Penang, Malaysia » Entertainment » Attractions

Penang, also call 'Pearl of the Orient' is popular for sandy beaches and is regarded as Malaysia's food capital. Penang's most visited and famous places include Tanjung Bungah, Fort Cornwallis, Snake Temple, Penang Botanic Gardens and many more.

KOMTAR (Komplex Tun Abdul Razak)

Komtar is a 65-storey building designed and constructed by local expertise. Komtar is an acronym for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak named after the second prime minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. It is Penang's first skyscraper and also a very famous landmark. The complex contains theatres, squash courts, retail outlets, restaurants, clubs, offices and a geodesic dome used as a multi-purpose hall. The 55th floor offers a beautiful panoramic view of the island. One can also enjoy the magnificent view of Gunung Jerai in Kedah on clear days.
Address: B21-01, No. 1, Arked 1, KOMTAR, Lebuh Tek Soon, 10000 George Town, Malaysia.

Penang Bridge

A link between the island and the mainland, the Penang Bridge is the largest bridge in Asia and the third-largest bridge in the world. The bridge offers beautiful and scenic views of the port and the city. A Penang Bridge Run takes place on the bridge every year, gratifying both the professional and the non-professional runners.

Air Itam Dam

Situated above the Kek Lok Si temple in the Air Itam village, the dam offers beautiful views of the island. Enjoy walking or jogging down during the cold season. Air Itam Dam is also a famous site for annual religious celebrations.

Zoos, Aquariums, Parks & Gardens

Penang Bird Park
Penang Bird Park is a small bird park containing various bird species. The park is home to ostriches, hornbills, flamingos, macaws, peafowls, sea eagles, grey parrots and many more. There is also a fish pond and two walk-through aviaries inside.
Address: Jalan Todak Seberang Jaya, 13700 Perai, Penang, Malaysia.

Penang Butterfly Farm
A wonderful area of around 0.8-hectares containing different kinds of butterflies is famous among the locals and tourists. Apart from the butterflies, the farm is home to reptiles, snakes, scorpions and fish. Early afternoon or late morning is the best time to visit the place.
Address: No.830, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia.

Penang Botanic Gardens
Penang Botanic Gardens, or the Waterfall Gardens, as called by the locals because of the cascading waterfall, is a public park in George Town. Spread over 30-hectares of land, the garden is also home to several species of wild monkeys. Botanic Gardens host the Penang International Floral Festival every year for about a week. During the festival, the garden becomes a floral wonderland showcasing an array of flowers and blooms.
Address: Kompleks Pentadbiran,Bangunan Pavilion, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Historic sites

Fort Cornwallis
British East India Company built Fort Cornwallis in the late 18th century. In 1804 it was rebuilt with stones and bricks. Fort Cornwallis is a giant fort in Malaysia that was never engaged in combat. Situated at the Esplanade, the fort houses a gunpowder bunker, a chapel and a lighthouse. There are also a lot of old canons located inside the fortress.
Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Jubilee Clock Tower
Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower is a sixty-foot high tower. Built in 1897 in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the clock tower was financed by Cheah Chen Eok, a local millionaire. Each foot of the tower is dedicated to a year of Queen Victoria's reign.
Address: Lebuh Light, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is one of the famous tourist attractions of Penang. This beautiful place was built in 1906 by China's leading craftsmen. It consists of two buildings on opposite sides, one is an ancestral temple, and the other serves as a venue for plays and operas.
Address: 18, Cannon Square, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Religious Places

Dharmikarma Burmese Temple
Guarded by two elephants at the entrance, the Dharmikarma Burmese Temple is the only Burmese temple in Malaysia. It is famous for its wishing pond and on-site Bodhi worshipping tree. The temple is home to the water festival celebrated in April.
Address: 24, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Kek Lok Si Temple
Located near the Aier Itam market, Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. It is famous for the giant statue of the Kuan Yin Goddess and the seven-storey pagoda that showcases influences from Burma, Thailand and China architecture.
Address: Kek Lok Si Temple, 11500 Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia.

Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple
Devoted to the god Bala Subramaniam, Nattukkottai Temple is famous for hosting the Thaipusam festival every year. Also called "Elephant temple", the temple is bordered by bright-green gates and is hoarded by strings of fresh garlands. A five-foot-high Elephant God is standing in the middle of the temple. A miracle occurred in 1997, wherein the Elephant God started drinking milk offered by the devotees.
Address: Jalan Kebun Bunga, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Saint George's Church
Built in 1818, Saint George's Church is the oldest Anglican church in Penang. At the entrance, there is the grand memorial pavilion constructed in honour of Francis Light.
Address: 1, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Beaches

Penang National Park's beaches are the best beaches in Penang because of its quiet, remote location. They are: Teluk Bahang, Pasir Pandak, Teluk Tukun, Tanjung Ailing, Teluk Duyung (Monkey Beach), Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi, Pantai Mas.

Teluk Bahang Beach
Teluk Bahang Beach is a lovely beach in the area of Bahang Bay. This is more popular as camping ground and outings.
Address: 187, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Taman Tanjung Bunga, 11050, Penang, Malaysia.

Tanjung Bungah Beach
Tanjung Bungah (Tanjong Bungah) beach is located between Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Tokong. Tanjung Bungah Beach is a beautiful beach in Penang, engulfed inside gigantic rocks, overhanging cliffs, and flourishing vegetation.
Address: 32, Medan Tanjong Bungah, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia.

Batu Ferringhi Beach
Batu Ferringhi Beach is a low lying area famous among tourists. Jet skiing, water surfing, water skiing, parasailing, and other sporting activities are enjoyed wholeheartedly over here.
Address: 69, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia.

Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung)
Island. This non-polluted, pristine beach is inhabited by monkeys. The beach is safe for swimming. One can explore the jungle hike from the beach to the Muka Head Lighthouse.
Address: Jalan Hassan Abas, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia.