The 11 things to do in Penang

Going to Malaysia was just a dream a few years ago, and your departure is imminent? Discover our top 11 things to do in Penang!

Small island located on the west coast of Malaysia, Penang is the island part of the homonymous state, north of the Malay Peninsula. The island is separated from the Asian continent by two bridges shaking the Penang Strait . Little known to travellers in Asia, Penang lives in the shadow of Bangkok , islands of the Gulf of Thailand, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur . Yet the island is becoming increasingly known and has many charms to offer to its guests: it does not lack activities to do. Visiting Penang is a must for anyone who goes to Malaysia. Peated by 750,000 people, the density is rather high and urban planning focuses on the eastern coast of the island.

You know what to do in Penang? We have compiled a list of things that cannot be done and to see by going to Penang.

1. The historic centre of George Town

According to some, the city George Town lack of interest. Yet the historical heritage it contains is worth a visit. The historic centre, with its monuments, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Historical and cultural heritage, but also culinary: Penang is the gourmet capital of Malaysia. The buildings of the old city offer a unique blend of colonial architecture and Chinese style. It is also a very lively neighborhood to visit Penang.

2. The graffiti of George Town

George Town's city centre is a very artistic and very famous neighbourhood for its street art and graffiti, making Penang an open-air "city-galerie". The municipality appealed to local artists to adorn its walls.

As a result, countless works and frescoes can be contemplated at random from the streets, at the same time the facades: from what to delight by admiring the walls and making a graffiti hunt at every alley!

3. Gurney Drive

Located on the seafront in Penang City, Gurney Drive is a very popular and frequented walk of the premises. The avenue is also the second business centre of George Town, where high buildings pushed the beach. There are many shops and street restaurants where to eat local dishes for cheap, as well as many hotels where to stay.

4. Sun Yat-Sen Museum

The Sun Yat-sen Penang Museum , located in the old town of George Town, is dedicated to Sun Yat-Sen (1866-1925), the famous Chinese revolutionary who founded the Republic of China in 1912, considered to be "the founding father of modern China". The man himself lived there and it was the house where he developed many strategies to bring down the Qing Dynasty from 1910.

5. The manor of Cheong Fatt Tze

Located on Leith Street in George Town, Cheong Fatt Tze manor is emblematic of the city and must for anyone who comes to visit Penang: its indigo blue colors will not leave anyone indifferent, it is sometimes called the “blue manor”.

Inscribed to UNESCO’s World Heritage, it is now a luxury hotel to stay in Penang. You can visit it without staying there, paying a guided tour. A place full of history which was also the place of filming many films, like the feature film Indochina.

6. The Wat Chaiyamangkalaram

Famous Buddhist temple located in George Town, not far from the Gurney Drive, the wat Chaiyamangkalaram houses one of the longest statues of the Buddha lying in the world as well as many statues of mythical creatures. The building was built in 1845 on a plot granted by Queen Victoria to a Siamese community. The Buddha statue is 33 metres long, making it the third longest in the world.

7. The Tower of Queen Victoria’s Clock

The Tour de l’Horloge – also called Jubilee Clock Tower – was built in honour of Queen Victoria in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee at the 60th anniversary of her reign (1837-1901). It’s a Moorish style tower located at the intersection of Light Street and Beach Street, which has been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage since 2008.

8. The Botanical Gardens of Penang

Penang has many lungs of greenery including botanical gardens. They are also called " waterfall gardens “, and are located on Jalan Air Terjun, west of George Town. Swim in an equatorial jungle on the paths and stairs to reach the botanical garden, founded in 1884, where you can contemplate many plant species and where you can humulate their multiple scents.

9. The Kek Lok Temple If

Located on the hillside on the road leading to the water plan of Ayer Itam in the southwest of George Town, Kek Lok temple is to see if you only know what to do in Penang.

Known as “the temple of supreme happiness”, the building is considered the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. The Taoist monks make it a privileged place of retreat and meditation. Dressed on seven floors, the pagoda offers a breathtaking view of Penang by rising up to its pinnacle. Built between 1890 and 1905, the best time to visit the temple is Chinese New Year.

10. Penang National Park

What to do in Penang when we saw all the temples? Go for it Penang National Park , west of the island, can be an idea.

The park extends over 1,213 hectares between sea and land, and contains many plant and animal species. The area is a protected nature reserve where many geological, archaeological, historical and ethnological research is carried out. In addition, the beach Monkey Beach will give the opportunity to swim after the hike.

11. Ride to Penang Hill

Penang Hill is a mountain resort located 6 kilometres west of George Town, in the centre of the island. What do we do in Penang when we love nature? Take height by a funicular of the same name ( Penang Hill ), to climb to 900 meters above sea level and enjoy a superb view of the city and the tropical jungle.

How to get to Penang?

To get to Penang, there are several options depending on your departure point. We have listed some examples of typical cases:

• The plane

Penang International Airport is located southeast of the island in Bayan Lepas (14 kilometres from George Town). Moreover, it will be cheap to get there thanks to the low-cost AirAsia and Firefly companies. At the departure of France, you should know that there is no direct flight to Penang: because of two ports of call on average, you have about 20 hours of flight. Whatever your city of departure, don’t hesitate to take a look at our partner’s website Ulysses , Compare specialized in flights at the best prices.

• The boat

A ferry provides access to Penang from the Langkawi archipelago in less than 3 hours. Due to 14 per week, the crossings are frequent and therefore provide a safe and reliable way of access to Penang.

• The bus

This is a very often chosen option, especially if you leave Kuala Lumpur , the capital: from here, several buses connect to Penang.

Where to stay in Penang?

Accommodation solutions are many and cheap in Penang, as often in South-East Asia: hotels, resorts and hostels, guesthouses and apartments in the home. We can stay in George Town, Penang, Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang for the nearest cities to visit Penang.

If you opt for a hotel, go to this Compare hotels which will offer you the best offers adapted to your criteria. For more authentic housing, why not turn to the rental platform Airbnb ? Specialist in local accommodation, the site offers a wide choice of holiday homes and other apartments in Penang.