Top Things to Do in Georgetown Penang - Explore the Vibrant Heart of Penang

Georgetown’s street art scene is one of the biggest draws for tourists. The planning and organising were all done by the local council, meaning the art scene oozes local flavours and has elements of culture and history. Walk down the narrow alleyways lined with Chinese shophouses, and you’ll find plenty of artworks you want to photograph. The street art in the town gained worldwide attention for Ernest Zacharevic's murals during the 2012 George Town Festival. His works, such as Little Children on a Bicycle and a Boy on a Motorbike are among the most iconic. If you’re interested in exploring the art scene to the fullest, several guided tours are available. These tours are a great way to locate these murals and delve into the stories that inspired them.

Another highlight of Georgetown is its street food. It’s vibrant and diverse and keeps tourists coming back to the town. The food scene is a reflection of the town’s diverse culture comprising Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. Some of the must-try dishes include Char Kway Teow, Penang Laksa, Nasi Kandar, and Satay. The heart of the street food scene here is in its hawker centres. These places are packed with locals at any given time. Street food is affordable and delicious. The humble food stalls in Georgetown offer a rare opportunity to mingle with locals and experience local culture first-hand. Beyond hawker centres, the town is also home to a number of night markets selling food, artisan goods, and clothing items. To get to these hawker centres and street markets, stay at a hotel in Penang Georgetown within close proximity. You have several options, including Citadines Connect Georgetown Penang.

One of the most important Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si Temple is located in Air Itam, Penang. Locally, it’s also known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss. Buddhists from Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines pour into Penang to visit this tranquil Buddhist site. One of the reasons why this temple is famous is its architectural style; it’s a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese styles, which reflects the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist traditions. There’s also a seven-story pagoda, and a pond full of turtles. Plus, the temple hosts vibrant festivals all throughout the year.

Also known as the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the Blue Mansion is a heritage building in Georgetown. Its Indigo-blue colour is a striking feature, and the blend of Western and Eastern architectural styles is another highlight. The mansion was built in the 19th century, making it one of the oldest buildings in Penang. In the 1990s, the building went through several restorations and was awarded several recognitions and awards, including one from UNESCO. The Blue Mansion is open to the public and offers several guided tours. It’s also a boutique hotel where you can stay for a few days for an immersive experience.

Standing on the northern tip of the island, Fort Cornwallis is a star-shaped structure that you can’t miss. As it happens, it’s the largest fort in Malaysia. It was built by the British in the 18th century and was named after Charles Cornwallis, the governor at the time. The fort has a typical star shape, which was common for the European forts built at the time. Today, Fort Cornwallis is a popular tourist attraction that houses an open-air amphitheatre, a souvenir shop, and a café. It also serves as the venue for various cultural events.

Commonly referred to as George Town's Chinatown, Chinatown in Penang is a culturally rich region you must visit. Dating back to the 19th century, this Chinatown is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia. The streets are lined with Chinese shophouses adorned with traits of Chinese architecture. Here, traditional customs and rituals are still alive, and they become even more prominent during cultural festivals like the Chinese New Year.