60 places to discover
Acheen Street Mosque, also known as Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, is a historic mosque on Lebuh Acheh in George Town, Penang, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1808 by Arab trader Tengku Syed Hussain Al-Aidid, it served the Acheen Street Malay settlement. Notable for its Moorish-influenced architecture, single minaret, and adjacent cemetery, it remains an active place of worship and a significant heritage landmark in central George Town.
Air Itam Dam is the oldest dam and reservoir in Penang, located in the Air Itam valley within Timur Laut District, about 6 km southwest of George Town. Completed in 1962, it impounds the Sungai Air Itam to supply drinking water to the island. Surrounded by forested hills, the reservoir offers a scenic lakeside jogging track and viewpoints of the dam wall, making it a popular recreational spot for local residents and visitors.
Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian) is a historic street in the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site in Timur Laut District, Penang, Malaysia. Named after the Armenian merchants who settled there in the 19th century, it is known for well-preserved Straits Chinese shophouses, clan houses, and famous street art including Ernest Zacharevic's 'Little Children on a Bicycle' mural.
The Asia Camera Museum is a specialty photography museum located on Armenian Street in George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Established in 2013, it houses over 1,000 vintage cameras and photographic equipment spanning more than a century. The museum displays rare cameras, spy cameras, and darkroom equipment, tracing the evolution of photography in Asia and globally. Housed in a heritage shophouse, it is notable for its extensive private collection and educational exhibits.
Batu Ferringhi Beach is a long sandy beach on the northern coast of Penang Island in Timur Laut District, Penang, Malaysia. Located about 11 km northwest of George Town, it is one of Penang's most developed resort beaches. Known for its soft sand, sunset views, and beachfront resorts, it offers water sports, horse riding, and the famous Batu Ferringhi Night Market nearby, making it a central leisure area for visitors.
Bukit Panchor State Park is a protected lowland forest and recreational park in Nibong Tebal, Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang. Gazetted as Penang's only State Park, it covers about 445 hectares of dipterocarp forest, mangroves and freshwater swamp. It is notable for its bat cave (Gua Kelawar), jungle trails, and rich bird and insect diversity, serving as a nature recreation and conservation area.
Butterworth Art Walk is an outdoor street art gallery located in Lorong Bagan Luar 1, Butterworth, Seberang Perai Utara, Penang, near the Butterworth Ferry Terminal and Penang Sentral. Launched as part of a town revitalization initiative, it features large-scale murals and wall paintings by local artists depicting the history, culture and daily life of Butterworth. The open-air alley is a free public attraction notable for photography and heritage interpretation.
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, known as the Blue Mansion, is a heritage mansion in George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Built between 1897 and 1904 for Chinese merchant Cheong Fatt Tze, it is renowned for its distinctive indigo-blue lime-washed facade and Straits Eclectic architecture blending Hakka, Teochew and Western elements. Part of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, it now operates as a boutique hotel and museum offering guided tours.
Cherok Tok Kun is a forested hill and nature park in Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai Tengah District, Penang, Malaysia. Standing at about 300 meters, it is known for its recreational forest, hiking trails, and an ancient megalith at its summit. Managed as a public recreational park, it offers nature walks, viewpoints over Seberang Perai, and is a popular local destination for hiking and outdoor recreation.
Chew Jetty is the largest and most visited of the six Clan Jetties at Weld Quay in George Town, Penang. Built on wooden stilts over the sea, it is a historic waterfront settlement established by Chinese immigrants of the Chew clan in the late 19th century. Part of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features rows of traditional stilt houses, a temple, shops and homestays, offering insight into clan-based coastal living and heritage architecture.
Chowrasta Market is a historic indoor market in George Town, Penang, located on Jalan Chowrasta within Timur Laut District. Established in 1890, it is one of the city's oldest markets and a well-known landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site buffer zone. The market is noted for fresh produce, local snacks, pickled nutmeg, salted fish, and a distinctive second-floor secondhand book market, reflecting George Town's multicultural trading heritage.
The Church of the Assumption is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Penang, located on Farquhar Street in George Town, Timur Laut District. Founded in 1786 with the arrival of Captain Francis Light, the present cruciform building was constructed between 1860 and 1861. It is part of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its simple colonial architecture, historic interior and continued role as an active parish church.
Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is a Theravada Buddhist temple located on Burma Lane in Pulau Tikus, George Town, Penang. Established in 1803, it is the oldest and only Burmese temple in Malaysia. The temple is known for its Burmese architecture, ornate pagoda, standing Buddha image, murals depicting the life of the Buddha, and serene gardens with ponds. Situated opposite Wat Chaiyamangkalaram, it serves as a center for the Burmese community and visitors.
Entopia is a nature learning centre and butterfly sanctuary located in Teluk Bahang, Barat Daya District, Penang. Originally established as Penang Butterfly Farm in 1986 and rebranded as Entopia in 2016, it houses over 15,000 free-flying butterflies and other insects. The attraction combines an outdoor garden and indoor discovery centre focused on conservation, education and interactive entomology exhibits.
The Esplanade, known locally as Padang Kota Lama, is a historic waterfront promenade and large open field in central George Town, Penang. Located along the seafront in Timur Laut District, it was created in the early 19th century as a parade ground. Today it is a popular public open space for leisure, events and sea views, bordered by Fort Cornwallis and colonial-era civic buildings.
Fort Cornwallis is a star-shaped coastal fort on the northeastern tip of George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Built in 1786 by Captain Francis Light for the British East India Company and rebuilt in brick between 1804 and 1810, it is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. Named after Charles Cornwallis, it never saw combat and today operates as a restored heritage attraction with bastions, cannons, chapel, cells and exhibition galleries.
Frog Hill, also known as Bukit Katak, is an abandoned quarry site in Kampung Guar Petai, Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai Utara, Penang, Malaysia. The site features flooded quarry pits with striking turquoise-blue water contrasted against reddish-brown earth walls and surrounding oil palm plantations. Once an active mining and quarry area, the flooded pits have become a popular informal natural attraction known for scenic photography and short hikes.
Ghost Museum is a themed cultural museum located on Lebuh Melayu in George Town, Timur Laut District, Penang. Opened in 2013, it showcases Malaysian ghost folklore and international horror legends through life-sized figures, dioramas and interactive sets. The museum presents well-known local spirits such as Pontianak, Toyol and Hantu Tetek alongside ghosts from other cultures, making it a popular family-friendly attraction in central George Town.
The Goddess of Mercy Temple, also known as Kuan Yin Teng, is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang, located on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling in George Town, Timur Laut District. Built in 1728 by early Hokkien settlers and dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, it is renowned for its traditional Chinese architecture, ornate roof, dragon pillars, and historic significance as a community and heritage landmark in George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gurney Drive is a prominent seafront promenade in George Town, Penang, located in the Timur Laut District along the northeast coast of Penang Island. Originally reclaimed and developed in the 1930s, it is known for its coastal road, casuarina-lined waterfront, and famous hawker centre. The area is notable for sea views, sunset vistas, and proximity to major shopping malls Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon, making it a central leisure and dining destination.
Hin Bus Depot is a contemporary art and cultural centre in George Town, Penang, housed in a restored 1940s former Hin Company bus depot on Jalan Gurdwara. Abandoned for years and reopened in 2014 as an exhibition space, it is notable for its preserved Art Deco industrial architecture, rotating contemporary art exhibitions, street art, and popular Sunday pop-up market. It serves as a key creative hub within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site area.
The Jubilee Clock Tower is a historic Moorish-style clock tower in central George Town, Penang, at the junction of Lebuh Light and Lebuh Pantai. Built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, it was commissioned by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok. Standing 60 feet tall, it is a prominent landmark within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of the city's British colonial heritage.
Kampung Agong is an agro-tourism attraction located in Kampung Bakar Kapor, Penaga in Seberang Perai Utara, Penang. Set among paddy fields and coconut palm groves, it was developed to showcase traditional Malay kampung life and rural scenery. The site is notable for its open farmland landscapes, preserved village structures, and curated photo spots that attract visitors seeking countryside sightseeing and photography.
Kapitan Keling Mosque is a historic mosque located on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling in George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Built in 1801 by Indian Muslim trader Cauder Mohuddeen Merican, it was the first permanent Muslim institution in George Town. Notable for its Mughal and Moorish-influenced architecture, white facade, domes and single minaret, it remains an active place of worship and a prominent heritage landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town.
Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, located on a hillside at Air Itam in Timur Laut District, Penang. Overlooking George Town, it is renowned for its seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas blending Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural styles and its 36.5-metre bronze Kuan Yin statue. Initiated in 1890, the extensive complex includes prayer halls, gardens, shrines and statues and remains a major Mahayana Buddhist pilgrimage centre.
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is a historic Chinese clan house located in Cannon Square within George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang, Malaysia. Built in 1906 for members of the Khoo clan, it is renowned as one of Malaysia's most elaborate clan houses, featuring intricate stone carvings, woodwork, and ceramic ornamentation. The complex includes a grand hall, opera stage, and museum documenting Khoo family history and Hokkien heritage.
KOMTAR Tower is the iconic 65-storey landmark in central George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Standing at 232 metres, it is the tallest building in Penang and houses Penang state government offices, retail spaces and the major tourist attraction The Top Penang. Completed in 1986 and named after Tun Abdul Razak, it offers panoramic city views and is a central transport hub for the city.
Lim Jetty is one of the six surviving clan jetties along Weld Quay in George Town, Penang, within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built on wooden stilts over the sea by the Lim clan of Fujian Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century, it remains a residential waterfront settlement. The jetty is notable for its traditional stilt houses, wooden walkways, and preserved clan-based community lifestyle facing the Penang Strait.
Little India is a vibrant Indian cultural and commercial precinct in central George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Located around Lebuh Pasar, Queen Street and Market Street inside the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for colourful shophouses, saree and spice shops, jewellery stores, Indian restaurants and the historic Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Established by early Indian traders, it remains a lively heritage and shopping area reflecting Penang's multicultural character.
Made in Penang Interactive Museum is an interactive 3D trick-art and cultural museum located on Pengkalan Weld in George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Housed in a heritage shophouse, it features life-sized dioramas, murals and installations depicting Penang's history, traditions and daily life. Notable for its immersive photo-friendly exhibits, the museum allows visitors to pose with optical illusions and learn about local heritage in an engaging, family-friendly setting.
Pantai Bersih is a public beach located at Bagan Ajam in Butterworth, Seberang Perai Utara, Penang, facing the Strait of Malacca with views toward George Town and Penang Island. It is a popular local leisure area known for its long sandy shoreline, sea breezes and sunset views. The beach is lined with food stalls and casual amenities and serves as a community recreation spot for residents of mainland Penang rather than a resort beach.
Penang 3D Trick Art Museum is an interactive art museum located on Lebuh Penang in George Town, within Timur Laut District, Penang. Housed in a heritage building, it features large-scale 3D trick art murals and optical illusion installations across two floors. Visitors pose with paintings for photography effects. Opened in the mid-2010s, it combines entertainment with local cultural themes and is a popular family attraction in the UNESCO World Heritage zone.
Penang Bird Park is Malaysia's first bird park located in Seberang Jaya, Seberang Perai Tengah on mainland Penang. Established in 1988, it covers about 5 acres of landscaped gardens with lakes and aviaries housing over 300 species and 3,000 birds including hornbills, flamingos, eagles and parrots. Notable for walk-in aviaries, breeding and conservation programs, it serves as an educational and recreational attraction for families and bird enthusiasts.
Penang Botanic Gardens is a 29-hectare public botanical garden at the foot of Penang Hill in Kebun Bunga, George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Established in 1884 by British botanist Charles Curtis on a former granite quarry site, it is also known as Waterfall Gardens. The gardens feature formal plant collections, lily ponds, rainforest trails and colonial-era structures, serving as a major recreational, educational and conservation green space.
The Penang Floating Mosque is a mosque built on stilts over the sea at Tanjung Bungah in George Town, Penang. Officially Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bungah, it was completed in 2007 to replace an older mosque affected by land constraints. Notable for its Moorish-inspired architecture, sea-facing prayer hall and tidal setting, it serves as an active place of worship and a distinctive coastal landmark in Timur Laut District.
Penang Hill, known locally as Bukit Bendera, is a historic hill station in Air Itam, George Town, Penang, rising 833 metres above sea level. Developed by the British in the late 18th century as a cool retreat, it is now a major natural attraction accessed by the Penang Hill Funicular. Notable for panoramic views over George Town and the Strait of Malacca, colonial bungalows, cooler climate, and biodiversity within its rainforest reserve.
