Found in the heart of Penang, George Town is the capital of the island. It is colorful, diverse, and with lots of fascinating tourist attractions. It is a vibrant city with towering skyscrapers and modern city lifestyle. But not only that, aside from being the hub of commerce and nightlife, it is also rich in cultural heritage and marvelous landmarks. If you want to marvel at the beauty of the area from above, head over the Penang Hill and be left in awe with the flickering city lights and the majestic landscape. While in the city, be sure to visit the Kek Lok Si and Leong Sang Tong Khoo Kongsi which are two of the most visited temples in Penang. For a more in-depth guide, here is a list of the best things to do in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
1. Take the Sri Mahamariamman Temple tour
You can not finish your George Town adventure without visiting the marvelous Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Lebuh Queen. It is a fascinating landmark found in the heart of what is considered Penang’s Little India. It is considered one of the oldest temples of Hinduism in the city that stretches back to 200 years in the past. It features sculptures of gods and goddesses, relics, and other significant objects. A lot of people visit this place to say a few prayers of wishes and thanks as well as to take lots of souvenir pictures. What’s more convenient about this place’s location is that it will only take you a 30-minute drive from the airport. Plus, it is close to excellent restaurants, souvenir shops, and other well-visited establishments.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Address: Lebuh Queen, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Opening hours: 6:30am - 12pm, 4:30pm - 9pm (daily)
2. Explore the street art trail at Lebuh Armenian
The Lebuh Armenian is an interesting street found in George Town. It is considered one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Since the beginning, it has served as a melting pot for tourists who like to explore the city’s vibrant culture. You can marvel at the beauty of intrinsic murals, street arts, and other cultural offerings in this area. On the record, it was established in the early 1800s and has since held a wide collection of different street art masterpieces. When you visit the place, be sure to bring your camera or have your Instagram poses ready as this is a place for the art lovers.
Lebuh Armenian
Address: Armenian Street, George Town, Malaysia
3. Check out the hipster scene at Hin Bus Depot
Another fascinating tourist attraction in George Town is the Hin Bus Depot. It is found in Jalan Gurdwara. This place is a stunning venue for art masterpieces. Its main goal is to provide booming artist a place to showcase their craft and let it be shared to the world and inspire other artists. It showcases interesting galleries and exhibits of various art forms as well as events that artists and even regular people can participate in. Some of its successful exhibitions are the Wet Exhibition, the Farewell Party, the Obscura Festival of Photography, 2018, and a lot more. To top it all off, admission to the Hin Bus Depot is free of charge.
Hin Bus Depot
Address: 31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Hin Bus Depot
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 8pm
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4. Have a look inside the Pinang Peranakan Mansion (from USD 34.25)
If you are into fascinating architecture and century-old landmarks as well as sightseeing tours, you might be interested in this exciting George Town Heritage tour package. You will get to immerse in George Town’s vibrant culture and diverse attractions. You will get to bag home facts and new knowledge about the city’s historical traditions. Some of the places you will get to visit during the tour are Cheah Kongsi, Hock Teik Cheng Sin, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and more. This tour package includes a convenient transport service with a driver, a professional tour guide, entrance fees, and hotel pick up and drop off for added convenience.
Georgetown Heritage Tour
Duration: 4hrsDuration
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
5. Visit the Clan Jetty at Pengkalan Weld
Another fascinating place in George Town that takes a huge part of the city’s vibrant culture and traditions are the Clan Jetties at Pengkala Weld. In total, there are six interesting Jetties in the area. There used to be seven of them until one was destroyed by fire. It symbolizes the early beginnings of Chinese natives on the island and reflects their simple way of life. From this location, you can marvel at the beauty of the jetties as well as the majestic waterscape and the skies that turn into cotton candy-like color as the night falls. If you are interested to visit the Clan Jetties, it is located near the Ferry Terminal which makes transportation accessible for tourists.
