George Town (Heritage Trishaw Ride):
George Town, the capital of Penang, was once a marine fuel station and a trade centre for Indian spices and Chinese tea, cotton and other commodities, so it presents rich blend of British, Moorish, Chinese and Indian cultures. Taking the traditional trishaw ride exploring this multi-cultural city’s significant landmarks, historical ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, allow you to discover the city in depth.
Art Street:
In 2012, Penang city government implemented a project called “Mirrors George Town”, inviting some artists to paint many interesting 3D incorporated murals on various street walls in the designated reserved area, which have subsequently become one of the cultural landmarks of the city as well as a must-visit attraction for tourists. Among them, the three most popular works by Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic – “Children on Bicycle”, “Boy on Motorcycle” and “Boy on Chair” are not to be missed. Nearby there are also some redeveloped ancient residences, cafés, ice cream shop, souvenir shops… Strolling and cycling there are definitely enjoyable.
Clan Jetties:
Located at the northeast waterfront of Penang, Clan Jetties are some old floating villages where the first generation of Chinese immigrants settled in Penang. The jetties are named after the residents’ respective common surname. There were originally 9 jetties, but 3 of them have been demolished due to decay by water erosion, aging, etc. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the surviving 6 jetties perfectly unveil the hardship of the early Chinese immigrants and the traditional water life.
The Blue Mansion:
Originally a 130-year-old Chinese-style heritage mansion, which was left by the Chinese industrialist Cheong Fatt Tze, who spent most of his life in Malaysia and was once regarded as the richest man there to his descendants. To reflect its glory and grandeur, Cheong kept an eye for every detail and only used the best materials of that time, like the artisans hired from Southern China and the building materials imported from as far as Scotland. The architecture presents his passions and love of Chinese culture and tradition. Blue Mansion is now an entertainment complex offering an 18-suites boutique hotel, restaurants, cafes and bar, and daily guided tours to visitors.
Love Lane:
Dating back to 1803, this narrow historic street was once known for its brothels. Many of the Chinese-style traditional shops have been transformed to boutique hotels, hostels, hipster cafes and bars, attracting many locals and tourists for sightseeing and nightlife.
Penang Hill:
Standing at its peak at 830 meters above the sea level, visitors can admire the panoramic view of the Penang Island. Also located in its undeveloped rainforest conservation area is the world-class eco-tourism attraction “The Habitant”. With facilities including natural hiking trails, canopy trail, rainforest suspension bridge, cafes, etc., it aims at raising awareness on the significance of diverse and delicate ecosystems.