Top Things to do in George Town
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in George Town, Penang
The beauty and rich history of George Town keeps tourists flocking all year round. George Town offers views of the famous Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Kapitan Keling Mosque and many of the capital's golden crowned Buddhist temples. With museums showcasing the country's rich-historical treasures, restaurants that offer classic Malaysian cuisine and dozens of shopping malls, there's guaranteed to be something for everyone to see.
Restaurants in George Town
1. Penang House of Music
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 214 reviews
A celebration of Penang's glorious musical heritage and cultural diversity with carefully curated exhibitions and interactive features. We showcase, among many things, Penang's popular music from the 1940s-1960s, a feature on communal music, a recreation of a radio booth and cinema, and many others! Also available is a resource center where visitors may discover an ever-growing vinyl collection, newspaper clippings, previously unreleased recordings, audio and video interviews and many, many more.
Reviewed By charmynishungry - Kulai, Malaysia
If you are a first timer here in Penang, and you LOVE music.. this place is a MUST VISIT! Not only that the staffs are friendly, but they are willing to let you interact with the instruments. It is a music museum, so you'll learn a lot about Penang's history and how Western music was able to influence music in Penang back in the 1950s.
2. Dharmikarama Burmese Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 870 reviews
Reviewed By JayashreeR53 - Gurugram (Gurgaon), India
I think this one has the world’s largest standing Buddha - it’s an enormous gold plated statue in a gorgeous golden Buddhist temple with intricate architecture. A must visit.
3. Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,371 reviews
Reviewed By aiyomango
A beautiful house filled with antiques -- it is well worth waiting to join a guided tour in order to get the most out of your visit, as many of the objects in the main house have short (rather than detailed) labels for visitors to read. Our guide, Stanley, was friendly and knowledgeable, giving us a great insight into the history of the family who had built and lived in the house, as well as taking us through the extensive collections on display. Stanley was very happy to answer questions from our little group and made our visit a fascinating, very memorable one!
4. Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By kannan_pasam - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
During my recent illness I made a vow that I would visit all the old Hindu Shrines in West Malaysia and offer thanksgiving prayers. I wanted to recite the Gayathri Mantra and Om Triambagam prayers 108 times in each of these halls of prayer. I have for many years wanted to visit the Penang Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani ( Waterfall ) temple ; however work commitments made me postpone my plans several times. Finally last week I got to fulfill my vow. We had booked into the Tropics 8 service suites ; the foyer of the hotel provided majestic views of the temple up on the hill. Early the following morning Angie and I climbed the 513 steps up to the temple ; the steps were broad and the gradient was gentle, so the climb did not require alot of exertion though we stopped several times to rest. We were also blessed with good weather - cloudy skies but no rain, so it was not hot when we were climbing. The surrounding trees and shrubs provided shade and our eyes were treated to the beauty of nature. Along the way we had stunning views of the Georgetown skyline. There were several monkeys frolicking but they did not pay attention to us - we had however taken the advice of other Devotees and kept the flowers we had brought as offerings, safely tucked into over back packs - the monkeys are known to have attacked visitors in their attempts to grab the flowers to play. The climb took us 30 minutes and at the end , our efforts were rewarded when the beautiful temple came into view. I would recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. The temple was initially located near the waterfall in the Botanical gardens. Records indicate that the temple was already in existence in 1800 ; local lore states that the temple site was chosen by a holy man, who dedicated it to Lord Murugan - the temple is thus busiest on Lord Muruga's birthday Thaipusam when an estimated crowd of 100000 devotees arrive from around the region to pray and seek His blessings. In 1914, the temple was relocated to its present site and in 1985, the temple rebuilt and the Mahakumbhashegam prayers conducted. It is said to be the largest Murugan temple outside India. Worshipping hours are 7 am to 9 am and 430 pm to 915 pm. There were very few devotees when we arrived early in the morning after having first said our prayers at the Ganesa temple sited at the base of the hill. I could say my prayers in peace and at the end the priest tied the prayer string around my right wrist. We were also privileged to be able to say prayers for some of my friends who were ill - I thus wrote in my whatsapp message to friends that it was a very satisfying visit as I could beseech Lord Muruga's blessings for an ailing father, a friend who was suffering from stage 4 colon cancer and a favorite nephew who was due to undergo a biopsy procedure.
