The Ultimate Guide TO Georgetown, Penang 2023
Introduction
You’ve decided to visit Georgetown, the capital city of Penang, and you’re wondering what’s best to see and do. Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, I’ll give you the inside scoop on everything from where to eat to where to stay. I’ll also tell you how to get around, and share some tips for making the most of your visit. So sit back, relax, and let me show you around one of my favourite cities in Southeast Asia.
A Little Bit About Georgetown, Penang
Georgetown is a city located in the state of Penang, Malaysia. The city is best known for its colonial history, as it was a former British colony. Georgetown is also home to a number of cool hill stations and has some of the best food in Malaysia.
The city has a population of approximately 700,000 people and is made up of a number of different ethnicities, including Chinese, Indian, Malay, and more.
What to See and Do in Georgetown, Penang
There’s plenty to see and do in Georgetown, Penang! The city is filled with old buildings, botanical gardens, and great restaurants.
Some of the must-see attractions include the Blue Mansion, Penang Hill and Hin Bus Depot. For those who love nature, there’s also the Penang National Park and the Butterfly Farm.
And of course, no visit to Georgetown would be complete without sampling the local food! There are plenty of great restaurants to choose from, serving everything from traditional Malaysian cuisine to international dishes.
Georgetown Highlights
Chinese Clan Jetties:
The Chinese Clan Jetties are floating villages supported by stilts over the water. In the 19th century, Chinese Immigrants came to Penang and set up these villages. There are now 6 clan jetties, each one belongs and is named after a different clan family. Tourists are welcome to visit the jetties and experience these small traditional Chinese villages.
The most popular jetty to visit is Chew Jetty, there are little souvenir shops here as you walk along the jetty as well as cool street art. I recommend visiting at sunset and taking a moment to sit at the end of the jetty to admire the view and think about the culture and history of this place. After sunset, you can get some great pictures of the lights and atmosphere along the jetty.
The clan jetties retain traditional Chinese culture and customs today, with each jetty having its own temple.
Be wary that people still live here so make sure to respect their privacy and their homes.
Opening Hours: 24/7
Ticket Price: Free entry
Green Mansion
Chung Keng Quee, one of the wealthiest men in Penang in the late 19th century, commissioned the construction of the mansion in the 1890s. He was named Capitan China by the British in 1877 and was a millionaire philanthropist and innovator in tin mining.
Chung Keng Quee died in 1901. The mansion was passed down to his descendants but eventually became derelict before being bought by a property developer in the 1990s, who painted it the famous green colour we see today.
Since then it has become a museum dedicated to Penang’s Peranakan culture and history, with over 1,000 Peranakan artefacts on display inside.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Ticket Price- £4 entry fee
Tours: Daily guided tours are available.
Address: 29, Church St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
ChinaHouse
ChinaHouse offers an eclectic mix of heritage, great food, art, outdoor space and shops with local products. It is made up of three heritage buildings connected by an outdoor courtyard and has been split into 14 different sections. At ChinaHouse you can enjoy great coffee and brunch at Kopi C cafe, Beach Street Bakery next to it features the most delicious cakes too!
ChinaHouse is also home to a library, various art galleries and restaurants. There are also a couple of local shops selling handmade natural products, such as Bonton Shop 2, a little jewellery shop that holds monthly jewellery exhibitions.
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 1am
Ticket Price: Free to enter
Address: 153 & 155 Beach Street, 183B Victoria Street, 10300 George Town, Penang
The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)
Cheong Fatt Tze was a Chinese philanthropist, politician and industrialist in the 19th century, he built The Blue Mansion to use as his personal residence in Penang. When he died, the mansion was passed down to his descendants. Later the mansion was bought by a group of individuals in Penang in order to save it from development and possible demolition. The Blue Mansion is now a museum as well as boasting 18 luxury hotel rooms.
You can stay at the Blue Mansion in one of its suites and experience a unique blend of local Penang heritage and luxury. The Blue Mansion itself is totally unique and you will learn so much if you go on one of the daily tours. There is also a souvenir shop where you can buy art, books and local products from Penang.
Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm daily.
Ticket Price: £5 entry fee.
Tours: There are two tours daily at 11 am and 2 pm, each tour takes 45 minutes.
Address: 14, Leith Street 10200 Penang, Malaysia
Penang Hill
Penang Hill serves as a viewpoint to see fabulous views over Penang. To get to Penang hill I recommend getting a Grab Taxi and then to reach the top of the hill, take the funicular.