Penang National Park is Malaysia's smallest national park, covering about 23 sq km at the northwestern tip of Penang Island near Teluk Bahang in Barat Daya District. Established in 2003 from the former Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, it protects coastal hill dipterocarp forest, mangroves, and secluded beaches. Notable for its meromictic lake at Pantai Kerachut, turtle conservation centre, Muka Head Lighthouse, and diverse trails, it offers hiking, wildlife observation and beach access.
Penang War Museum is a former British coastal defence fort located on Bukit Batu Maung in Barat Daya, Penang, Malaysia. Built in the 1930s to protect Penang Island, it was used during World War II and later abandoned. Restored as an open-air museum, it preserves bunkers, tunnels, barracks and artillery positions across a forested hillside, offering insight into Malaysia's wartime history.
Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a restored 19th-century mansion museum in George Town, Penang, located on Church Street within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 1890s as the residence and office of Kapitan Chung Keng Quee, it now showcases Peranakan heritage with over 1,000 antiques, Straits Chinese furnishings, and ornate architecture blending Chinese, Victorian and European influences.
Pulau Aman is a small inhabited island off the coast of Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang, in the Strait of Malacca. Accessible by a short boat ride from Batu Musang Jetty in Batu Kawan, it is known as a traditional Malay fishing village. The island is notable for its historic Telaga Emas (Golden Well), seafood restaurants, mangrove surroundings, and quiet village atmosphere, offering a short day-trip experience from mainland Penang.
Pulau Jerejak is a 362-acre forested island in the Penang Strait off the southeastern coast of Penang Island, Penang, Malaysia, within Northeast Penang Island District. Formerly a leper asylum, quarantine station and detention centre, it is now an uninhabited nature and heritage island. Known for its dense secondary rainforest, historic ruins and coastal scenery, it is accessible by short ferry from the Jerejak Jetty at Bayan Lepas and offers nature-based recreation near George Town.
Saanen Dairy Goat Farm is an agro-tourism dairy farm in Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, within Barat Daya District, Penang. It is known for breeding Saanen dairy goats and producing fresh goat milk and related products. The farm offers visitors an educational experience about goat rearing, milking, and dairy processing in a rural setting surrounded by orchards and village landscape.
The Snake Temple is a Chinese temple located in Sungai Kluang, Bayan Lepas in Barat Daya District, Penang, Malaysia. Built in 1850 and dedicated to Chor Soo Kong, a healer monk, it is notable for resident Wagler's pit vipers found coiled on altars, pillars and roof beams. The temple features traditional Chinese architecture, ornate roof decorations, incense-filled prayer halls and statues, and is a well-known cultural and religious attraction in Penang.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, located on Queen Street in Little India, George Town, Timur Laut District. Built in 1833 in South Indian Dravidian style, it is dedicated to Goddess Mahamariamman. Known for its ornate gopuram and detailed sculptures of Hindu deities, it serves as a major religious and cultural centre for Penang's Tamil Hindu community.
St. Anne's Church is a Roman Catholic minor basilica located in Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai Tengah, Penang, Malaysia. Established in 1846 by French missionaries, it is one of the oldest and most prominent Catholic churches in Malaysia. The present church, completed in 2002, features modern architecture with stained glass and a large dome. Elevated to Minor Basilica in 2019, it serves as a major pilgrimage centre, especially during the annual St. Anne's Feast in July.
St. George's Church is an Anglican church located on Lebuh Farquhar in George Town, Penang, within Timur Laut District. Completed in 1819 and commissioned by the East India Company, it is the oldest purpose-built Anglican church in Southeast Asia. Built in Georgian Palladian style with Doric columns, it is part of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains an active place of worship and heritage landmark.
Straits Quay is a retail marina and waterfront lifestyle complex in Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, within Timur Laut District, Penang, Malaysia. Developed by Eastern & Oriental Berhad and opened in 2010, it is Penang's first retail marina. The complex combines a private marina with two-storey retail lots, waterfront dining, and a convention centre, facing the Strait of Malacca and offering views of the Andaman Sea and nearby islands.
Suffolk House is a restored Anglo-Indian Georgian mansion located on Jalan Air Hitam in Ayer Itam, George Town, Penang, near the Penang Botanic Gardens. Built between 1805 and 1809 as the residence of Captain Francis Light, founder of Penang, it is regarded as Malaysia's earliest surviving British colonial building. Notable for its white colonnaded facade, symmetrical design and riverside gardens, it now operates as a heritage site, restaurant and event venue.
