What to see in Georgetown, Penang

The historic city of Georgetown is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang, Malaysia. The following places are the different popular and famous destination around Georgetown.  I walked all over the streets and also found tourist doing the same.

What to see in Georgetown

Goddess of Mercy Temple

Located in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and also called Kuan Yin Temple.  The popular temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The first foundation was laid in 1728 by Chinese settlers and completed in 1800. This is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang.

City Hall

Located in Lebuh Light.   Built in 1903, this is the headquarters of Penang Island Municipal Council.  The first World War monument for fallen soldiers is located here.

Town Hall

Located in Lebuh Light in between City Hall and Penang Art Gallery

Penang Art Gallery

Located in Lebuh Light and was officially launched in 1964. The gallery showcase outstanding works by international artists including from Japan and Thailand.

Esplanade

A seafront promenade bordering an open field where festivals and events are often held.  Located along the stretch are a War Memorial to fallen soldiers, a hawker food court and the ancient Fort Cornwallis.

Fort Cornwallis

Built when Captain Francis Light first landed in Penang, this ancient sentinel of George’s Town guarded over the island’s cape.

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower

The 60 feet clock tower, commissioned by the wealthy Cheah Chen Eok was built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.  Each foot represents a year in the Queen’s reign.

St. George’s Church

Located in Lebuh Farquhar.  Built between 1817 and 1818, it is said to be the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia.

Penang State Museum

Located in Lebuh Farquhar.  Almost destroyed in World War II bombing, this building houses a plethora of Penang historical artifacts.

Cathedral of the Assumption

Located in Lebuh Farquhar. The history of the church is as old as Penang itself.  It was set up not long after the landing of Francis Light and the arrival of Eurasians from Kedah on the eve of the Feast of Assumption.  In 1995, it was awarded the status of Cathedral.

State Assembly Buildings

Located in Lebuh Farquhar and Lebuh Light. These exquisite 19th century buildings were formerly the Police Court and are now the venue for State Assemblies.

Little India

This little quarter of South Indian culture is the place where early Indian immigrants first settled down in Penang.  It is the island’s epicenter of Indian music, savory cuisine, exotic spices and authentic goods.

Mahamairamman Temple

Located in Lebuh Queen.  Built in 1883, it is the oldest Hindu temple and was dedicated to Muthu Mariamman. A distinctive feature of the temple is its gopuram with 38 exquisitely carved Hindu deities.

Teochew Temple

Located in Lebuh Chulia. A prime example of Teochew architecture, the temple was built in 1855 and move to its present site in 1870.  In 2006, the temple received the Award of the Merit of UNESCO Asia-Pacific for Culture Heritage Conservation.  The temple is also known as the Han Jiang Teochew Ancestral Temple.  It is the first Malaysian Chinese temple to use fiber optic and LED lighting for its decorative details.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Located in Lebuh Chulia.  Founded in 1801 by Kapitan Keling Kadir Mydin Merican, is the largest mosque in George Town.  Designed in Moghul architecture, it features beautiful minarets and domes.

Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi

This clan temple features classic Chinese architecture and the surprising addition of British lion heads on the temple.  The lions symbolise the Straits Chinese loyalty to the British colonial powers. The Cheah Clan is one of the oldest Hokien clans in Penang,

Khoo Kongsi

Located in Lebuh Armenian.  Completed in 1906, the temple belongs to the Khoo Kongsi clan.  This temple features fine Chinese architecture and craftsmanship.

Masjid Malayu Lebuh Acheh

Located in Lebuh Acheh.  The mosque was founded by Tengku Syed Hussiah bin Abdul Rahman Hussain in 1808 for the early Hadrami Arab settlers.

For other posts, please check: Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia Penang Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

 

Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

It was my first time to travel to Malaysia and I was doing solo traveling. I’d been hearing that Penang’s foods were very delicious. Penang was tagged as the Food Capital of Malaysia and I was intrigued by it and decided to book a flight to Penang.

Arrival at Penang and Sogor Girls

I had a two-way flight to Kuala Lumpur and transferred to Penang flight. My two flights were both delayed. I arrived at Penang International Airport at about 10 in the evening. While waiting for the Penang flight, I opted to arrange an airport transfer going to Sogor Girls Dormitory in Georgetown since it was already late at night.
I met Christine Koo and she was a tourist guide. I asked her first that I’d look for a money changer first since I don’t have Malaysian Ringgit yet. She offered her services to me for the tour in Penang. It was an hour drive from the airport to where I was staying. Christine also toured me along Georgetown at night before driving me to the dormitory. I was able to see the Queen Victoria Memorial Tower Clock and the Blue House. I told her I’d let her know if I would avail of her services.
Upon reaching the dormitory, the restaurant to where I should check-in was already in their closing time. After checking in, Albertine, one of the staff of Sogor toured me to the dormitory. There were only four of us, including Albertine who was staying in the 20-capsule type dormitory. There was a laundry area with the shower and bathroom. A common room is overlooking the street with books and magazines and on the mezzanine is an entertainment room with more books and a dining table.

