Acheen St Mosque

Also known as Masjid Melayu, the mosque was built by a wealthy Arab trader in 1820. It features a small window halfway up the minaret which is said to have originally been a hole made by cannonball fired during the 1867 triad riots.

Botanical Gardens

Created in 1884 by the British, the Penang Botanical Gardens taking up 30 hectares. This picturesque garden has plenty of lush green tropical plants and some colourful examples of Penangs native flora. The garden also features a hundred metres high waterfall. The star attraction is the large number of macaque monkeys that greet visitors from the entrance right to the heart of the garden.

Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden

A short drive away from the Penang Airport at Balik Pulau is the Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden. A wide variety of colourful orchids and hibiscus plants can be seen here. There is also a Reptile House in the grounds.

Butterfly Farm

Located at Teluk Bahang, the farm is the world’s first tropical live butterfly exhibition and houses over 400 species of butterflies and local insects in their natural habitat. There are about 4,000 to 5,000 live butterflies fluttering about under a huge enclosed net. The farm also serves as display and breeding area complete with a souvenir shop and information centre. There is a lily pond, artificial waterfalls and a rock garden on the premises.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Penangs first high profile private restoration project. The magic of the Mansion touches all who have worked on it or visited it. Laid out according to geomantic principles, the Chinese courtyard Mansion encompasses 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases, 220 windows and is truly one of the treasures of Georgetown.

Chinatown

Chinatown on the island stretches from Weld Quay to Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh Muntri, Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh King. Chinatown is so large and well-preserved that it provides a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant settlers who came here in the 1800s. Visitors will be intrigued by the many clanhouses, shophouses and temples found along these streets, which reflect the heritage left behind.

City Hall, Esplanade

Built in 1880s, this stately colonial building is a fine example of British palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.

Clock Tower, Pesiaran King Edward

Towering 60 feet high, the clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Dharmikarama Burmese Temple

A pair of elephants guard the entrance to this Burmese temple. Within the pagoda grounds is a Boddhi tree and a wishing pond. It is the scene of many festivities during the water festival in April.

Forest Recreational Park

The diehard nature lovers will find delight in the recreational forests of Teluk Bahang, Sungai Tukun and Pantai Keracut on the island and Bukit Mertajam on the mainland. There is a bewildering range of flowering plants and numerous species of insects, exotic birds, butterflies, snakes and lizards. Expect to find jungle tracks that lead to the heart of the forest with camping sites along the way.

Fort Cornwallis, Padang Kota Lama

The fort was built on the site of Francis Light’s historic landing in 1786. Originally a wooden stockade, it was replaced by a concrete structure built by convict labor, in 1804. Today, an open-air amphitheater, a history gallery and a handicraft and souvenir centre occupies the interior. It houses the famous Dutch cannon presented to
The Sultan of Johor by the Dutch and which finally found its way to Penang after being looted by the Portuguese.

Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng Temple)

One of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang, the temple was built in 1800 by early immigrant settlers from China. The building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and stone sculptured lions which are said to be its guardians. Devotees flock to the temple all year round especially during the three anniversaries of Kuan Yin which are on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar months.

Kampung Seronok

Kampung Seronok at Batu Maung is an open-concept kampung which offers the visitors a taste of traditional Penang island kampong life. Visitors are free to walk around the place and get an insight into village economic activities and pastimes. Visitors can also participate in the cultural performances and traditional crafts.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Penang’s first Indian Muslim settlers (East India Company troops) built this mosque at the junction of Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Buckingham. The mosque is features an ocher yellow façade and dome-shaped minaret reflecting Moorish Islamic influence.

Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam

One of the finest Buddist temples in South East Asia, the Kek Lok Si temple stands majestically on a hill in Ayer Itam. Built in tiers, the temple culminates with the beautifully crafted “Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas?Taking more than 20 years to build, the temple is set against beautiful scenic surroundings. It features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful sculptures.

Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon

The elaborate Khoo Kongsi is by far the grandest on the island. The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as a clan-house for members of the Khoo family. The building features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.

KOMTAR, Jalan Penang

The Tun Abdul Razak Complex or KOMTAR, a prominent Penang landmark, houses Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants. Its 65-storey tower dominates the city’s skyline. The complex also contains theatres, squash courts and a geodesic dome which serves as a multipurpose hall. The 55th floor offers a panoramic view of the city and on clear days, the distant Gurung Jerai of Kedah Peak is visible on the mainland.

P. Ramlee Birth Place and Gallery

Some of the memorabilia of Malaysia’s most ppopular Malay artiste P. Ramlee can be seen in his childhood home located on Jalan P. Ramlee. There are photographs chronicling his years in the Malay film industry as an actor, singer, director and producer. There are also photographs of his early life in Penang where he grew up. The wooden house was built in 1926 by his father and an uncle.

Penang Hill

Malaysia’s first hill station, Penang Hill is 830 metres above sea level, visitors can ascend to the top by either hiking up or travelling in the funicular railway which has been operational since 1922. Apart from the cool, refreshing climate and the fantastic view at the summit, visitors can also view the picturesque bungalows, a beautiful flower garden and a bird park.

Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Lebuh Farquhar

Built in 1821, the Museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, charts and other historical relics. Other exhibits include Malay daggers (Keris), Chinese furniture, embroidery and paintings of old Penang.
The Art Gallery on the first floor displays the works of local artists and is the venue for special exhibitions. The statue of Francis Light graces the grounds in front of the building.

Snake Temple

Built in 1850 and dedicated to the deity, Chor Soo Kong, the temple is located 3.2km from the Penang International Airport. It is a sanctuary for pit-vipers said to be the ‘servants?of the deity. These venomous snakes, seen coiled round the pillars, beams and potted plants within the temple are believed to be rendered harmless by the smoke of the burning incense.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Built in 1883, this Hindu temple features fascinating sculptures of god and goddesses over its main entrance and on its façade. Housed within its ornately decorated interior is the priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The statue figures prominently in the annual Thaipusam festival when it is borne on a silver chariot through the city streets to the temple at Jalan Waterfall.

St George Church, Lebuh Farquhur

Built with convict labor in 1818, it is one of the oldest landmarks in the city. The entrance of this stately Anglican Church named after the patron saint of England, features a memorial canopy dedicated to Captain Francis Light.

State Mosque, Jalan Masjid Negeri

The State Mosque features elegant modern architecture and took four years to complete. It can accommodate 5,000 worshippers for congregational prayers. Permission to enter must be obtained from the State Religious Department, Lebuh Pantai.

The Streets of George Town

George Town on the north-east part of the island and Penang’s colourful, bustling capital, still retains a strong Chinese flavour. For the best of the George Town, walk along Love Lane, Pitt Street, King Street and Carnarvon Street. Certain streets like Chulia Street and Campbell Street are best viewed in the evening when they burst to life with hawker stalls and nighttime activities. The southern end of Penang Street offers you a taste of little India. There are several banana leaf rice restaurants and a Hindu temple. For the best of colonial architecture, see Beach Street and Light Street, where financial institutions and chambers of the State Assembly are housed.

Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, Lorong Burma

A Buddhist temple of Thai architecture, it houses a 33-metre gold-plated reclining Buddha said to be one of the longest in the world. The niches behind the statue house urns containing the ashes of devotees.