Penang was such a breath of fresh air. Well, technically the air is hot and humid and we were still experiencing sensory overload. However, a very different kind of chaos from what we felt in Kuala Lumpur. It was the kind of sensory stimulation (particularly in George Town) that delighted my spirits. I was so excited and joyfully overwhelmed with everything that I nearly filled up the entire SD card on my camera! Without further ado- let’s get to all the delightful and awesome things to do in Penang, Malaysia.
We opted to stay in George Town because I knew it would be easy to just get out, walk around, and experience everything without much hassle.
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Related Article: How To Travel From Kuala Lumpur to Penang by Bus
Where to stay in Penang?
George Town
Of course the capital city of George Town is high on the list of places to stay. If you’re looking for the ease of walking around and sight-seeing, amazing food culture, plus being in midst of all the historical landmarks and a moderately busy night life, this is the spot for you. One thing to note is that much of the accommodations in the old town area run like hostels. You can still find double private rooms, however shared bathroom is a common thing in these older heritage houses.
Photo of Muntri Heritage House – Where we stayed!
We stayed at the Muntri Heritage House (17$/night for a double room or 5$/night for a shared dorm). Even though the rooms were quite dark and the bathrooms were shared, we felt transported back in time in the best ways. Walking the halls of the heritage house , I could imagine a time when a whole family of 3 generations might have inhabited this charming space. Also the location was prime and close to everything just by a few minutes of walking.
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Batu Feringghi
We drove past this area on our way to Penang National Park. I would say this area is good if you’re looking for more of a beach scene and relaxation. However, it’s a bit far from old town and there wasn’t too much entertainment around from what I saw.
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Things to do in Penang
We spent quite some time happily exploring all that the old town has to offer, and then rented a motorbike for our last couple of days to reach the further destinations. You can rent a car as well or simply call a Grab.
#1. George Town – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Just taking a stroll through the old town area was a delight in itself. Streets like Beach Street, which hosts the historic commercial center, and Chulia Street with amazing street food stalls and carts, or Fort Cornwallis which is Malaysia’s largest and oldest fort. All of these incredible streets and sights are within walking distance if you’re staying in or near the old town. This leads us to more fun and curious activities within George Town.
#2. Street art scavenger hunt
We spent an entire day walking around under the heat and humidity but it was all so worth it. If you follow the dot on GoogleMaps that says “Penang Street Art”, you might find yourself a little lost. This happened to us which is how it turned into an fun scavenger hunt.
Important Tip: Majority of the famous street art pieces are located on and around Lebuh Armenia and Lebuh Chulia. Pick up a paper map to help you find each specific piece.
There are also small alleys that you have to go down to find some of the less obvious but equally quirky pieces of street art. Just make sure to stay hydrated!
#3. Quirky Museums of George Town
There seems to be a museum for anything you can think of in Penang. Some on the list are: The Gold Museum, Coffee&Chocolate Museum, Upside Down Museum, 3D Trick Art Museum, Tunnel Museum, WonderFood Museum, and my personal favorite – The Ghost Museum. All the entry prices are around 5-8USD per person. Since we were on a budget, we chose 3 that sounded the most fun and loved every minute of it.
#4. Rainbow Skywalk
Also referred to as the Komtar Skywalk is located at the top of the Komtar building right dab center of George Town. The best time to visit would be during sunset, so you get a glimpse of the beautiful sunset as well as the city at night illuminated by lights and movement. However, the ticket prices to the observatory deck is a bit steep – 75USD on TripAdvisor. You can also opt to visit one of the businesses/restaurants inside the building. It’s not the highest view point but you can still catch some good views minus the hefty ticket price.
#5. Clan Jetties
The smell of the jetties reminds me a bit of the “Sulfur City” of Rotorua in New Zealand. It’s a bit stinky due to the water and garbage, but I think it’s definitely worth a visit. The jetties hold a lot of historic importance and interesting information. You can also get a wide coastal view of Georgetown and there are cute shops for souvenirs.
Image credit: Matthew Kang
#6. Cheong Fatt Tze | The Blue Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze (1840–1916), the owner of the blue mansion was a Chinese business man and politician. I did a brief search and found that he was a man who came to wealth and political power not by inheritance but by his own will and perseverance. In any case, his presence in Penang was significant enough that there is even a street named after him.