Clan Jetty at Pengkalan Weld
Address: Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Clan Jetty at Pengkalan Weld
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)
6. Strike a pose at the Made In Penang Interactive Museum
If you’re thinking of an exciting place to bring your family, especially the kids, while in George Town, you might want to take them to the fascinating Made in Penang Interactive Museum located in Pengkalan Weld. It is an interesting museum that features realistic 3D art exhibits. Some of its art installations are as huge as 33 meters (108 ft) long. You can take as many pictures as you can when you visit this place so be sure to have your camera’s battery on a full charge. Not to mention, this museum is located near the Ferry Terminal and has lots of nearby eateries and souvenir shops.
Made In Penang Interactive Museum
Address: 3, Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Made In Penang Interactive Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 6:30pm (daily)
Price: 2.39 USD onwards
7. Stroll along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Also known as Pitt Street, the Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling is one of the most bustling streets in Georgetown. In this area, you can see lots of excellent restaurants, casual cafes, retail stores, souvenir shops, and other well-visited business establishments. Pitt Street got its name in to honor the then prime minister William Pitt the Younger. Some of the interesting sights and establishments that you will get to see while in Pitt’s Street are The Boutique Residence Hotel, Silver Shine Homestay Guesthouse, the Bullock Cart Wheel sculpture, the Tok Tok Mee sculpture, the Kapitan Keling Mosque, St George’s Anglican Church, the Supreme Court building, and a lot more.
Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Address: George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
8. Try out exquisite food at Muchacha, QE II Restaurant
Posted by Muchacha, Qe2 on Thursday, 3 January 2019
If you are tired of all the sightseeing and city tours, you might want to pause for a while and refill your energy. If you agree with the idea, book a table at Muchacha, QE II Restaurant located in Pangkalan Weld. It is a lovely restaurant with vintage interior design and fine dining set up. Its romantic ambiance adds charm to the place and will leave you trying out lots of delicious dishes offered by them. They guarantee that their food is cooked with the finest ingredients and their service is top-notch. They boast of offering not just exquisite food but an elevated dining experience, in general.
Muchacha, QE II Restaurant
Address: 8A, Pangkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Muchacha, QE II Restaurant
Opening hours: 6pm - 1am (daily)
9. Enjoy local cuisine on Chulia Street
If you are done with the sights and the sounds George Town has to offer, you must now move on to the eats. What better way to maximize your adventure than trying local cuisine? The best place to do so is the Chulia Street. Chulia Street is a bustling area in Georgetown that features local shops, souvenir stores, and especially fantastic restaurants offering authentic Malaysian cuisine. Not to mention, this place is very budget-friendly when it comes to restaurants, hotels, and other establishments. Some of the restaurants that you should try while in Chulia Street are Restoran Khaleel, Restoran Ros Mutiara, Restoran Nasi Kendar Bathusa, and a lot more.
Chulia Street
Address: Road in George Town, Malaysia
Website: Chulia Street
10. Check out the replicas of Malaysian dishes at Wonderfood Museum Penang (from USD 3.79)
Georgetown has lots of fascinating landmarks including historic temples, heritage sites, and art museums. If you are thinking of a lovely place to bring your kids while in George Town, they will surely love the colors and the displays at the Wonderfood Museum Penang. This stunning museum features replicas of Malaysian dishes from small cute ones to massive ones. They will surely love playing with this non-edible food and taking pictures of them. It’s as if the concept has been taken from a page of Hansel and Gretel storybook, only that the food is Malaysian.
Penang Wonderfood Museum
11. Shop your heart out at Gurney Plaza
Thinking of a place to go one boring afternoon? If so, why don’t you pamper yourself at the Gurney Plaza and spend a day shopping and gorging on delicious food? Gurney Plaza is one of the biggest malls in George Town. It houses both local and global brands from Din Tai Fung, A- Saloon, and Aesop to M.A.C., Christian Dior, San Francisco Coffee, and a lot more. This is the place that offers all your life’s mundane desires from salons to restaurants to cinemas, and others. Turn your afternoon from lonely to merry by going to the Gurney Plaza in Gurney Drive.