At the top of the hill you can find:
- Penang Hill Gallery – an information and education centre.
- The Habitat at Penang Hill – a complete educational Malaysian rainforest experience.
- Love Lock – a lover’s promenade where visitors may purchase padlocks, decorate them and secure them along the fence.
- There is a stunning Hindu temple dedicated to the God of War at the peak.
- There are a variety of eateries available, from upmarket fine dining to fast food and street food options.
I recommend visiting Penang Hill in the late afternoon and staying until dark, this way you get to enjoy the views both in the daylight and at night. The last funicular down the hill is at 10 pm.
Opening Hours: Ticketing counters are open daily from 6.15am to 7.45pm while the funicular service runs from 6.30am to 10.00pm (last trip from the Upper Station to the Lower Station).
Ticket Price: £6 for per person for a return ticket on the funicular.
Hin Bus Depot
The Hin Bus Depot is an old bus depot that has been transformed into a space for indoor and outdoor art galleries, shops and a weekend market.
It is best to go on the weekends as they have a weekend market every Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 5pm. during the week it’s empty and only has the permanent cafes and shops open.
At the weekend market there is live music, an art gallery, independent local stalls selling handmade goods and plenty of healthy options for food and drinks, think keto cinnamon rolls, kombucha and freshly squeezed fruit juices.
Opening Hours: (Gallery) Monday – Friday: 12pm – 8pm, Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 8pm. Outlet hours may differ.
Weekend Market: Saturday and Sunday 11am – 5pm.
Ticket Price: Free to enter
Address: Hin Bus Depot, 31A Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang.
Little India
Little India is an ethnic Indian area of Penang, it’s one of the busiest and most charming areas in Georgetown. Here your senses will be overwhelmed by booming Bollywood music, scents of delicious Indian cuisine and sights of beautifully colourful garlands and local stalls.
I recommend trying Penang’s Famous Samosas, they are crispy on the outside and filled with delicious meats inside. Simply stroll around and take in the vibe of the area, shop for gold jewellery or trinkets and try some of the delicious food on offer. I promise you won’t be disappointed by your trip to Little India in Georgetown!
Famous Samosas Address: 45, Lebuh Queen, George Town, Penang Island 10200 Malaysia
Street Art
Georgetown is famous for its fabulous street art! You will see something new around every corner. Make sure to look out for it during your trip to Penang!
Best Eats in Georgetown, Penang
If you’re looking for a foodie paradise, look no further than Georgetown, Penang. This city is known for its street food stalls and family-owned eateries, so you’ll definitely be able to find a good meal here.
Some of the dishes you should try while you’re in town are Asam laksa (a sour and spicy soup), Hokkien mee (fried noodles), and nasi kandar (a rice dish with various types of meat and vegetables). And of course, no trip to Georgetown would be complete without trying some of the city’s famous street food.
A great place to try a range of Malaysian dishes, as well as other Asian cuisines, is The Jetty Food Court.
Other recommendations:
Where to Stay in Georgetown, Penang
There are many accommodation options in Georgetown, such as guesthouses, hostels, Airbnbs, and more. You’ll be able to find a place to stay that suits your budget and needs.
I stayed in a budget hotel called Sim City Stay which was very affordable and in a great location within walking distance of the main attractions in Georgetown.
I personally like to use Booking.com to find the best deals on hotel stays when I’m travelling.
Other good hotel options include:
How to Get Around in Georgetown, Penang
The easiest way to get around in Georgetown is on foot. The city is small and compact, and most of the attractions are within walking distance of each other. However, keep your wits about you because some of the roads don’t have pedestrian walkways and the traffic is usually hectic!
If you don’t feel like walking, you can take a trishaw (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Trishaws are a fun way to see the city, and they’re not too expensive. If you want to go further afield, you can take a bus or a taxi.
I personally recommend using Grab Taxi, you can download the app and then book a taxi to your desired destination, they are cheap and affordable but prices can rise a little during peak times.
Tips for Visiting Georgetown, Penang
Here are a few tips for visiting Georgetown, Penang:
- Georgetown is a great place to try different types of street food. Be adventurous and try something new!
- If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of guesthouses and hostels in the city centre.
- When visiting temples make sure to dress modestly and cover your knees and your shoulders.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide to Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. If you have any other tips or advice for visitors, please share them in the comments below.
And don’t forget to check out my other travel guides for more amazing places to visit around the world.
If you have any questions or suggestions please contact me via email tianitravels@gmail.com or via social media.
