Georgetown, established in 1786 by Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company, quickly became a thriving trading city. Its prominent position drew traders worldwide, resulting in a diverse tapestry of cultures and traditions. Georgetown evolved over the years into a dynamic fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. The city, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, is a living museum of colonial architecture, temples as well as mosques, with each structure telling a story about its illustrious history. Georgetown is now not merely a memorial to its rich past, but also a thriving, cosmopolitan neighbourhood. To fully immerse oneself in its charm, here are eight must-see destinations highlighting the city's distinct attractiveness with its historical grandeur.
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a captivating museum dedicated to Penang's Peranakan heritage, also known as Baba Nyonya or the Straits Chinese, who predominantly lived in the Straits Settlements during the 19th century. The museum houses thousands of exquisite Peranakan antiques and collectables within a magnificent courtyard mansion. This mansion blends Peranakan with British colonial architecture, featuring intricately carved wooden panels, English floor tiles, Glasgow marble pillars, Scottish ironworks plus a mix of Chinese as well as European furnishings. Built in the late 1890s on the site of the Ghee Hin secret society headquarters, it was originally the home of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee, the leader of the Hai San secret society. Visitors can explore the Chung Keng Kwee Ancestral Temple, the Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum and the Embroidery Gallery, all of which showcase a stunning collection of traditional Peranakan clothing, accessories and elaborate beadwork. For a unique experience, visitors can also sample Peranakan cuisine by renting traditional Nyonya attire at Nyonya Palazzo.
Convenient access is available via e-hailing services like Grab, car rental apps like Socar and the Rapid Penang public bus service.
To get to Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus service from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to Station 3 (towards Little India) and a five-minute walk to Pinang Peranakan Mansion.
Driving: A 12-minute drive and around 2.3 kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available.
Next, we move on to The Blue Mansion, erected in 1904, which was the former private residence as well as commercial headquarters of the famed businessman Cheong Fatt Tze, displaying his combined interests in Western workmanship and Chinese officialdom.
Today, it is a quaint boutique hotel, with 18 meticulously renovated suites embellished with Cheong family artefacts. The mansion is known for its indigo-blue front, which reflects its colonial origins. It also features Gothic louvred windows, Chinese porcelain work, Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles, Glasgow cast ironworks and Art Nouveau stained glass windows. Visitors can learn about its history by taking self-guided audio tours or daily guided excursions, which include visits to the reception hall, famous courtyard and even museum installations. In addition, Indigo Restaurant at the Blue Mansion or Mangga at the Blue Mansion serves Eastern and Western fusion cuisine. The mansion has also received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation and was used as a filming set for the Hollywood movie Crazy Rich Asians.
Accessible via e-hailing services, car rentals or Rapid Penang public buses, with few parking options. It is conveniently located in Georgetown and only a five-minute walk from Chinatown.
To get to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion)
Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus service from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to Station 7 (towards Lebuh Muntri) and a four-minute walk to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion).
Driving: A six-minute drive and about 1.6 kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available on the roadside.
Finally, Hin Bus Depot, a thriving creative community hub in George Town, Penang, houses a diverse range of merchants, including food and beverage outlets, art and craft studios, galleries plus various event spaces. Originally a functional bus station built in 1947 by Hin Company Ltd., it ceased operations in the 2000s until it was revitalised by local artists in January 2014 as part of Ernest Zacharevic's ‘Art is Rubbish is Art’ exhibition.
This rebuilt art-deco edifice currently displays progressive artists with their works through organised art and culture programs such as music concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, dance performances and book launches. The Hin Market, which takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00AM to 5:00PM, demonstrates the community's support for local artisans.
A must-visit cultural centre, Hin Bus Depot is a five-minute walk from the KOMTAR Bus Terminal and can be reached via e-hailing services, car rentals and many Rapid Penang buses, with parking available near GAMA Supermarket, Penang Times Square and Hotel NEO+.
Public bus: Take the bus 11, 102, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 301, 304, or 502 (Rapid Penang) from Georgetown City Center. Disembark at the GAMA Supermarket bus stop and take a four-minute walk to Hin Bus Depot.
Driving: A four-minute drive and about 950 metres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available on the roadside. Please be informed that street parking is subject to Penang Island City Council (MBPP) parking restrictions.
Continuing our journey, the Clan Jetties of George Town offers a glimpse into the city's maritime heritage. Built on stilts overlooking the sea, these jetties were established in the 1880s by early stevedores and fisherfolk. These jetties, integral to the cultural fabric of George Town, were pivotal as entry points for Chinese immigrants during the city's heyday as a bustling entrepot. Each jetty was constructed by distinct Chinese clans seeking community with security in a foreign land, evolving from basic dwellings into vibrant communal settlements. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the Clan Jetties today showcases a glimpse into local Chinese clan life, where daily rituals such as food preparation and temple prayers unfold against a backdrop of historical significance. While four jetties have been sadly lost over time, guests still have the opportunity to visit the six remaining jetties: Ong, Lim, Tan, Lee, Yeoh and Mixed Clan, which are especially tranquil in the morning.
