What to do in Penang, Malaysia: the island of cultural tapestry

Penang is an island located in the Andaman sea, just West of mainland Malaysia and is connected to it by a bridge. It is a true jewel as a place to visit, since there is a wide range of things to do in Penang. From exploring the rich cultural heritage and enjoying the street art of its capital, George Town, to immersing in the nature of Penang Hill or Penang National Park, and even spend a day at the beach! In this post, we will explore what to do in Penang and I will give you some additional tips on how to get there or where to stay. Let’s dive in!

George Town is the capital of the state of Penang and, as such, the central site of most of the island’s history. This is very clear in George Town’s streets, which are proof of a rich history of cultural heritage. From colonial remains of the British Empire, to influences from Chinese and Indian migrations and unique structures like the clan jetties, George Town is a beautiful cultural tapestry. In my opinion, George Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Malaysia, so let’s dive in:

* Since I need to maintain Feast of Travel, it is possible that this post contains affiliate links. It does not affect you in any way, but if you want to read more about it, you can have a look at the Trusted companies page.

Top 11 things to do in Penang, Malaysia

1. Visit Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si is an immense Buddhist temple located at the foot of Penang Hill. It is truly one of the most beautiful temples you’ll find in the country, so it is a definite must when visiting Penang. While being one of the main tourist attractions in the island, you can still enjoy it with some intimacy, since it is so massive and full of little corners and rooms that you’ll have your own space. There are many impressive features of the temple, but some highlights are the beautiful 7-tiered Ban Pho Tar Pagoda and the giant bronze statue of the Goddess Kuan Yi. Being one of the most important places to visit in Penang (and in Malaysia if you ask me), I wrote a dedicated article where I explain the different sections of the temple as well as some practicalities to make your visit even better!

→ Ultimate guide to Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, Malaysia

Schedule: Mon-Sun 8.30-17.30 , Price: free

2. View Penang from above and explore the nature at Penang Hill

Penang Hill, also known as Bukit Bendera, is a hilly forested area located west of George Town that has been developed into a hill station and a UNESCO recognized Biosphere Reserve. At 833m above sea level, Penang Hill is a perfect getaway with fantastic views of the island as well as a perfect way to get to know the local flora and fauna. For me, the best part of Penang Hill was The Habitat, a rainforest discovery center with treetop walkways that allow you to get close to nature and discover the area’s diverse flora and fauna. Put your explorer hat on and try to find the monkeys, birds, snakes and even flying squirrels! The whole area is very well maintained, easy to navigate and there are a lot of informative panels to get some info on the different species that inhabit the reserve.

There are other (rather touristy) things to do, such as eating at David Brown’s colonial restaurant and tea house or experience the Earthquake and Typhoon Pavilion. You can get there via the Penang Hill Funicular railway that runs from the foot of the hill. Alternatively and for those more adventurous, you can follow one of the scenic trails that will take you all the way up Penang Hill through nature and incredible views!

Since there are many things to do and different ways to get to Penang Hill, I suggest you have a look at this dedicated post on how to best enjoy Penang Hill:

→ Ultimate guide to Penang Hill in Penang, Malaysia

Schedule: Mon-Sun 6.30-22 (funicular operating hours), Price: “free”, although you’ll have to pay for the funicular and any attraction you plan to visit.

3. Indulge in Penang’s Hawker Food

While the personality of George Town is very characteristic of Penang, nothing defines it more than its mouthwatering hawker food. Penang’s street food comes from a melting pot (excuse the pun!) of cultures, which makes it a culinary gem perhaps only matched by Kuala Lumpur in the country. From delicious char kway teow, to flavourful assam laksa or the perfect snack in roti canai, Penang is a foodie paradise. This topic is way too big for a small section, so I worked on a series of posts about the best hawker food in Penang! They are collected here:

→ What and Where to Eat in Penang: Best Hawker Food in Malaysia’s culinary capital

4. Explore George Town’s Street Art

One of the most iconic features of Penang is its delightful street art covering many sites in the old quarter of George Town. The coolest thing of George Town’s street art is that it incorporates physical objects of the street, making it very interactive. You’ve probably seen the children reaching for the bao motorbike, or the children on a bike. You can even make it a game and try to collect them all! I’ll leave a map below with some of the most notable street art pieces.

And it doesn’t stop at graffiti! You can also find all sorts of installations around the city! Georgetown is a really fun place to just walk around and discover.