Gurney Plaza
Address: 170, Gurney Dr, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Website: Gurney Plaza
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
12. Click pictures at Reclining Buddha Wat Chaiyamangalaram
Known for the Reclining Buddha, Wat Chaiyamangalaram is a fascinating Thai temple. The reclining buddha is considered one of the biggest buddha sculptures in the world. A lot of tourists can’t find the right angle in taking a picture of it as it is really big and hard to get the whole of it in pictures. The Wat Chaiyamangalaram temple was established in 1845 as a gift to the Thai people by its then ruler, Queen Victoria of Great Britain.
Reclining Buddha Wat Chaiyamangalaram
Address: 17, Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
13. Take a stroll amidst orchids and ponds at Penang Botanical Gardens
Penang is not only all buildings, architectural wonders, and temples, it also has its fair share of natural wonders. If you want to pause for a while from all the city tours and sightseeing, you might want to visit the Penang Botanical Gardens and reconnect with Nature. Boasting of gorgeous lush greeneries and lovely flora, you will surely find your peace and quiet here in this huge garden. Some of the attractions in Penang Botanical Gardens are the tropical rainforest jungle track, the Fernhouse and rockery, an Orchidarium, a lily pond, a horticulture center, and more.
Penang Botanical Gardens
Address: Kompleks Pentadbiran,Bangunan Pavilion, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Penang Botanical Gardens
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
14. Have fun with your children at The TOP Penang (from USD 13.05)
Penang is a beautiful city to explore and sightseeing and city walks are few of the favorite activities to do of tourists who visit this side of Malaysia. Maximize your vacation experience by booking this exciting The Top Komtar Penang tour package which allows you to marvel at the beauty of Penang from above. Stand on the city’s tallest building and enjoy the majestic views of the city that will just take your breath away.
The Top Penang Rainbow Skywalk Ticket
15. Take a historical tour of Fort Cornwallis
Found in Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, the Fort Cornwallis was built in the late 1700s by Captain Francis Light. It is a symbol of protection for the British people during the dark ages of history. It showcases a stable solid interior and exterior design that architectures consider a Star fort. At present, the Fort Cornwallis houses galleries and exhibits that are significant in the storytelling of life in Penang. It also has a lovely cafe on site that you should check out when you visit the historical site.
Fort Cornwallis
Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Fort Cornwallis
Opening hours: 9am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 2.39 USD onwards
16. Learn about the musical traditions at Penang House of Music
If you are done with the sights of the region, you might want to immerse in its sounds. The best way to do so is to book this excellent Penang House of Music tour package. This tour package allows you to discover and explore this fascinating museum that holds exhibits and galleries showcasing the region’s rich musical traditions and vibrant culture. A lot of tourists visited and still visits this George Town to know more about its history long before it was listed as a heritage site by UNESCO.
Penang House of Music Admission Ticket in Malaysia - Klook
Duration: 2hrsDuration
17. Buy local items at the Pulau Tikus Wet Market
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you really want to see and immerse in the culture of Penang, the best way to do so is live like a local. Go where the locals go and make friends with warm and hospitable locals. If you like the idea, visit the Pulau Tikus Wet Market in Jalan Pasar and score some excellent finds like delicious Malaysian food to groceries to artisan products, souvenir items, and a lot more. Be sure to ask the locals there about recipes and travel guides for your Penang adventure.
Pulau Tikus Wet Market
Address: 3, Jalan Pasar, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening hours: 7am - 11:30pm (daily)
18. Splash in the pools at Youth Park
Located in Persiaran Kuari, Youth Park, also called Municipal Park, is a vast piece of land found in George Town. Its open space is maximized with recreational areas from swimming pools to playgrounds to a skating rink, auditorium, and a lot more. There are also excellent hiking trails here for guests who like physical activities and reconnecting with nature. It is an ideal place to unwind from the busy city life and also a wonderful venue to enjoy a Sunday picnic with your family.
