Penang is the most important city in northern Malaysia that attracts so many visitors from all over the world. For Indian tourists, Penang is of special relevane due to the cheap flights (accessibility) from India, the rich Indian heritage that shaped the culture of the region (tamil history) and the abundance of things to do and places to see in Penang.
This Sightseeing in Penang, Malaysia thread is specifically to share information, locations and ideas around what to see, where to go, what to do in Penang by both travellers who have recently visited the city and those who are planning to make a future visit.
To kickstart this thread, here is a list of a few popular places in Penang, Malaysia that are worth visiting:
Heritage Sites:
- George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site: Explore the colonial architecture, clan jetties, and street art.
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion: A stunning blue indigo mansion showcasing Chinese architecture.
- Fort Cornwallis: The largest standing fort in Malaysia that was builft by the British Colonialists and never used in battle.
- Kek Lok Si Temple: A magnificent Buddhist temple complex with a towering pagoda outside the city centre.
- Penang Hill: Take a funicular (cable car) railway up to enjoy panoramic views of the island - best experienced at sunset.
- There are many colonial era churches, traditional Malay mosques with moorish architecture scattered around the central area of GeorgeTown.
Nature & Outdoors:
- Penang National Park: Hike through the rainforest, relax on pristine beaches, and spot diverse wildlife. There are some beautiful canopy walkways to enjoy here too.
- Tropical Spice Garden: Discover a wide variety of exotic spices and herbs.
- Escape Theme Park: Enjoy thrilling rides and water activities (especially good for families travelling with kids).
- Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm: Explore a butterfly sanctuary and learn about insects.
Culinary Delights:
- ChinaTown Street Food Stalls: Sample a variety of local delicacies at bustling hawker centers and night markets in the Chinatown area within Georgetown. Best visited after 6 pm for an authentic experience.
- Have a traditional leaf meal at one of the many Tamil restaurants (unique Indian heritage fused with Malay culture)
- Gurney Drive: A popular seafront promenade lined with restaurants and food stalls.
More to see:
- Clan Jetties: Discover unique Chinese settlements built on stilts over the water and enjoy a sunset (like we did) sitting on the wooden pier at the edge of the jetty.
- Street Art: Walk around, looking for vibrant murals and installations scattered throughout George Town - specifically in and around Armenian Street.
- Penang Peranakan Mansion: Step back in time and explore the rich heritage of the Peranakan community.
Share your latest experiences in exploring these sites and/or other new points of interest in Penang as responses/comments on this thread. This will be very helpful to fellow travellers and members of this travel community who are planning a trip to Malaysia.
