Best Itinerary to Visit George Town Penang for First Timer

– We recommend starting your walking tour in George Town Penang in Pinang Peranakan Masion on Church Street. This was built in the 1890s by Chung Keng Quee and later restored and opened to the public to showcase cultural heritages of Peranakan (refers to Chinese migrants in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia). Its first name was Hai Kee Chan (which means ‘sea of remembrance’). Before the mansion, visitors can have breakfast or brunch with nasi lemak at Ali stall on nearby Beach Street. It’s one of around 70 places that have gained a Michelin star.

– Walk along Church Street and at the junction of Beach Street, turn left.

– Walk along Beach Street until Victoria Clock Tower near the roundabout at the junction of Lebuh Light Street, Lebuh Beach Street and Pengkalan Weld Quay Street (known as ‘Light Street roundabout). Beach Street is one of the oldest roads in George Town Penang. It ran along the seafront before recent land reclamations, and that’s why it’s called Beach Street. Before the clock tower, visitors will pass by many banks and colonial buildings, proving the role of Penang as an important trading and financial hub in the region. At the center of the roundabout is the ‘Pinang Fountain’ depicting the betel nut (which means Pinang in Malay language).

– Walk along Jalan Tun Syed Barakbah to see the entrance of Fort Cornwallis, the oldest remaining fortress in Malaysia. Constructed in the late 18th century, it’s originally located at the spot where Francis Light captain first landed on Penang. It’s named after Earl Cornwallis, the governor-general of Bengal at the time of its construction. You can buy a ticket to enter, see remnants and learn about history. This fort has a lighthouse that is still in use, and a Michelin-star restaurant. See more information & details

– Walk along Esplanade Walk until the Cenotaph War Memorial. This public paved walkway lies between Fort Cornwallis, the Esplanade (Padang) and the sea (Straits of Malacca), providing a view to tall buildings in new urban areas. See more information & details

– Walk along Jalan Padang Kota Lama Road until the end (Light Street). You will see two iconic colonial buildings in the town – Penang Town Hall and Penang City Hall on one side and the Esplanade (Padang) on the other side. The Town hall is older (built in 1880s) and served as the headquarter of the Municipal Commission of George Town. In 1903, the City hall was constructed to take over its functions. Near the end of the road, there is Municipal Fountain Park where you can take a break under the shade of the tree. The fountain was donated by a rich Chinese businessman to celebrate the opening of the Town hall.

– Walk along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling Street until the end (Armenian Street). This is one of the first roads in George Town Penang. It’s also known as ‘Street of Harmony’ because there are many places of worship from different religions along it that are close to each other. In particular, you will see an Indian mosque, a Chinese Taoist temple, an Indian Hindu temple and an Anglican church. Before taking its name in the 1990s, it’s called Pitt Street (named after William Pitt the Younger, the British prime minister at the time when Francis Light captain founded Penang). Many locals still refer to the street as Pitt Street today.

From Light Street, the first place is St George’s Church, constructed in 1817 and 1818 by the British East India Company, after the British took possession of Penang in 1786. In the front of the church, there is a memorial to commemorate Francis Light who founded the town. The second place is Goddess of Mercy Temple, dating from 1728, a Chinese temple where the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) is honored. Next, Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Indian temple in George Town. Established in 1833, it’s located in the heart of Little Indian. The 4th place is Kapitan Keling Mosque that was constructed in the 19th century by Indian Muslim traders and today a famous cultural landmark of Penang. It’s named after the leader of the Indian Muslim community.

– Walk along Armenian Street until the end (Pengkalan Weld Quay Street). Firstly, we recommend going along Cannon Street before Armenian Street. Along this short road, you can see Khoo Kongsi (one of two most popular Chinese clan houses in Penang), Lebuh Acheh Mosque (founded in 1808 by an Acehnese aristocrat of Arab descent, has a Arab-style minaret) as well as some well-known street art murals (like ‘Boy on Chair’).

After Cannon Street, go back to Yap Kongsi (the clan house of the Chinese Yap clan) near the junction of Armenian Street and also Asia Camera Museum if interested. And then, walk along Armenian Street to see Choo Chay Keong Temple (the ancestral temple of Yap clan who migrated from China), the Umbrella Alley (an Instagrammable spot), Batik Painting Museum (showcasing a collection of nearly 100 original batik paintings made by over 30 artists), Cheah Kongsi (one of two most popular Chinese clan houses in Penang), and famous mural ‘Children on Bicycle’. It’s possible to see restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir shops and metal sculptures on this pretty road too. See more information & details

– The ending point is Chew Jetty. From the end of Armenian Street, you need to walk across Pengkalan Weld Quay Street to see the entrance of Chew Jetty, the longest and the most known clan jetty in Penang. You will see many shops, a few local food stalls, and murals (like Folklore by the Sea). See more information & details

Nearby places to eat near Chew Jetty are the Jetty Food Court, Chew Jetty Big Bowl Noodles, or restaurants in Little India, Armenian Street.