One Day Tour of Georgetown, Penang in Malaysia

Georgetown City

The following day, I checked my itinerary first and decided not to avail the tour. I left the dormitory at around 9 AM. I was walking and trying to find a nearby bus stop when I saw the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows along Jalan Macalister. I went there to pray for my journey alone. I turned right from going to Jalan Dato’ Keramat and found McDonald’s near Penang Square.

The McDonald establishment was inside the Birch House. I had breakfast first and then I went inside Penang Times Square. I went back to McDonald’s and asked two men talking where was the nearest bus stop going to Fort Cornwallis. The man said he could take me there since he was meeting a client. His name is Lim and he was also tourist guide.
I got a free ride going to the famous Georgetown, a UNESCO Heritage site and it was past 10 in the morning. He told me that he would drive me nearby and he also offered his services to me if I need the tour guide the following day. He dropped me off in Goddess of Mercy Temple.

He also pointed out where I should go because the historical sites were also walking distance and near each other. I went inside the temple which was also called Kuan Yin Temple. From the temple, I walked to the left side of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. I turned right to Lebuh Light and found the City Hall, Town Hall and Penang Art Gallery.

I walked straight and saw Esplanade and at the stretch was the Fort Cornwallis. I went inside the Fort Cornwallis. I toured the fort for about an hour and also stayed there for a while since it was already noon time. There are hawkers stall near Fort Cornwallis. From the Fort Cornwallis, you could also see the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, which I was able to see from last night.


I walked from the tower and the Esplanade food court going back to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling to check the St. George’s Church. It was closed for renovation at that time. Next to the church is the Penang State Museum. I went inside the Penang Museum and discovered the history of Georgetown. Besides the museum is Cathedral of the Assumption. Across the street is the State Assembly Buildings.


After which I followed the sign going to Little India. In Little India, I saw the Mahamairamman Temple which was also under renovation. Then I went to Teochew Temple. I went to the next street and saw Kapitan Keling Mosque. Still walking along the streets I also found Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi, Khoo Kongsi and the Masjid Malayu Lebuh Acheh.

Penang Art

Upon reaching Lebuh Acheh Street I decided to take a rest from walking. I saw the “Boy on Chair” Street art in the wall of the restaurant. I went inside the Busy Bodhi Café and ordered a Mango juice. After 30 minutes I decided to check the street art and the marking Georgetown near the area.


But since I was already exhausted because of walking, I only saw the Lion Dance, Cultural Girls, Magic, and Kids on Bicycle along Lebuh Armenian. For the Marking, I saw Cannon Hole, Too Narrow. There were souvenir and restaurants in Lebuh Armenian, including the art galleries. I then walked back to Lebuh Light to ride the free Penang bus going to Komtar Mall.


From Komtar mall, I alighted at the Penang Town Square bus stop. From the bus stop, there was the Nagarathar Siven Temple and Huan Yan Temple before Baru road. At the end of the street was street food and I bought the chicken rice. I was really exhausted with all the walking for almost 7 hours, and it was really hot in Penang.
There were many other tourist spots I wasn’t able to see and there were other street arts and markings that I wasn’t able to check out. One day is not enough to explore Georgetown. The next time I come back to Penang, I would book a hotel along the streets of the UNESCO heritage site. I would still recommend walking along Georgetown.

You can also tour Penang via the Penang Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Penang Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

I tried the Hop-on Hop-off in Penang, Malaysia when I visited last 2016. This was my experience during the tour. There may be changes already as it has been three years already.

It is a double-decker bus tour throughout Penang Island that has two pick-up points – CITY and BEACH routes. The different routes cover the most popular and visited attractions on the island including the beautiful landmarks of Georgetown, a UNESCO cultural heritage and the second famous destination Batu Feringghi.

Where to avail tickets

The 24-hour ticket cost 45 Malaysian Ringgit. The tour goes by the Hop-on Hop-off concept at any designated stop with the choice of the ticket validity for 24-hours or 48-hours or a single trip.  You can buy the ticket on the double-decker bus; Gurney Drive (Stop 1) counter and in Chowrasta (Stop 7) counter; in authorized agents and authorized hotels. Make sure to get a brochure of the Hop-on Hop-off Bus to have a detailed schedule and information about the tour. The brochures are found on the bus and on the counters.