5. Asia Camera Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
Reviewed By ngk840
it's a very nice place here. You are going to love it if you are interested in photography or films. The manager there is very knowledgeable but she speaks a little bit faster. Price is rm10 for students price and we spent about 1 hour therem definitely worth your time and place. Just an advice herr, strictly no recording. We snapped an Instagram boomerang and the manager is kinda paranoid but i understand. Photos are allowed there but they have 0 tolerance for video recording
6. Colonial Penang Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
Our Colonial Penang museum will bring visitors back to Penang's colonial past. Experience the unique lifestyle of both the British Administrators & the wealthy merchants, appreciate the intricate art form from the past and the influence of British to our Penangites. Visitors can find unique antiques such as :- - Parchment handwritten document by Captain Francis Light, founder of Penang, - Francois Linke ,the Belle Epoque of French furniture, - The white carrara marble statues by Atelier R.Bigazzi Florence, - Reverse painting by William Morris & Company (Westminster) Ltd., ( Ruskin House ), - Stained Glass window by Hubert McGoldrick / Alfred Ernest Child and Katherine O'Brien , - Roman pillars and tree house and many more. The museum can also be used as an educational instrument for students to promote the understanding and significant of our rich heritage in the past.
Reviewed By TAvisitior
Visited Colonial Penang Museum on 18.8.19, we were met by the friendly guide who could tell us the history about every single piece of the exhibit. We posted numerous questions and he share all his story so happily with such vigour and passion. Fans, light bulbs, radios that still works after more than 90 years! Beautiful stain glass, wonderfully preserved antiques, lovely garden, gracious and funny guide and host - this all made up for an unforgetable time.
7. Armenian Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,563 reviews
Reviewed By pawool73 - Brisbane, Australia
This street is just fabulous, some great street wall art, amazing shops, fabulous coffee, restaurants, character filled and buzzing with tourists, just loved it!
8. Wonderfood Museum Penang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Reviewed By RoadtrippersAsia - Penang, Malaysia
One of the best museum in Penang where one can learn and understand all about the food culture and history of Malaysia. You will find larger than life food form of this multiracial country as well as interesting food facts and the history of the food here. I believe this is an one of its kind museum in the region. Totally worth the RM25 entrance fee.
9. Hin Bus Depot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Hin Bus Depot is an art and events space located in George Town, Penang. Established in 2014, the space is run by a small creative collective that curates the contents of the space, which includes exhibitions & street art by local and international artists, parties, music gigs, theatre plays, festivals, fashion events, brand launch and a whole lot more. The space started off with only an exhibition space and an outdoor stage, and now expanded with 6 food and beverage outlets, another gallery, 4 artist studios and a few others that will be joining the ‘Hin family’ soon. Hin Bus Depot supports and showcases progressive and upcoming artists, artworks, events and art forms.
Reviewed By Nijgraver - George Town, Malaysia
This is a great Sunday venue for either a solo traveler or all the family with varied art and craft stalls and a number of excellent food and drink outlets. Along with play areas for the children A must to visit on a sunday
10. Tech Dome Penang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Explore, discover & experience science at Penang's 1st Science Discovery Centre (KOMTAR, Georgetown). 150+ interactive exhibits & countless hours of fun.
Reviewed By ChuahSzeWei - George Town, Malaysia
Tech Dome Penang is a good educational place for people to visit. It has more than 150 interactive exhibits to interact with. The exhibits are fun and it also provides education to us. It is a "MUST" place to visit when you come to Penang.
