Places of interest in Penang

Tourist Attractions in Penang (2024)

Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh)

Lebuh Acheh, 10300 George Town, Penang. (Acheen Street)

Acheen Street Mosque
Acheen Street Mosque

Acheen Street Mosque, also known as Masjid Melayu Leboh Aceh, was established in 1808. This mosque was commissioned by an influential wealthy merchant named Tengku Said Husin Alaidin. Tengku Said hailed from Aceh, Indonesia. In the past, the area surrounding the mosque served as a gathering place for prospective Hajj pilgrims before their departure to the holy land. Additionally, the mosque served as a hub for spice trade. Tengku Said Husin Alaidin passed away around 1840 and was laid to rest behind the mosque.

Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple)

Jalan Kebun Bunga,10350 George Town, Penang.

The Balathandayuthapani Temple, also known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan and is considered the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India. It is built in the Dravidian style that is almost identical to ancient temples in South India. The temple grounds cover 70,000 square feet. It serves as a central hub during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam and has the capacity to accommodate several thousand visitors during Thaipusam celebrations.

Batik Painting Museum

Lebuh Armenian, 10300 George Town, Penang. (Armenian Street)

The museum features around 80 batik paintings by over 25 artists, including works by Chuah Thean Teng, a renowned Malaysian batik artist. The collection includes early works from the 1950s, offering a comprehensive view of the art’s evolution. An international section showcases batik works from artists in China, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Cheah Kongsi

Lebuh Armenian, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Armenian Street)

Cheah Kongsi
Cheah Kongsi

The Cheah Kongsi is the clanhouse of the Penang Chinese community’s Cheah clan, originating from the Cheang Chew Prefecture in Fujian Province, China. It served as a multifunctional community hub for the Cheah clan in Penang, functioning as a place of worship, hosting business meetings, and providing assistance to newly arrived clan members from China.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion)

Lebuh Leith, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Leith Street)

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as The Blue Mansion, is a 38-room house built by Chinese merchant Cheong Fatt Tze between 1897 and 1904. It features traditional Chinese architecture with some European influences. Today, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion operates as a boutique hotel and museum.

Church of the Assumption

Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Farquhar Street)

The Church of the Assumption is a Catholic church, established shortly after Captain Francis Light founded the settlement of Penang in the year 1786. The initial structure was a wooden chapel at another location, built by the first Catholic community in Penang, led by Bishop Arnold Garnault. Over time, the community grew, leading to the construction of the church at its current location between 1860 and 1861.

Clan Jetties

Jalan Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Penang. (Weld Quay Road)

Penang Clan Jetties Location Map
Penang Clan Jetties Location Map

These are water villages along the coastline of George Town, with wooden houses built above the sea on stilts and connected by wooden walkways. Originally, there were nine Chinese clan villages; however, two have been demolished. The remaining seven are the Ong, Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee, New (Mixed Clan) and Yeoh jetties.

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

Lorong Burma, 10250 George Town, Penang.

This Buddhist temple reflects the historical presence of the Burmese community in Penang, dating back to the late 18th century when they settled in the area. It features elaborate wood carvings, panel paintings, and several large Buddha statues.

Entopia (Penang Butterfly Farm)

Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang. (Teluk Bahang Road)

Entopia began as a butterfly farm and has since expanded to more than triple its original size. It is now teeming with live butterflies, insects, and reptiles. Entopia showcases over 150 species of fauna and more than 200 species of flora throughout its entire exhibition.

Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Im Teng)

Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Pitt Street)

Goddess of Mercy Temple
Goddess of Mercy Temple

The Goddess of Mercy Temple was built in the year 1728 and is a multi-deity temple. Its main deity is the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin. In addition to Guan Yin, the temple also houses shrines for other deities, such as Guan Yu and Tua Pek Kong.

Hainan Association & Temple

Lebuh Muntri,10200 George Town, Penang. (Muntri Street)

Established in 1866 by Chinese immigrants from Hainan Island, this temple is dedicated to Mazu, the deity of seafarers. The temple, which was once located on Church Street, was relocated to its current site on Muntri Street in 1895.

Han Jiang Teochew Ancestral Temple

Lebuh Chulia, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Chulia Street)

Originating from the Chaoshan region in Guangdong Province, China, the Teochews built the Han Jiang Teochew Ancestral Temple, which was completed in 1870. Since then, the temple has undergone three restorations. In recognition of its architecture and cultural significance, UNESCO awarded the temple the Asia-Pacific Award in 2006.

Kapitan Keling Mosque (Masjid Kapitan Keling)

Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Pitt Street)

Kapitan Keling Mosque
Kapitan Keling Mosque

This is an Indian Muslim mosque built during the early 19th century by the Indian Muslim community in Penang, led by their leader, Kapitan Caudeer Mohuddeen. In the olden days, a community leader in Penang was called a Kapitan, and ‘Keling’ refers to someone who originates from South India.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Jalan Balik Pulau, 11500 Ayer Itam, Penang. (Balik Pulau Road)

Kek Lok Si Temple, established in 1891, is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Perched on a hill, it offers stunning views and a serene atmosphere. Its main attraction, the seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, features numerous statues of Buddha and intricate architectural details.

Khoo Kongsi

Lebuh Cannon, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Cannon Street)

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Made In Penang Interactive Museum

Jalan Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Penang. (Weld Quay Road)

Penang Batik Factory

Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Teluk Bahang, Penang. (Teluk Bahang Road)

Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

Air Itam, Penang.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Lebuh Gereja, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Church Street)

Sri Mahamariamman Temple (Queen Street Indian Temple)

Lebuh Queen, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Queen Street)

Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Sri Mahamariamman Temple

The Sri Mahamariamman Temple, also known as the Queen Street Indian Temple, is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang It was built in 1833 and is located in the Little India district of George Town, Penang’s capital city. The temple features impressive sculptures and architecture, including a 23.5-foot tall sculptured tower at the entrance, and statues of Hindu gods and goddesses. The interior is also heavily decorated with sculptures.

St. George’s Anglican Church

Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Farquhar Street)

Straits and Oriental Museum

Lorong Stewart, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Stewart Lane)

Sun Yat-sen Museum

Lebuh Armenian, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Armenian Street)

Tropical Fruit Farm

Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Teluk Bahang, Penang. (Teluk Bahang Road)

Tropical Spice Garden

Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Teluk Bahang, Penang. (Teluk Bahang Road)

Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple

Lorong Burma, 10250 George Town, Penang. (Burma Lane)

Wonderfood Museum

Lebuh Pantai, 10300 Georgetown, Penang. (Beach Street)

Yap Kongsi | Yap Temple

Lebuh Armenian, 10200 George Town, Penang. (Armenian Street)

Yap Kongsi | Yap Temple
Yap Kongsi | Yap Temple