City Route

There are 8 stops for the City Route. The different City stops are Gurney Drive, Penang Hill, Komtar, Chowrasta, UNESCO Heritage, Cruise and Francis Light Tomb (Stop 7). The schedule time for the City route may also depend on bad weathers, road closures and traffic congestion, especially during peak hours and weekends.

There are so many popular landmarks for the City route. The most visited are Gurney Plaza, Gurney Hawker, Botanical Garden, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Komtar Mall, Chowrasta Market, George Town UNESCO World Heritage City, China Town, Little India, The Goddes of Mercy (Kuan Yin Temple), Clan Jetty, Penang Ferry Terminal, Tanjung City Marina, Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Penang Town Hill, Fort Cornwallis, Penang Museum & Art Gallery, St. George Church, Cheong Fatt Tze (Blue Mansion), Dharmikarama Burmese Temple and many others.

Beach Route

The pick-up point and the first and last stop of the Beach route are in Gurney Drive. There’s a schedule time for the beach route. The 10 stops for the Beach route are Gurney Drive, Straight Quay ,Flamingo, Miami Beach, Holiday Inn, Golden Sands, Hard Rock, Tropical Spice and, Entopia (Stop 15). From Taman Rimba, the bus will make a U-Turn going back to the different stops and the bus will interchange again in Gurney Drive.

There are 18 attractions for the Beach route. The destinations are Straits Quay Lighthouse Mall, Flamingo, Miami Beach, Holiday Inn, Batu Ferringghi Beach, Hard Rock Café, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang Fishing Village, Penang National Park, Pantai Keratchut, Bt. Kerajaan Forest Reserve, Batik Factory, Toy Museum, Escape, Entopia Butterfly Farm, Taman Rimba, Teluk Bahang Dam and Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve.

 

Sightseeing from Hop-on Hop-off Bus City Tour

I waited at the Penang Time Square Mall (Stop 05) and availed the 24-hour ticket since my hotel was near the area. Since I already had my walking tour in Georgetown, I decided to tour it by bus and to see the different places from the top.  But the main reason I went for this tour was going to Penang Hill and to tour the Beach routes.

Penang Hill is the second stop (Stop 02).  It is the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia way back late 1700’s.  The highest peak stands at 833 meters above sea level.  The funicular service started in October 2013 and the existing train is the 4th generation system which started in April of 2011.  The Penang Hill funicular tunnel is 79 meters long and 3 meters wide with the steepness of 27.9 deg.  It is the steepest tunnel track in the world.

Penang Hill offers a panoramic view of the city.  At the summit, there is a flower garden, a mini bird park, and owl museum, bungalows, guesthouses, love-lock area, old train, restaurant and the historic Bellevue Hotel.  The ride is every 15 minutes going down and going up. I went there during the day, but Penang Hills offer a different view during night time.

I ate at the highest restaurant in Penang Hill called The Summit.    I also went to the two temples around Penang Hill.

After which I again traveled the City tour of the hop-on and hop off.  I had a look at Kek Lok Si from afar, the State Mosque on the right side.    I alighted at Gurney Drive Stop 01 to transfer to the Beach route bus.

Exploring the Hop-on Hop-off Beach Tour

From the bus ride, I saw Strait Quays, Masjid Terapung, Miami Beach, the gates going to the National Park and Tamban Rimba where the Teluk Bahang Dam and Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve were located.

I went down to Tropical Spice (Stop 19) and lingered at the white sand beach around the area.  It was also called Teluk Bahang Fishing Village.  I enjoyed a meal in the fishing village. At the far end are rock formations overlooking Batu Ferringhi at the left side.  I went to Hard Rock Café to check the store and went to Batu Ferringhi.

Batu Ferringhi is the most popular beach area because of its winding stretch of the sandbar.  Water sports are available in the area.  Different restaurants, shops, hotels and hostels are found in the area.  I explored the long stretch of the white sandy beach of Batu Ferringhi. I waited for sunset in the area while watching the different water sports activities in the area. I also enjoyed the view while I sat at the sand.

While waiting for the bus I checked out the night market. When the bus arrived, it was already night time and I enjoyed the cool breeze from the top of the double-decker. We were dropped off at Gurney Drive. You can also see the Gurney Plaza and the Gurney Drive Hawkers food stall.

I explored the different hawker’s food stall and bought Satay or Marinated Meat Skewers and Char kway teow or stir-fried rice cake strips. The Gurney Hawkers offers delicious hawker food in Penang Malaysia.