Youth Park
Address: Persiaran Kuari, Pulau Tikus, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sat - Thu: 7am - 5:30pm; Sat - Thu: 6am - 5:30pm
19. Explore the fascinating Chocolate and Coffee Museum
If like most of the people on earth, you love chocolates and coffee, you might want to visit the fascinating Chocolate and Coffee Museum in George Town. By visiting the museum, you will learn facts and techniques about how chocolates are produced and how coffee is brewed to its best quality. This museum houses exhibits and galleries that center on chocolate and coffee. It also has a souvenir shop where you can purchase some goodies from. This is an ideal attraction for kids and adults.
Chocolate and Coffee Museum
Address: 22, Leith St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Website: Chocolate and Coffee Museum
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
20. Dine with family at What The Duck Restaurant
Scouring the web for a delightful place to bring your family for some dinner? If so, you might want to check out the What The Duck Restaurant in Jalan Nagor. It is a lovely restaurant that is bright and has a cool and airy ambiance. Plus, the food in What The Duck Restaurant is mouthwatering and guaranteed made from the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Not to mention, the staff is professional and is always pleased to be of assistance.
What The Duck Restaurant
Address: 40, Jalan Nagor, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: What The Duck Restaurant
Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 12pm - 2:30pm, 6pm - 10:30pm (closed on Wed)
21. Try some interesting drinks at Seventy7
Looking for a place to celebrate a birthday with friends or a regular night out? If so, you might like to try Seventy7. It is a fantastic bar with charming interiors and excellent lighting perfect for a delightful night. It bills itself as the place to be on a weekend, boasting excellent premium drinks as well as local draft beers, and delicious eats. Not to mention, live music adds delight to the fun weekend night. Plus, if you prefer a more casual experience, you can book a table in the garden area or the veranda.
Seventy7
Address: 54, Jalan Chow Thye, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Seventy7
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 7pm onwards (closed from Mon - Thu)
22. Groove to the music at Starz Club Penang
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Are you the type of partygoer who likes to dance the night away? If so, you should start wearing your dancing shoes and head over the Starz Club Penang. It is a high energy club that features excellent DJs that will make you groove to the beat. Not to mention, the drinks are overflowing in Starz Club Penang, and the food is guaranteed delicious. Visit now and experience the nightlife in Penang and make unforgettable memories with friends or the people that you will meet there.
Starz Club Penang
Address: 130, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Starz Club Penang
Opening hours: 8pm - 3am (daily)
23. Pamper your mind and body at De Villa Spa
Posted by De Villa Spa Heritage Club on Friday, 21 June 2019
If your body is starting to take its toll on you from days of city walks and sightseeing, you might like to pause for a while and regain energy by pampering yourself at the De Villa Spa in Jalan Lim Mah Chye. It is an excellent spa with relaxing rustic interior designs, lovely pieces of furniture, and fantastic facilities that will make your spa experience is as rejuvenating as possible. Some of the services they offer are skin rejuvenation, acne treatment, hair removal, traditional Javanese massage, De Stone Massage, aromatherapy massage, and a lot more.
De Villa Spa
Address: Jalan Lim Mah Chye, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: De Villa Spa
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
24. Grab your seats and a bucket of popcorn at TGV Cinemas
Catch up on your favorite movies at the TGV Cinemas. If you are thinking of a fantastic place to spend a boring afternoon with your friends, why don’t you go to a movie group date and see the most awaited up to date movies? From Spiderman: Far from home to Avengers: Endgame, and more, you will surely get your heart racing watching them in the TGV Cinemas.
TGV Cinemas
Address: George Town, Malaysia
Website: TGV Cinemas
25. Cheer your lungs out at City Stadium, Penang
Never let your Penang adventure end without watching a live football game at the City Stadium in George Town. Bring your family or friends, and together scream in solidarity and support for your favorite team. Not to mention, make your experience more enjoyable by trying out the delicious snacks at the surrounding food stalls.
City Stadium
Address: Jalan Perak, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: City Stadium
26. Enjoy bowling with friends at Penang Bowl
Brainstorming about what activity to do on a boring weekend? Invite your friends and plan a fantastic bowling match at the Penang Bowl in Lebuh Farquhar. Settle an old score or cement your bragging rights by defeating all your friends in this exciting game. Plus, there are lots of food stalls in Penang Bowl if you are not interested in a game of bowling.