Today, you can actually book and stay at the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion on your visit in George Town. (Prices range from 120-200USD per night)
Image credit: Howcheng
#7. Penang National Park
If you’re a fan of nature and don’t mind a bit of hiking, you should definitely visit the Penang National Park. There are multiple trails here that lead to 2 notable beaches – Monkey Beach and Kerachut Beach. When we were there (April of 2019) the trail to the Monkey Beach was closed due to construction after landslides. We did make it to the Kerachut Beach, but there were signs warning against swimming in the water due to jellyfish. The hike wasn’t the easiest, but it felt good to take a walk in nature after indulging in activities around George Town that required minimal physical assertion and maximum stomach space.
If you still want to visit the beaches but don’t want to hike more than an hour, you can always hire a boat driver to take you to the beaches, or even just arrange a pick up to take you back to the park entrance after your one-way hike. There are boats waiting at the dock by the park entrance, they’re super easy to find.
#8. Batu Ferringhi
Put Batu Ferringhi on the list if you’re not already staying in the area, and you want to catch some water time while visiting Penang. It’s not as dreamy in terms of beach vibes because there are resorts and hotels all around the area. But if you feel so inclined to take a dip in the ocean on your trip, just watch out for jellyfish warnings. I’m starting to see a trend with the Penang coastal beaches. Seems like depending on the time and season, you should be aware of the threat of jellyfish sting.
#9. Kek Lok Si Temple
I wasn’t too thrilled to visit the temple because I guess growing up in China, I felt like I’ve seen it all. But much to my delighted surprise, I quite enjoyed our visit. Kek Lok Si isn’t your average run of the mill temple. Situated atop a hill, the main attraction white pagoda is stylized from Chinese, Thai, and Burmese influences. There is also a giant Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy in Chinese cultures) statue situated right next to the temple, you can actually take a tram to get there from Kek Lok Si. It was definitely one of the more impressive temples I’ve seen on my travels.
#10. Penang Hill Skywalk
Not to be confused with the Rainbow Skywalk, the Penang Hill Skywalk is actually situated a bit outside of the city center and high up on a hill. On a good day, you can get a spectacular view of the city. Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy when we went to visit. However, there are some random activities you can do while there. (Earthquake and Typhoon simulation anyone?) I think it’s a great place to visit with family and kids. The walk up the hill is easy peasy, and you can stop often at vista points. The tram that takes you up to the hill was also a cool experience. It almost felt like an entirely straight up vertical climb, but safe from the comfort of the tram.
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Must try foods in Penang
My list mainly consists of delicious, drool-activating cuisines found in or near George Town, since that is where we stayed on our visit.
#1. Wheeler’s
This place is fabulous for brunch. They’ve got a giant plate of “western” styled breakfast plate that can most definitely satisfy your tastebuds and belly.
#2. Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls
This is more like a whole block of street food to try. Most active at night, the things you can find here are wide in range and fair in price. Most stalls specialize in just one or a few items, so you KNOW they know their stuff.
#3. Yeap Noodles
Super basic and cheap noodles but packs full of flavors. This noodle shop is pretty famous in town and they’ve got a variety of different noodle dishes starting at only 1.8USD. Portions are a bit smaller though, so order two if it makes you happy.
#4. Wai Khee Char Siew
Oh man, this place was SO good that we came back again before leaving Penang. They specialize in roasted meats, and you can tell it’s a family run business that involves generations of hard work and sticking to their recipes. Make sure to order a combo plate or “2 person plate” to get the variety of meats and sausages to try. The meal also comes with rice, veggies and a small soup. Super cheap and amazingly delicious.
#5. Kai Curry Bar
This place was hip yet cozy. They serve Japanese styled curry that comes on a giant plate of delicious pork, chicken, or vegetarian options. The curry packed full of flavors and the value of the portion deserves two thumbs up.
#6. China House
This might be one of the most popular cafe/restaurant/art gallery in George Town. It’s a huge gorgeous space that not only serves awesome food and dessert, but also stretches into an art gallery, a quirky bar that may or may not be open, and a garden dining area for those not afraid of the heat. I was recommended to try this place, and I can definitely understand the hype. They do specialize in a variety of desserts and cakes, so make sure to come here on an empty stomach.
Related Article: How To Travel From Kuala Lumpur to Penang by Bus
And if that’s still not enough to satisfy your appetite, make sure to check out some of these awesome food tours in Penang:
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