This was also featured in the movie Anna & the King and used to depict the streets of old Bangkok. In Penang's early days, the Armenians were prominent traders, even though their numbers were small. By far, the most famous of the Armenians to emerge from this area is the Sarkies Brothers who set up the renowned Eastern & Orient...

Undoubtedly the most popular and developed beach in Penang. It is a long stretch of soft sandy beach in the northern part of the island. Whether you're on a budget, or looking for a luxurious 5-star hotel, there is something for everyone here. There are lots of activities to do. Besides relaxing, sun-bathing or just hanging out in the swimming...

The Botanic Garden (also known as Botanical Garden) is a popular recreational spot for locals, many coming as early as 5 a.m.. Popular activites include jogging, walking, aerobics, tai chi and many more. It is also one of the starting point for the trek up to Penang Hill and the surrounding highlands. It also houses various unusual plants,...

A Grand Mansion conceived and constructed by a Grand Man; an eminent edifice which History calls Home; a peerless representation of the Paradigm Chinese Courtyard House – the Cheong Fatt Tze “Blue” Mansion has been perfectly poised for over a century on firm foundations of architectural, cultural and historic superlatives. Essentially an ‘heirloom with rooms’, today, the Mansion readily bequeaths...

Built in 1903 in the typical British Palladian architectural style, the building has been listed as a national monument since 1982 under the Antiquities Act 1976. It currently houses the Penang Municipal Council Chambers and two departments – the Licensing and the Urban Services departments.

Burmese Buddha Temple

A simple shop lot became the base from 1909 - 1911 for the revolutionary Chinese leader Dr Sun Yat's efforts to modernise China and turn it into a republic. Penang supported Dr Sun's efforts and raised funds for the uprising in China during that historical period. The shop lot is open for visitors wishing to learn more about...

Fort Cornwallis is an old star-shaped fort located on the northeastern coast of Penang, Malaysia. It is named after the late 18th century Governor-General of Bengal, India, Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis. Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. Captain Sir Francis Light took possession of the island from the Sultan of Kedah in 1786 and built...

The Kek Lok Si Temple is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang and is one of the best known temples on the island. Most visitors approach the temple as they ascend a stairway, roofs of which provide shelter to a multitude of shops selling souvenirs and other - mostly secular - commodities. They pass by a...

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, or Khoo Kongsi for short, is one of the most distinctive Chinese clan associations in Malaysia. It is well known worldwide for its extensive lineage that can be traced back 650 years, as well as its closely-knit and defensive congregation of buildings and a magnificent clanhouse. Surprisingly, famous as it is, its location...

What began as a simple single-storey brick structure envisioned by Cauder Mydin Merican, the then headman, or Kapitan, of the Indian Muslim community in 1801, has been added to and embelished over the centuries. It is believed that the 18-acre lot, now reduced to only eight acres (as rest was used for building roads and houses), was granted to the...

The first & largest bird park of its kind in Malaysia. Established since 1988, the 5-acre park on the mainland portion of Penang State, has a collection of more that 300 species of birds from all over the world, of which more than 150 species are of Malaysian Species. More than 3,000 birds in this park are carefully...

Once the longest bridge in South-east Asia when opened in 1985, the bridge still looks magnificient even by today's standards. At a total length of 13.5km, the bridge connects mainland Penang with Penang island. Tens of thousands of commuters travel across it daily. Unfortunately, you cannot stop in the middle of the bridge unless it is an emergency. The bridge...

Penang Butterfly Farm

In operation since 1986 and working from its base at the Museum, the Trust strives to conserve Penang's heritage, promote Georgetown as a living heritage town, as well as to promote the spread of information on Penang's historical heritage. It conducts a number of informative Heritage Trail Tours that trek through many parts of old Penang.