We've hand-picked the best things to do in Penang.
More attractions in Kuala Lumpur, and Langkawi.
8 Attractions in Penang:
Modern HistoryFree
George Town UNESCO Heritage Site
A fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British Colonial architectural styles resulting in an unconventional yet charming urban formation. George Town's rich cultural diversity saw it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Most recently, a dynamic street art scene has burst into George Town. Some wall murals, like Ernest Zacharevic’s "Boy on Chair", provide interactive settings for visitors to become part of the picture and pose beside painted characters.
Overlook$$$$$
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
Tropical rainforest providing cool breeze, relaxing nature vibes, and panoramic views over Penang. Attractions on top of the hill include a mosque, Hindu temple, restaurants, nature trails, monkeys, a treetop canopy walk, landscaped gardens, playgrounds, and accommodation. Reachable via funicular from the Penang Hill office or by hiking or 4x4 drive from the Penang Botanical Gardens.
WaterfrontFree
Weld Quay Clan Jetties
A series of wooden jetties like fingers reaching into the sea. Lined with modest houses, shops, and cafes, the stilted villages provide a glimpse into Penang's Chinese community of yesteryear. Each 100-year-old jetty belongs to a Chinese family or "clan" who originally moved to Penang to construct Weld Quay, a large port required tor the island’s booming economy.
Garden$$$$$
Tropical Spice Garden
A tribute to Penang's history on the colonial spice trade route between Europe and India, the Tropical Spice Garden showcases a living collection of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and spices that naturally grow in Malaysia and made the island of Penang highly coveted during the 18th and 19th centuries.
MarketFree
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
A classic night market selling clothing, souvenirs, and locally handmade items. Don’t pay the first price, vendors expect to be haggled with so but bring your best bargaining skills.
GardenFree
Penang Botanic Gardens
A garden oasis offering a serene slice of Penang's natural habitat fused with imported plant species in landscaped gardens. Prominent features include Pinang palms (from which Penang island received its name), a cannonball tree, an orchid garden, fern house, cactus house, lily pond, Japanese garden, and herb garden.
ReligiousFree
Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia and the center of Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang, Kek Lok Si temple is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. The complex contains several buildings and courtyards worth exploring, the most significant being a 36.5-metre (120 feet) high statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, and 7-story pagoda housing 10,000 Buddha statues. Open hours extend during Chinese New Year, when visitors can view the temple adorned with over 200,000 fairy lights and 20,000 Chinese lanterns.
GardenFree