Accessible via e-hailing services, car rentals, or Rapid Penang buses, with limited roadside parking available, the Clan Jetties offers an enriching cultural journey within walking distance from the heart of George Town.
To get to Clan Jetties
Public bus: Take the bus 307 and 401E (Rapid Penang) from Georgetown City Centre.
Driving: An 11-minute drive and about 1.8 kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available on the roadside.
Another significant landmark is Fort Cornwallis and its characteristic star-shaped form, which is a place of importance marking where Captain Francis Light and his crew from the British East India Company made a landing in Penang on August 11, 1786. This historic occasion represented the assertion of British rule over Penang Island, which was wrested from the Sultan of Kedah, a massive event that has now spanned 238 years in history. The fort, named for Charles Marquis Cornwallis, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Malaysia's largest standing fort with notable features including the Sir Francis Light monument, an 1814 gunpowder room and the renowned Seri Rambai Cannon, Malaysia's largest bronze cannon. Other notable landmarks are the Penang Harbour Flagstaff, which communicates with arriving ships and the stately Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, which was built in 1897 by local magnate Cheah Chen Eok to honour Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee which finished in 1902.
Renovations may impact the fort's accessibility. Fort Cornwallis, which is accessible via e-hailing services, car rentals or Rapid Penang buses, has limited parking nearby and offers guided tours on weekends. It also features amenities such as Kota Dine & Coffee, a Michelin Selected 2023 Halal Restaurant as well as event spaces for garden weddings amidst its historic ambience.
To get to Fort Cornwallis
Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus service from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to Station 5 (towards Bank Negara) and a four-minute walk to Fort Cornwallis.
Driving: A nine-minute drive and about three kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available on the roadside.
In the heart of Georgetown is where you will find Little India, pulsing with the vibrant legacy of Indian culture brought to the island during the 19th century under British colonial rule. This ethnic enclave flourishes with colourful streets lined with traditional shops, aromatic eateries as well as bustling stalls offering an array of Indian goods, jewellery, spices and clothing. Amidst the lively atmosphere, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Indian festivals such as Deepavali, Thaipusam and Navaratri, which are celebrated with fervour throughout the year.
A centrepiece of this cultural haven is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang's oldest Hindu temple, offering a spiritual anchor amidst the bustling streets.
Accessible via e-hailing services, car rentals or Rapid Penang buses and with limited parking available. Little India is also conveniently located near the iconic Kapitan Keling Mosque alongside the bustling Chowrasta Market, making it a must-visit destination for cultural enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike.
To get to Little India
Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus service from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to Station 3 (towards Little India).
Driving: An 11-minute drive and about 1.8 kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available on the roadside.
Just a short distance from Little India is the Kapitan Keling Mosque, a historic edifice built in 1801 by Indian Muslim traders in Georgetown, Penang, which stands majestically at the intersection of Buckingham Street and Pitt Street. Founded by Cauder Mohuddeen Merican, also known as Kapitan Kling, this mosque serves as the heart of the Tamil Muslim community. The term ‘Keling’ once referred respectfully to people of Indian origin.
As one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia, it captivates visitors with its architectural grandeur, blending Islamic, Mughal and Moorish styles. The mosque is visitor-friendly, with appropriate attire provided for those wishing to experience its serene ambience.
It is easily accessible via e-hailing services, car rentals and Rapid Penang buses. It also offers limited parking on its premises. It is conveniently located in the walkable Georgetown neighbourhood, just a short distance from Little India and the popular Chowrasta Market.
To get to Kapitan Keling Mosque
Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus service from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to Station 15 (towards Kampung Kolam).
Driving: A nine-minute drive and about 1.4 kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available within the compound and on the roadside.
For a lively market experience, head to the Chowrasta Market, established in 1890 within the South Indian immigrant colony, which takes its name from the Urdu phrase for ‘four crossroads’. Today, it is Penang's largest and greenest market, including both wet and dry portions. This lively bazaar sells a wide range of cheap household items, apparel plus local specialities such as tau sar piah (bean-paste biscuits) and preserved nutmeg at substantially lower prices than other tourist destinations. The market's second-hand bookshop upstairs is a treasure trove with old books stacked to the roof. Shoppers can interact with friendly locals to enhance their true market experience.
Chowrasta Market is easily accessible via e-hailing services, car rentals and Rapid Penang buses. Note that it has limited parking. It is also within walking distance of the Kapitan Keling Mosque and Little India, making it a must-see location in Georgetown.
To get to Chowrasta Market Mosque
Shuttle bus: Free shuttle bus service from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal to Station 8 (towards Lebuh Campbell) and a three-minute walk to Chowrasta Market.
Driving: A six-minute drive and about 1.1 kilometres from George Town. Limited car parking spaces are available within the compound and on the roadside.
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