George Town (Penang)
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At a glance
- Country
- Malaysia
- Region
- Penang
- Population
- 800,000
- Best time to go
- December to March
- Main airport
- Penang International (PEN)
- Coordinates
- 5.41°N, 100.33°E
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Overview
George Town was founded by the British East India Company in 1786, and its heritage core of shophouses, temples, mosques and clan halls is UNESCO listed alongside Melaka. Chinese, Malay, Indian and European influences mingle on almost every street.
It is also one of Asia's great food cities. People come for a weekend of hawker stalls and end up staying a week, wandering between murals, old trades and coffee shops.
Things to see
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Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to , CC BY 4.0 Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
The striking indigo-blue mansion of a nineteenth-century tycoon, shown on guided tours.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to , CC BY 4.0 Khoo Kongsi
An extravagantly decorated clan temple hidden within a square of old terraced houses.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: HundenvonPenang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kek Lok Si
A vast Buddhist temple complex on the hillside at Air Itam, with a tall pagoda and giant statue of Guanyin.
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Photo: HundenvonPenang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Penang Hill
Ride the funicular up for cooler air, forest walks and views over the city and strait.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: philip.mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0 Clan jetties
Wooden stilt villages built over the water by Chinese clans, still lived in today.
Things to do
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Photo: Lim Ee Thong, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hawker food crawl
Try char kway teow, assam laksa and nasi kandar at street stalls and food courts.
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Photo: philip.mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0 Hunt for street art
Follow the murals and iron-rod caricatures that tell stories of the old town's trades and characters.
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Photo: Asiadetailfeed, CC BY-SA 3.0 Penang National Park
Jungle trails lead to quiet beaches on the island's north-west tip.
Where to stay
Heritage core
Boutique hotels in restored shophouses, walkable to everything.
Hotels in Heritage coreGurney Drive
Seafront high-rises with a famous hawker centre and shopping malls.
Hotels in Gurney DriveBatu Ferringhi
Beach resorts on the north coast, better for a more relaxed stay.
Hotels in Batu Ferringhi
Getting around
The heritage core is walkable, and local buses and trishaws help in the heat. Ride-hailing apps are cheap for longer trips.
The airport is in the south of the island, around 30 to 40 minutes by car from George Town. Trains from Kuala Lumpur run to Butterworth, where a ferry crosses the strait.
When to go
December to March is the driest period. It is hot and humid all year, with heavier rain from around September to November. Chinese New Year brings lanterns and celebrations to the old town.
Plan your trip to George Town (Penang)
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.