Penang Bowl
Address: 38-B, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website: Penang Bowl
Opening hours: 10am - 1pm (daily)
27. Experience a guided tour inside The Blue Mansion (from USD 6.0)
Penang is a beautiful region in Malaysia with a vibrant culture and rich heritage. One testament to that is The Blue Mansion in George Town which is a symbol of the aristocratic life of the city’s prominent families. If you love sightseeing and have a keen interest in architecture, you might enjoy this Cheong Fatt Tze George Town Penang: The Blue Mansion Guided Tour. Through this tour package, you will gain a better understanding of the grandiose life of the past resident of this blue mansion. You will surely marvel at the beauty and intricacy of this heritage site that showcases a fascinating period architecture. Plus, included in this tour package is a professional tour guide that will help you acquire knowledge from the tour.
Penang Cheong Fatt Tze The Blue Mansion Admission Ticket, Tour
Duration: 45 minutes
28. Get your eyeballs ready at the Upside Down Museum
Posted by Upside Down Museum on Tuesday, 28 March 2017
One of the many fascinating museums in Penang is the Upside Down Museum. Be sure to visit it with your family and enjoy a fun-filled day while taking a lot of pictures. It features marvelous art installations in an upside-down manner giving its guests illusions of being gravitationally pulled upwards. This museum is perfect for kids and kids-at-heart. By booking this tour package, you will not experience the hassle of long lines.
Upside Down Museum
Address: 45, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaDummy address
Website: Upside Down Museum
Opening hours: 9am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: 27 MYR or 6.20 USD
29. Admire the landscape from the observation deck at Rainbow Skywalk (from USD 16.43)
If you want to see George Town from above, this admission ticket tour package might pique your interest. Find yourself spellbound as you see the cityscape and its flickering lights from the 68th floor of the state’s tallest building. Also, you can experience other activities such as walking through the Rainbow Skywalk, trying out the virtual submarine, the mirror maze, and a lot more.
Penang: The Top Komtar Observatory Admission Ticket
30. Drop by the Colonial Penang Museum (from USD 7.0)
If you want to explore the beautiful state of Penang and are interested in sightseeing and museum visits but do not know where to start, this exciting Colonial Penang Museum admission ticket package might pique your interest. Witness antique pieces of furniture and charming vintage objects at the Colonial Penang Museum. Plus, you will get to see Nyonya decors, marble statues, valuable documents, and more.
Colonial Penang Museum Admission Ticket
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Beautiful Georgetown
Found in Penang, Georgetown is a vibrant modern city that is rich both in modern attractions as well as heritage sights. It is diverse in terms of culture and traditions. Because of this, it has become a favorite spot of tourists who are into fascinating cities. From sky-scraping buildings and shopping malls to temples and other landmarks, you will never run out of things to do in this stunning city. If you are planning a trip to Georgetown any time soon, use this list of the best things to do in the city as a guide in planning your itinerary. May you have a fantastic vacation ahead.
Tip from tour guide
George Town, a heritage site in Penang, boasts over a thousand prewar shop houses. Some traditional trades, such as Chinese medicine halls, sundry shops, and coffee shops, still occupy these buildings. As a part of their architecture and design, they incorporate elements of Feng Shui, considerations for the tropical climate, and calculations for land tax.
Learn the art of making handmade cotton mattress at a historic shop
Contributed by Tour Guide, Jenny Wan Kim Lim
At Cintra Street in Georgetown, Penang, you’ll find Chin Hock Mattress Store representing one of the few remaining old industries. Despite facing intense competition from various synthetic fiber pillows and mattresses in the market, Mr. Wong, the owner, still insists on using the most traditional natural cotton to make the products.
Handmade cotton mattress production is gradually declining, not only because people prefer newer and more innovative pillows and mattresses, but also because this industry is labor-intensive, unprofitable, and unhygienic. Despite the decline of this old industry, this historic shop is running and is worth a visit.
History
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