5. Discover Chinese and Peranakan Cultures at Penang’s Three Chinatowns

While Penang is currently prediminantly Chinese in heritage, there are three distinct areas that are considered Chinatown. This is due to the different waves of Chinese immigration from different regions of China. This created a more complex mesh of cultural heritage intertwined with the Malay, Hindu and European influences of the island. The Old Chinatown was formed in the first wave of Chinese immigration from the Hokkien region, while the New Chinatown that formed later was mainly from Guangdong and Hainan. The most unique neighbourhood, the Chinese Trade Neighbourhood, was formed in the reclaimed coastline as a place for the Hokkien businesses, and the Clan Jetties were built on the waterfront (see below). Read more about the three Chinatowns in George Town in the dedicated post below:

→ Discovering Penang: Quick guide to Chinatown in George Town, Malaysia

6. …and walk on the Chinese Clan Jetties in the Waterfront

Penang’s Clan Jetties are unique waterfront communities that originated in the 19th century. These are traditional Chinese villages built on stilts along the northeastern coast of George Town. Each jetty represents a distinct Chinese clan, with each clan having its own pier and closely-knit community. There are several jetties to explore, but the most famous one is the Chew Jetty, with an extensive area and filled with cafés and souvenir shops. The Lee Jetty is one of the most beautiful ones and Tang Jetty has a gorgeous idyllic view of the sea. Also, both Chew and Yeoh Jetties have Buddhist temples that you can visit.

7. Experience the colors, aromas and traditions in George Town’s Little India

Little India quarter in George Town is quite small but packed with flavour! Located along Lebuah Pasar and Lebuah Queen, this tiny neighbourhood is lively all day long. You’ll find plenty of shops, eateries and it is constantly decorated with colorful flower garlands and the smell of incense. One of the main places to visit in Little India, Penang is the Sri Mahamariamman temple, a Hindu temple built in 1833.

Your visit to Little India in Penang is the perfect moment to try out the many Indian dishes that can be found in George Town. The most local dish is the Nasi Kandar, an Indian Muslim dish originating from Penang and consisting on rice with an assortment of curries and other dishes to eat it with. Other versions include Nasi Dalca, served with lentils, or Nasi Tomato, a simplified and cheaper version If you have a sweet tooth, my favourite is the dosai, a crispy crepe made with rice and black gram flour complimented with chutneys and served in a banana leaf. If you ask me, the best Indian dish you can find in George Town is the roti canai, a flat bread served with different curries! But you’ll find every Indian staple in Little India, such as biryani, tandoori or samosas. Little India in Penang is also the best place to stock up on Indian spicies and curries, as well as to buy cheap clothes and jewelery (especially gold) and beautiful flower garlands.

8. Discover Georgetown’s Colonial Past

Although a few settlements existed in the island of Penang before, it was not until the founding of George Town by British explorer Francis light in the late 18th century. Due to its establishment as a free port and later with the law enforcement and infrastructure of the British Empire, Penang quickly rose as an important enclave for trade routes in Southeast Asia. The active harbor and the local spice production and tin trade made the city of George Town rise, eventually becoming the capital of the Birtish Straits Settlements. This caused an important influx of both British and Asian merchants and intellectuals. Many buildings remain from Penang’s British colonial times, but the most important representations of the era are Fort Cornwallis and both the Town Hall and City Hall. Discover the remnants of British colonial time in Penang in the dedicated post below:

→ Discovering Penang: Quick Guide to British Colonial George Town, Malaysia

9. Explore Penang National Park

Penang National Park covers around 1,200 hectares at the northwest corner of Penang Island. This protected area is home to a diverse range of habitats, from lush rainforests to pristine beaches. It is relatively well developed for a National Park, with canopy walkways, historical settlements and access by boat. Some of the most visited sites are Teluk Bahang and Pantai Kerachut, two white-sand beaches with crystal clear waters, which are a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, as well as a nice place to start some amazing nature walks along the coast. If you’d prefer something more atventurous, the Canopy Walkway would be a perfect activity for you, as you’ll get to be close to the park’s flora and fauna. In these elevated trails, you’ll get to meet beautiful butterflies and birds, including the hornbills.

Practical information: the entrance to the park is usually by boat through Teluk Bahang beach. You’ll have to register at the park’s office before accessing the trails. Make sure you bring enough water, sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as proper hiking shoes!

