ya every penangites knows it and would recommend it
About 6 km from George Town, funicular base at Air Itam
Penang Hill was the first colonial hill station developed in Malaysia, dating back to the late 18th century when British officers sought relief from the tropical heat. Sir Francis Light, the founder of Penang, is said to have had a bungalow built here. Over time, the hill was dotted with colonial homes, churches, and government rest houses. In 1923, the funicular railway was completed, making the ascent easier for locals and visitors alike. Today it remains one of the oldest funicular systems in Asia, restored with modern upgrades but retaining its historic charm.
A 10-minute funicular ride brings you to a height of 833 meters, where you'll enjoy cool air, sweeping views of George Town and the mainland, and a landscape sprinkled with heritage bungalows and gardens. Attractions include David Brown's colonial restaurant, a mosque, Hindu temple, and the iconic viewing platforms.
At the summit of Penang Hill
Opened in 2017, The Habitat was designed as a conservation and eco-tourism showcase to highlight Penang's rainforest ecosystem, estimated to be over 130 million years old—older than the Amazon.
Walk along the Curtis Crest canopy bridge, the highest viewing point on Penang Island, or cross the Langur Way Canopy Walk, one of the longest in Southeast Asia. Guided tours introduce the flora and fauna, from giant tropical trees to exotic bird species.
Central George Town
George Town, founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light as a British trading post, quickly grew into one of the most important port cities in Southeast Asia. Over centuries, it became a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, European, and Middle Eastern influences. In 2008, UNESCO recognized George Town (alongside Melaka) for its outstanding universal value, with its preserved shophouses, religious sites, and multicultural living heritage.
Wander through narrow streets filled with 19th-century shophouses, clan temples, churches, and mosques. Explore Khoo Kongsi (an elaborate Chinese clan house), admire Ernest Zacharevic's world-famous murals, and soak in the energy of bustling markets and cafés.
Air Itam, near Penang Hill
Founded in 1890 under the patronage of the Chinese community, Kek Lok Si has grown into the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. Its most famous feature is the seven-story Pagoda of Rama VI, blending Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architectural styles, symbolizing the unity of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. In 2002, a 30-meter-tall bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, was added, cementing its reputation as one of Asia's great temples.
Visitors pass through prayer halls lined with thousands of Buddha statues, koi ponds, turtle sanctuaries, and gardens. The temple is especially spectacular during Chinese New Year, when it is illuminated with thousands of lanterns.
Weld Quay, George Town
Built in the 19th century by Chinese immigrants, the Clan Jetties are traditional stilt-house villages over the water, each belonging to a different Chinese clan. Once thriving with laborers working at the port, these jetties became self-contained communities with homes, temples, and businesses. The Chew Jetty is the largest and most famous, while others remain private and less visited.
Wooden walkways lead visitors past heritage homes, small shops, and shrines. The Chew Jetty is especially popular for its sea views and cultural atmosphere.
Teluk Bahang, northwest Penang
Established in 2003, Penang National Park is only 23 square kilometers but contains mangroves, rainforests, coral reefs, and one of the world's rare meromictic lakes (where seawater and freshwater do not mix).
Jungle trails lead to Monkey Beach, known for its pristine sand, and Pantai Kerachut, with its turtle conservation center. Wildlife includes macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, and sea eagles.
Jalan Kebun Bunga, George Town
Established in 1884 by the British, the gardens were originally a site for plant research and acclimatization of commercial crops. Over the years, they developed into one of Penang's most beloved recreational spaces.
Wide lawns, orchid houses, and rainforest trails provide a peaceful atmosphere. Long-tailed macaques and dusky leaf monkeys are frequent (and mischievous) visitors.
Market Street and surrounding roads, George Town
Emerging in the 19th century as a hub for Indian traders, Little India remains a thriving cultural district. Tamil music plays in the streets, sari shops abound, and Hindu temples anchor the neighborhood.
Browse spice shops, enjoy banana leaf meals, and step into Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang's oldest Hindu temple, established in 1833.
Church Street, George Town
Once the residence of Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, a wealthy 19th-century Chinese tycoon, this mansion showcases the opulence of the Peranakan, or Straits Chinese, community. The Peranakans emerged from intermarriages between Chinese immigrants and local Malays, blending traditions to form a unique hybrid culture. The mansion has been meticulously restored into a museum of heritage.
Step into a house filled with more than 1,000 antiques, from elaborate jewelry and costumes to intricately carved furniture and porcelain. Guided tours explain Peranakan customs, weddings, and daily life.
Leith Street, George Town
Built in the 1880s by Cheong Fatt Tze, a wealthy Chinese merchant often called the "Rockefeller of the East." The mansion reflects his vision of blending Eastern and Western architecture, with Scottish cast-iron fixtures, Chinese ceramic work, and British stained glass. After decades of decline, it was meticulously restored and won UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Award for Heritage Conservation in 2000.
Guided tours reveal lavish courtyards, antique furnishings, and cultural symbolism woven into the architecture. It now also operates as a boutique hotel.
This package includes 10 carefully curated locations in Penang. Each location has been selected for its unique cultural, historical, or natural significance.