Cannon Street is a must see attraction in George Town, the UNESCO world heritage site on Penang Island, Malaysia. It’s one of the shortest roads in town, but becomes popular for tourists because of street art murals and close proximity to famous landmarks (such as Khoo Kongsi). In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will provide all information about famous Cannon Street in Penang.
You may like also: Street of Harmony (Penang), Chulia Street (Penang)
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Know about Cannon Street in George Town Penang
– Location: George Town, Penang, Malaysia
– Opening times: morning
– Closing times: mid-night
– Length: around 100 meters
– Width: 5 meters
– Direction: from northwest to southwest
– North end: Armenian Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
– South end: Lebuh Acheh Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
– Other hours: pedestrian time
– Major crossroads: Cannon Street (near Yap Kongsi), Beach Street (near the street art Kids on bicycle by Ernest Zacharevic)
– Recognition(s):
– Reason(s) to visit: Khoo Kongsi, street art murals
– Best time to visit: early morning, late afternoon
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cannon-street-george-town-penang/
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available
– Other information:
Cannon Street (Penang) on Map
Better to Know about Cannon Street in George Town Penang
Within the core zone of George Town world heritage site area, Cannon Street is one of the shortest roads in Penang (around 100 meters). It starts at Yap Kongsi (Chinese clan temple) near the junction of Armenian Street and ends at Lebuh Acheh Mosque on Lebuh Acheh Street.
About the name origin of Cannon Street, historians tell us that it’s named after the Penang Riots took place in 1867 between two Chinese secret societies. One of stories explains that in this event, the colonial government fired cannons in the area and then created a big hole on the street. After that, it’s known as ‘Tua Cheng Khang’ which means Big Cannon Hole in English. Over time, it’s shortened to be ‘Cannon Street’. The other story mentions that cannons are placed on this road, so then it’s called Cannon Street.
Along Cannon Street, visitors will see these attractions:
– Yap Kongsi:
– Khoo Kongsi:
– ‘Boy on Chair’ mural:
– ‘Window Cat’ mural
– Lebuh Acheh Mosque:
Cannon Street has a few restaurants for your lunch or dinner too, including My Own Cafe (a family run restaurant received Michelin star from 2023).
In nearby Armenian Street, there are also many places to go, such as Cheah Kongsi (as famous as Khoo Kongsi on Cannon Street, the Umbrella Alley near the crossroad of Cannon Street, famous ‘Kids on Bicycle’ mural, metal sculptures, shophouses,…).
How to Get to Cannon Street in George Town Penang
Armenian Street is a nearly-200-meters-long road in George Town, the historic center and a world heritage site on Penang Island, Malaysia.
In the afternoon and evening, cars just can drop off visitors near the crossroads of Armenian Street with Beach Street or Cannon Street.
From the George Town Penang, visitors can walk, take a short car ride or ride the motorbike to go to Armenian Street.
Visitors can reach the Chew Jetty or Kapitan Keling Mosque (two other must see places in George Town) first and then walk to Armenian Street.
From the Penang International Airport (PEN), the distance to Armenian Street is around 40 kilometers. Visitors can take a car/bus to get there. The drive is 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic and weather.
From Butterworth, visitors need to go to the ferry terminal first and then take a ferry ride (10-15 minutes) from there. After landing Penang, follow the Weld Road and at the entrance of Chew Jetty, cross this road and go straight ahead to see Armenian Street. While walking across Weld Road, be careful.
From Batu Ferringhi, the distance to Armenian Street is around 16 kilometers. Visitors can take a car, bus or motorbike to get there.
Places to Visit near Cannon Street in George Town Penang
– Kongsi (clan house): Khoo Kongsi, Cheah Kongsi, Tan Kongsi, Lim Kongsi
– Temples: Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Temple), Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Nagore Dargah Sharif, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Wu Ti Meow (War Emperor’s Temple),
– Mosques: Kapitan Keling Mosque, Lebuh Aceh Mosque (Acheen Street Mosque)
– Churches: St George’s Church, Church of the Assumption
– Heritage mansions: Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion), House of Jeap Chor Ee
– Clan jetties: Chew Jetty, Tan Jetty, Ong Jetty, Lee Jetty
– Museums: Penang State Museum & Art Gallery, Sun Yat Sen Museum, Wonderfood Museum, Straits & Oriental Museum, Asia Camera Museum, Penang 3D Trick Art Museum, Upside Down Museum, Batik Painting Museum, Ghost Museum Penang, Glass Museum Penang, Penang Islamic Museum, Penang Ferry Museum, Penang Diocesan Museum
– Other heritage buildings: Fort Cornwallis, Victoria Clock Tower, Penang City Hall, Penang Town Hall, Esplanade (Padang), Cenotaph War Memorial, Municipal Fountain Park, Logan Memorial,
– Famous streets and walkways: Armenian Street, Chulia Street, Esplanade Walk,
– Areas: China Town, Little India
Itinerary to Visit George Town Penang for First Timer
We suggest this itinerary to explore the George Town Penang by foot for first timers:
Total distance: 2,4 kilometers
– Starting point: Pinang Peranakan Mansion, a must see attraction in the town. You can get here by walking or taking a taxi/car/bus. If want to eat something before the walking tour, can try nasi lemak at nearby Ali at the entrance of Sri Weld Food Court on Beach Street.
– Walking along Church Street (towards Beach Street) and at the crossroad with Beach Street, turn left. Go straight until see the Victoria Clock Tower.
– Walking along Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah Road (the eastern side of the Fort Cornwallis) and then along the Esplande Walk between the fort, the padang and the sea. At the Cenotaph War Memorial, turn into Jalan Padang Kota Lama Road (to the left).
– Walking along Jalan Padang Kota Lama Road, pass by the City Hall, the Town Hall, and the Municipal Fountain Park until the end (the Light Street).
– Walking along the Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling Road (‘Street of Harmony’ or Pitt Street) until the end (the Armenian Street). Pass by St George’s Church with its Francis Light Memorial, Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Temple), Kapitan Keling Mosque, Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
– Walking along the Cannon Street until the end (Lebuh Acheh Mosque). You will find the entrance of Khoo Kongsi, famous ‘Boy on Chair’ mural, ‘Window Cat’ mural
– Going back to the crossroad of Cannon Street and the Armenian Street, turn right and then walk along Armenian Street (one of the prettiest roads in George Town Penang). On this narrow road, can see Chinese temples and clan houses (such as Cheah Kongsi, Choo Chay Keong Temple), famous street art murals (like ‘Kids on Bicycle’), the umbrella alley or shophouses.
– The ending point: Chew Jetty, the longest and the most popular clan jetty in Penang, which has ‘Folklore by the Sea’ mural
For more details and the map, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/penang-self-guided-walking-tour
