George Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. This bustling capital has over 200 years of history and culture, which can be best observe in its historic core. Buildings of historical and architechtural interest as well as cultural practices that have been handed down from the previous generations give George Town a uniqueness that is rarely found elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
State capital Georgetown is the premier port city in northern Malaysia. Within the town, one can still see many historic buildings as well as cultural relics.
The State Museum & Art Gallery in Farquhar Street is a perfect starting point to many of the town’s heritage sites. Built in 1821, the museum houses a rich collection of old photographs, maps and relics. The neighbouring St George’s Cathedral constructed in 1818, is the oldest in town.
The Fort Cornwallis in Light Street is yet another famous historic landmark. Erected in 1804, the site was the exact location where Captain Francis Light first set his feet on the island. Inside the fort are an amphitheatre, a mini museum and a souvenir shop.
Located opposite Fort Cornwallis, the 120-year old City Hall was the seat of local administration in the olden days
There are two renowned mosques in Georgetown, namely Kapitan Kling Mosque in Pitt Street and Acheen Street Mosque. The Kapitan Kling Mosque was erected by Indian Muslim Caudeer Mohoudeen in early 19th century while the Acheen Street Mosque was built on a land donated by an Achenese Sheriff Tengku Syed Hussain Aidid.
Penang has a fair share of Buddhist temples. The Wat Chayamangkalaram off Burmah Road is a Thai-style Buddhist temple famous for its 33-metre long gold-plated reclining Buddha said to be the third largest in the world.
The Kek Lok Si Temple at Ayer Itam is reputedly one of the biggest in South East Asia. The structure boasts a rich blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese Buddhist architectural styles. Built in 1890, the temple houses a 7-tier 30-metre tall pagoda.
The Goddess of Mercy Temple in Pitt Street dating 200 years back is the oldest Chinese temple in Georgetown.
Not too far from the international airport, the Snake Temple is the only one of its kind in the world where visitors can see poisonous snakes coiling around the altars harmlessly.
Built in 1883, the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple houses numerous statues of Hindu deities, among which the statue of Lord Subramaniam inlaid with gold, silver, diamonds and precious stones, is the most invaluable.
The Khoo Kongsi in Canon Street was originally constructed to accommodate the Khoos arriving from southern China. The building was destroyed in a fire in 1884. It was said the building was blazed due to its stark resemblance to the imperial palace in China. The current structure reconstructed in 1902 is a lot simpler. Even then, its beauty is still awe-inspiring.
Located 8km outside Georgetown, the 30-hectare Botanical Gardens first opened its doors back in 1884. There are waterfalls and a rich array of native plants and flowering shrubs within the Gardens. The monkeys wandering freely in the Gardens are a tremendous hit with children and adults alike.
Must do:
- Go for the many heritage trails within the city on foot or by trishaw and observe age-old cultural pratices
- Visit places of worship, musuems and colonial style buildings