10. Relax on Batu Ferringhi Beach

Batu Ferringhi is a coastal neighbourhood and beach in the northern area of George Town. It has become the primary beach of the city, making it a very popular attraction for both locals and tourists. Besides the construction of large hotels, Batu Ferringhi’s popularity has developed the area into offering a wide array of water sports and its Night Market offers both shopping and street food.

11. Explore different religions in Penang’s many temples

As I’ve been mentioning several times in this article, the most interesting feature of Penang is how culturally diverse it is, with a special emphasis on its Chinese, Indian and Malay populations. This has caused a dramatic effect on the cultural tapestry of the island and its capital George Town. And this is never clearer than when looking at its wide array of temples, churches, shrines and mosques. Follow this itinerary of the most impressive temples in Penang in the dedicated post below:

→ Discovering Penang: route of the most impressive temples in Penang

How to Get to Penang

Despite being an island, Penang is very well connected to the rest of Malaysia and even internationally! You can access Penang by car, taxi or bus through the . Another option is to arrive by ferry, either from the nearby Butterworth, which only takes around 10 minutes, or from the island of Langkawi. The latter is a long and arduous trip, so it only happens during the dry season.

Lastly, Penang is home to its own international airport, so there are frequent flights from Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi or Ipoh, as well as some international destinations such as Bangkok and Singapore.

Where to Stay in Penang

Penang is a very well developed island and George Town is an important cultural and urban center, so there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. The best area to stay in Penang is definitely around the center of George Town. It is close to many of its main attractions and also well connected to other areas in the island that you may visit. If you prefer something more relaxing or you’re traveling as a family, Batu Ferringhi may cater better to your needs. If you’re in a honeymoon and are looking for more private or resort-style accommodations, then Tanjung Bungah beach is your area!

Budget

Looking for a cozy spot without breaking the bank? Chulia Mansion is your jackpot. Right at the heart of the action, this place is a steal for its central location. If you’re into that rustic charm and counting pennies, head over to The 80’s Guesthouse. Tucked away on the quieter side of Love Lane, it’s a budget-friendly quirky gem surrounded by popular restaurants and bars.

Mid-range

If you won’t sacrifice comfort but don’t want to spend all your hard earned money, Reunion Carnarvon is a solid choice. This boutique hotel offers small but comfortable and beautiful rooms very close to all of George Town’s attractions but with some privacy, and right next to some of the city’s best eateries!Another popular option is Campbell House, an old Chinese shophouse turned boutique hotel.

Muntri Grove Hotel and its sister Muntri Mews are other gems in the mid-range category. Think heritage vibes, spacious rooms, and a rooftop pool that’s perfect for lazy afternoons. If you can splurge a bit more, check out Areca Hotel Penang, offering 48 rooms accross 12 Chinese shophouses, all beautifully decorated.

Luxury

For luxury, Edison George Town is a stunner, an actual colonial mansion turned into a jaw-dropping stay. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion Hotel, is perfect for those looking to stay in a cultural heritage building with all the luxury it entails! And then there’s Eastern & Oriental Hotel, where colonial style meets dreamy location.

For a beach vacation, head to Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang or Lone Pine in Batu Ferringhi. Private villas, epic pools, spas to die for, and a fitness center that might just inspire you to exercise on vacation.

Closing Statement

Penang, with its captivating blend of cultural heritage, mouthwatering cuisine, and stunning landscapes, invites you to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery. Immerse yourself in the vibrant streets of Georgetown, savor the flavors of the hawker stalls, and relax on pristine beaches. Plan your trip to Penang and unlock the treasures that make this destination an unforgettable cultural and gastronomic experience. I hope this guide helped you plan what to do in Penang.

Klook.com

Don’t forget to read these articles to make your stay in Penang even richer!

What and Where to Eat in Penang: Best Hawker Food in Malaysia’s culinary capital

Ultimate guide to Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, Malaysia

Ultimate guide to Penang Hill in Penang, Malaysia

Discovering Penang: Quick guide to Chinatown in George Town, Malaysia

If you’re visiting Malaysia, you’ll probably find these useful:

Kuala Lumpur: discovering the Malaysian capital

Melaka, Malaysia: a Journey through Cultural Heritage

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia: where wild and tamed nature meet

Langkawi, Malaysia’s adventure island

Ultimate 3 Weeks Malaysia Itinerary for First Timers

PIN ME: