours, historical tours, hill & temples, etc. I am a tourist guide with passion an... Read more
Tours by Vincent
Penang Tour Guide
Hon Seng Phuah
Hello. I am Hon Seng Phuah from Penang. I am a freelance tourist guide since 2013. My tour service includes Penang around island and George Town heritage walking tours. You may experience the Penang multi-culture and best foods like Penang assam laksa, nyonya cuisine, nasi kandar and to name a few, traditional business activities, colonial buildings, modern living city and last least the greene... Read more
Tours by Hon seng
Penang Tour Guide
Jenny Wan Kim Lim
Hi, I'm Jenny! I love showing people around Taiwan and Malaysia. I grew up in Penang and spend a lot of time in Tainan too. For the past few years, I've been a licensed tour guide for these 2 countries , sharing my passion for exploring. Being a guide isn't just a job to me, it's what I love doing. I enjoy finding hidden spots, introducing you to tasty local food, and making sure you have amazi... Read more
Tours by Jenny wan kim
Penang Tour Guide
Beth Chong
My interest in travel started from childhood and when I was a teenager, I went for my first solo backpacking trip to Paris and London. It resulted in my working in the Tourism Industry and eventually becoming a nationally licensed Tourist Guide of Malaysia. I managed to go to almost to every corner of my country and now, have become a trainer of Tourist Guides imparting knowledge and experience... Read more
5. Spend a night filled with lights at Kek Lok Si Temple (from USD 48.85)
Standing tall on the Air Itam hilltop near Penang Hill is the famous Kek Lok Si known as the largest Buddhist Temple in Malaysia. It has three zones wherein the temple grounds cover the hill entrance, food stalls, and the beautiful turtle liberation pond wherein you’ll experience the best of Malaysian culture. It’s a good idea to visit this place during the night when the streets are livelier, and the whole place shines because of the lights surrounding the temple.
Penang Hill and Temple Sightseeing Philippines
Duration: 4hrsDuration
6. Tour the Wat Chayamangkalaram temple
The Reclining Buddha Temple or the Sleeping Buddha is a Thai Temple famous for its gold-plated Buddha which is known as the largest Buddha in history. It’s an old temple whose land is given by Queen Victoria which enables locals and tourists alike to see the beauty of this. The place is fascinating and beautiful especially to visitors who will be seeing this for the first time. if you’re ever around the area, the Reclining Buddha Temple is something you must see.
Wat Chaiyamangalaram
Address: 17, Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tip from tour guide
Wat Chaiya Mangalaram, Penang (The Reclining Buddha temple)A Siamese (Thai) temple founded in 1845, which is an oasis of the Siamese culture and way of life here in Penang, Malaysia. Festivals and cultural practices are observed throughout the year, such as Songkran, Loy Kratong, and Khatina to name a few. Tasty Thai Coconut ice cream can be enjoyed here too!
It was in 1948 when the temple officially came to be known as Wat Chaiya Mangalaram.
Niches for the ashes of the departed are found beneath and near the serene 33-m-long Reclining Buddha statue which ensures a constant stream of visitors not only for sightseeing but for very personal reasons, too. Initially, when the statue was crafted in 1958, it was in the open, but later a building was constructed to keep it from the effects of the elements.
A visit to this temple means removing your footwear and hats when entering. However, you are permitted to take as many photographs as you like and participate in its daily rituals.
Another must-visit cultural landmark in Penang.
7. For thrill-seekers who seek adventure
If you’re a thrill-seeker and one who lives for adventure, the Penang Snake Temple is something that will surely get your blood pumping. It’s a Chinese Temple in Malaysia where locals pray for enlightenment and guidance. It is said that the place brings peace and calmness to people who are undergoing a lot of stress. On top of that, it’s one of the places wherein you can be eye to eye with venomous snakes and still come out alive to tell the dangerous tale.
Penang Snake Temple
Address: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Penang Snake Temple
Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 5 RMB (0.74 USD)
8. Pump up your adrenaline at Penang Ghost Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A must-experience destination in Georgetown Penang, this Ghost Museum is something you shouldn’t miss when in Malaysia. It’s like a horror house ideal for visitors who love scary things. A lot of tourists who visited the place compliments the way the whole place is being set up and how it’s a truly terrifying experience. If you’re after a little adventure, then don’t forget to check this one out.
Ghost Museum
Address: 57, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Ghost Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
9. Be an artist and experience the Malaysian culture (from USD 30.79)
One of the loveliest things to do when visiting Penang is to learn how to make Malaysian traditional handicrafts including antique repairing, bamboo weaving, leaf origami, mask carving and more. Malaysia is known for its rich culture that’s being showcased through its arts and handicrafts. It is something you’ll witness in Penang. Learning a craft or taking away from the place is the most fulfilling thing especially if you’re someone who’s traveling solo and is looking for something productive to do while in the place.
Penang Art & Culture Half Day Tour - Klook
Duration: 6hrsDuration
10. Experience a story you won't forget (from USD 61.0)
Known as Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil, Penang Hilltop Waterfall Temple is one of the oldest temples here in Penang. It’s one of the attractions tourists love visiting as it tells a lot about the myths and legends of Malaysia. It’s also known that the place is as old as the founding of Georgetown, but still, the place is able to retain its beauty and glory. In case you’re going to visit Penang, don’t forget to check this one out.
Penang Spiritual Experience - Private Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Soul searching and a leap of faith
Penang, Malaysia, is one of the best places you can go to whether you’re after a good adventure or soul search, it’s something you should see. If ever you decide to take a leap of faith and jump on the next plane towards Malaysia, listed above are the best things to do for lone travelers like you.
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