Penang attractions guide - Top 10
Penang Hill's Funicular Railway has great views
As you would expect from a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are countless fascinating attractions in Penang which cater for all tastes. From authentic Chinese clanhouses and Buddhist pagodas to Victorian monuments, industrialists’ mansions and European churches, Penang has it all. There are many fascinating museums in Penang which help visitors understand the different races and cultures that call the island home.
Plus there are many religious sites where all Penang citizenship worship their chosen deities, plus marketplaces and contrasting areas for shopping. Most Penang attractions are contained within Georgetown, although some in the surrounding areas are less crowded with overseas visitors and therefore more authentically Malaysian. Below are some of the most popular attractions in Penang, but check out our activities guide for more fun things to do.
Penang Hill
Penang Hill is 821m elevated above sea level and provides stunning vistas of the entire island, and probably forms the most visited tourist sight on the whole of Penang.
Significantly cooler than the rest of the area, this Penang attraction (otherwise known as Flagstaff Hill or Bukit Bendera) is a must-see for any visitor.
A cablecar transports tourists up to the breathtaking panoramic views in half-an-hour (RM4) with a church, restaurant, Hindu temple, mosque and snake show awaiting at the summit. Taxis from downtown cost RM20 or take Rapid Bus U204. (Air Itam, George Town, Tel: +60 (0)4 262 0202, Open: 06:30 – 21:30 Sunday – Friday and until 23:30 Saturdays and public holidays)
Fort Cornwallis
Penang Hill Railway - get ready for fine views
One of the best-loved Penang landmarks, the 10ft walls are arranged in a curious star pattern and some of the century-old areas such as prison cells, chapel, arsenal and harbour are fascinating to explore.
The infamous 17th century bronze Dutch cannon ‘Seri Rambai’ is curiously revered by Penangites has having a beneficial effect regarding women’s fertility. There are tours available which give visitors a thorough insight into this unique Penang attraction. (Lebuh Light, Padang Kota Lama, George Town, Tel: +60 (0)4 261 0262, open: 09:00 – 18:30 , admission: RM1)
St George’s Church
This impressive Christian place of worship was built by convicts in 1816 and is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. The original structure escaped major damage during Second World War bombing and has remained largely unaltered over the years.
The huge Grecian columns dominating the building’s facade are extremely striking. A grand Capitan Francis Light memorial, dedicated to the man who established the island in 1786, can be found in front of the church. Regular services are still held to this day. (1 Jalan Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, Tel: +60 (0)4 261 2739, open: 09:00 – 17:00, admission: free)
Kek Lok Si Temple
A top Penang attraction is Chinese Kek Lok Temple
This century-old complex in the small town of Air Itam is comprised of meticulously preserved gardens with sacred temples dotted throughout. The huge 120ft bronze statue of Kuan Yin high up on the hill dominates the landscape and the stunning seven-tiered Pagoda of 1,000 Buddhas mixes Chinese, Thai and Burmese styles within the same structure.
Within are exotic Buddha statues comprised of different materials. At the four compass points of the complex are guardian statues of Four Heavenly Kings with a statue of The Laughing Buddha at the centre. (Jalan Balik Pulau, six kilometres from George Town, Air Itam, Tel: +60 (0)4 899 8222, open: 09:00 – 18:00, admission: free)
Khoo Kongsi Clanhouse
This is one of the most prominent Chinese communities which established itself on the island, and the lose-knit rows of terraced houses and clearly-divided territories are one of the most unique tourist attractions in Penang.
Dating back almost 700 years, Khoo Kongsi were one of the five ‘big clans’ (with the Lim, Cheah, Yeoh, and Tan) and formed the backbone of the Hokkien community. Occasionally these feuding families would take part in pitched battles in the street.
Each clan (kongsi) has it’s own central house which acts as the focal point for the particular community. And the ornate Leong San Tong is arguably the most striking outside of China. (18 Cannon Square, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, Tel: +60 (0)4 261 4609, open: 09:00 – 17:00, admission: free)
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
This 1896 stately home was constructed according to the principles of Feng Shui by master Chinese craftsmen. It was built by an important civil servant and Nanyang industrialist who settled here but wanted the ornate architecture of his homeland lovingly recreated. Cheong Fatt Tze had eight wives and despite a wide-ranging empire made Penang his home.
Arguably one of the best examples of a classical oriental mansion outside of mainland China, it is also possible to stay here in one of the 38 guest rooms. (14 Leith Street, Tel: +60 (0)4 262 0006, open only with tours at 11:00 and 15:00, admission: RM10)
Penang Museum and Art Gallery
The islands’s historic and sometimes bloody past is showcased in this Penang museum which contains an extensive collection of maps, documents, photos, antiques and costumes demonstrating the cultural heritage of the state. The building dates from 1821 and used to be the Penang Free School.
The Art Gallery above the museum displays contemporary works by local artists plus some fascinating portrayals of Penang from yesteryear. (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, Tel: +60 (0)4 261 3144, open: 09:00 – 17:00, closed Fridays, admission: RM1/0.50 adult/child)
The imposing Clock Tower
The Clock Tower
The 60ft Queen Victoria Clock Tower is one of the most iconic images of historic Penang. Commissioned by a local philanthropist, Cheah Chen Eok, to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee, the tower’s height is supposed to represent the length of Victoria’s glorious reign. This Penang attraction suffered slightly during the Second World War bombing and so now lean to the side slightly. (Light Street, King Edward’s Place and Beach Street, admission: free)
Kapitan Keling Mosque
Built in the 19th century, this is the first mosque constructed on Penang and remains one of the largest attractions in Georgetown. The Moghul-style copper domes are in striking contrast to some of the oriental buildings surrounding.
The place of worship is called after the chief of Penang’s Indian Muslim community with ‘Keling’ being the name of South Indian immigrants. Remember to seek permission from Mosque officials, dress conservatively and remove shoes before entering. (Corner of Jalan Buckingham and Lebuh Chulia, Georgetown, Tel: +60 (0)4 262 0202, admission: free)
Kuan Yin Temple
Kuan Yin Temple is the oldest temple in Penang and was built in the early 19th century to honour Kuan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. She was extremely popular in Penang and pictured as a white-robed beautiful goddess filled with compassion and devotion.
The building is constructed in classic oriental architectural style with curved roofs and stone carvings of dragons and other mythical creatures. The temple was traditionally very popular with the Chinese seafaring community as it also honours patron saint of sailors, Ma Chor Poh. (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Tel: +60 (0)4 261 6663, admission: free)
Penang Islamic Museum
This informative Penang attraction housed with in a beautiful heritage building tracks the foundation of Islam in the island state and the development of the religion here throughout the years. There are many artefacts and exhibits displayed in the various galleries and sections according to theme, with art and philosophy playing a major part. (128 Armenian Street, George Town, Tel: +60 (0)4 262 0172, 09:30 – 18:00, admission: RM3/1 adult/child)
