What to do and see in George Town, Penang: The Best Things to do

January 14, 2022 Timmy Ribble

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. Pinang Peranakan Mansion

29 Church Street, George Town, Penang Island 10200 Malaysia 604-2642929 [email protected] http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,371 reviews

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

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!

2. Colonial Penang Museum

No. 7 Jalan D S Ramanathan Pulau Tikus, George Town, Penang Island 10350 Malaysia +60 12-488 7561 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/colonialpenangmuseum/
Excellent
71%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 375 reviews

Colonial Penang Museum

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.

3. Armenian Street

Lebuh Armenian, George Town, Penang Island Malaysia 09096425236 http://www.onlypenang.com/penang-attractions/penang-street-art-wall-painting-at-penang
Excellent
44%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,563 reviews

Armenian Street

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!

4. Wonderfood Museum Penang

49 Lebuh Pantai Near to Jettynext to CIMB Bank, George Town, Penang Island 10300 Malaysia +60 12-299 1968 https://www.facebook.com/Wonderfoodmuseum
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 366 reviews

Wonderfood Museum Penang

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.

5. Penang Botanical Gardens

Jalan Air Terjun, George Town, Penang Island Malaysia +60 4-227 0428 http://mypenang.gov.my/nature-adventure/parks-gardens/
Excellent
32%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,390 reviews

Penang Botanical Gardens

Reviewed By julivene - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

So we had a little picnic of my darling in this paradise...we can see the real beauty of envitoenment beautiful trees and plants orchid so many things u will see in this place....i really enjoy such a relaxing day for us...nice weather too....i love it

6. Khoo Kongsi

18 Lebuh Cannon, George Town, Penang Island 10200 Malaysia +60 4-261 4609 [email protected] http://www.khookongsi.com.my/
Excellent
42%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,777 reviews

Khoo Kongsi

Reviewed By krithika19

A beautiful ornate clan temple in the heart of Georgetown. The intricate carvings on the temple walls and ceiling are sure to leave you spellbound.

7. Penang Hill

Jalan Stesen Bukit Bendera Air Itam, George Town, Penang Island 11500 Malaysia +60 4-828 8880 [email protected] http://www.penanghill.gov.my
Excellent
32%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 8,291 reviews

Penang Hill

Penang Hill is the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia, dated late 1700’s. The highest peak of Penang Hill stand at 833 metres (2,732ft) above sea level. Penang Hill funicular train service started on October 1923 The current funicular trains is the 4th generation system which started its operation on 24th April 2011. The funicular track stretches a distance of 1,996 metres (1.99KM) from lower to Upper Station which is the longest in Asia. Penang Hill funicular tunnel, at 79 metres (258ft) long and 10feet (3.0m) wide with a steepness of 27.9degree, is the steepest tunnel track in the world. There are a total of 52 hill bungalows located on Penang Hill (42 of them are private-owned and 10 bungalows are state-owned). Most of them are more than 100 years old and Bel Retiro (Governors Bungalows) built in1789 is the oldest. Number of visitor to Penang Hill in 2016 exceed 1.6million.

Reviewed By sylviatini

Penang hill is so beautiful scenery ..You can see penang island from the hill....By skytrain you can reach penang hill...there is a delicious restaurant at penang hill..you can try lunch set menu..The price is reasonable..not too expensive..While you eat you can see nice view and capture more photo...if you are in Penang island..don't forget to go to Penang Hill..

8. Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion

14 Lebuh Leith, George Town, Penang Island 10200 Malaysia +60 4-262 0006 [email protected] http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/discover/daily-tours/
Excellent
43%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,745 reviews

Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion

Important Note: starting June 5th, tours will resume at reduced capacity and under strict guidelines for the safety of our visitors, guests and staff. 11am and 2pm capped are 24 visitors per tour. Discover the story of The Blue Mansion Come in and immerse yourself in the architecture and history of iconic The Blue Mansion, one of George Town’s most lauded architectural gems. Our trained guides will provide comprehensive insight into how the mansion came to be, its heritage, and the man whose vision brought this grand home to fruition. Covering the reception hall, the famed courtyard and the museum exhibition on the second floor, the tour will take 45 minutes in total. Please note that in order to guard the privacy of our hotel guests, only some parts of the mansion are accessible during the tour, but we do encourage guests to experience different facets of The Blue Mansion through staying with us, having a classic cocktail at the bar, or enjoying a meal at our restaurant – Indigo

Reviewed By elliscollins108 - Penang Island, Malaysia

Really wonderful tour, informative yet friendly and funny, well led by our tour guide sally who was full of facts and got everyone involved Beautiful building rich with history and finishing with a drink at the bar as suggested by sally was perfect!

9. Upside Down Museum

45 Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, Penang Island 10100 Malaysia +60 4-264 2660 http://www.facebook.com/upsidedownmuseum
Excellent
37%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 844 reviews

Upside Down Museum

Reviewed By nasimad - London, United Kingdom

A taxi driver suggested this place to us - well worth a visit. We had our 10yr old with us and she loved it. Great fun for all the family leaving you with tonnes of funny photos. it can get very busy but give it a go!

10. Chew Jetty

Pengkalan Weld 59A, Chew Jetty, George Town, Penang Island 10300 Malaysia +60 13-438 1217 [email protected] http://www.mychewjetty.com
Excellent
20%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
31%
Poor
7%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2,967 reviews

Chew Jetty

Reviewed By lisafuturegreen - New York City, United States

Of all the jetties to see "Chew Jetty" is the best one, with the most explanation of the Klan Jetty's. Stroll on the old wooden planks and notice where the tide is..high or low? How does this effect their lives here? This jetty also has good food, gift shops and even a tiny theater "Folklore by the Sea"(at this time it is closed because of the virus). Theses jetties are truly "Living Museums" with an actual neighborhood and community vibe. We stopped at "49 Snow" to cool off with the one of the natural homemade fruit ices. This neat little shop is clean and comfortable. The owners family has been on the jetty for over 130 years. We also bought a homemade tee shirt at one of the cute little up beat shops, which again the owners family had made a living fishing the jetty in the past. Another little old lady was selling note books for a few cents outside her home. Non of these people were pushy or looked greedy...they are just the next generation that cannot fish, yet still have to survive on the jetty some how....this is the only place they know as "home sweet home." We really enjoyed our conversations with these living legends. There is also some nice Street Art Murals, a temple (at the end), and some historic boats. It takes about 1 hr or so to explore the whole jetty if you take your time and do both sides and have a snack and shop along the way.

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