The Sun Yat Sen Museum is a heritage townhouse museum at 120 Armenian Street in the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, Timur Laut District, Penang. Housed in a restored 1880s Straits townhouse where Sun Yat Sen held his historic 1910 Penang Conference, it preserves original interiors, photographs and exhibits documenting his activities in Penang and the local Chinese community's support for his movement.
Tan Jetty is one of the six historic Clan Jetties at Weld Quay in George Town, Penang, within the Timur Laut District. Built on wooden stilts over the sea by the Tan clan, it is part of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. The jetty retains traditional stilt houses, a wooden walkway, and a close-knit clan community, offering visitors a glimpse into late 19th-century Chinese immigrant settlement heritage.
Tech Dome Penang is a science discovery centre located inside the geodesic dome atop KOMTAR in George Town, Timur Laut District, Penang. Opened in July 2016 by the Penang State Government, it features over 120 interactive hands-on exhibits focused on science and technology. Housed in a refurbished dome, it serves as Penang's premier informal STEM learning centre for families, students and tourists.
TeddyVille Museum is a teddy bear-themed museum located in Batu Ferringhi, Timur Laut District, Penang, Malaysia. Housed in a two-storey building along Jalan Low Yat, it displays a large collection of teddy bears and miniature exhibits tracing the history of teddy bears and showcasing Penang's cultural heritage through dioramas. The museum is notable for its interactive displays, photo opportunities, and curated collections appealing to families and collectors.
The Habitat Penang Hill is a rainforest discovery park on the summit of Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) in Air Itam, Timur Laut District, Penang. Set within a 130-million-year-old hill dipterocarp rainforest, it is notable for its conservation, research and education focus. The park features canopy walks, nature trails and interpretive exhibits within the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.
The TOP Rainbow Skywalk is an open-air glass cantilever walkway on Level 68 of KOMTAR, George Town's iconic tower in Timur Laut District, Penang. Standing 249 metres above sea level, it is the highest glass skywalk in Malaysia. Part of The TOP Penang theme park, it offers 360-degree panoramic views of George Town, Penang Bridge and the Strait of Malacca, and is notable for its U-shaped transparent floor and city skyline experience.
Tropical Fruit Farm is a 25-acre organic orchard in Teluk Bahang, Barat Daya District, Penang. Established in 1993, it conserves and showcases over 250 varieties of tropical and sub-tropical fruits. Located on a hillside overlooking the northern coast, it operates as an agro-tourism attraction offering guided tours, fruit tastings and education on organic farming and Malaysia's fruit diversity.
Tropical Spice Garden is an 8-acre eco-garden located in Teluk Bahang, Barat Daya District, Penang. Set on a former rubber plantation along the island's northwestern coast, it showcases over 500 species of tropical flora, spices and herbs. Opened in 2003, it is notable for its landscaped spice terraces, jungle trails and educational focus on the region's historic spice trade and ethnobotany.
The Upside Down Museum in George Town, Penang is an interactive novelty museum located on Lebuh Kimberley in the Timur Laut District. Opened in 2015, it is the first of its kind in Malaysia, featuring everyday Malaysian scenes recreated entirely upside down. Visitors walk through inverted living rooms, kitchens, and street scenes designed for creative photography, making it a popular family and photo attraction in central George Town.
Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai Theravada Buddhist temple located on Lorong Burma in Pulau Tikus, George Town, within Timur Laut District, Penang. Established in 1845 on land granted by Queen Victoria, it is best known for housing a 33-metre reclining Buddha statue, one of the longest in the world. The temple features colourful Thai architecture, ornate dragons, murals depicting the life of the Buddha, and serves as a centre for the local Thai community.
Waterfall Hilltop Temple is the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located on a hilltop above the Penang Botanic Gardens in Kebun Bunga, George Town, Timur Laut District, Penang. Reached by 513 steps, it is one of the oldest and largest Murugan temples outside India and is notable as the focal point for Thaipusam celebrations in Penang.
Wonderfood Museum is a food-themed museum located on Lebuh Pantai in George Town, Penang, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town. Housed in a 1940s colonial building, it is known for its giant, hyper-realistic replicas of popular Malaysian dishes. The museum showcases Malaysia's diverse culinary heritage through three galleries, making it a popular educational and photography attraction in central George Town.