How to Discover Penang's Cultural Heritage

As one of Malaysia's most popular travel destinations, Penang is home to its fair share of historical sites and cultural attractions. With its capital Georgetown serving as its beating heart, exploring the culinary, ethnic and architectural inheritance of the area should be a key priority for all visitors. From touring its UNESCO World Heritage Site capital to discovering its water villages, here's a comprehensive guide to unearthing Penang's rich cultural legacy.

Enjoy a Walking Tour of George Town

One of the best ways to kick-start your cultural tour of Penang and its UNESCO World Heritage Site city Georgetown is to embark on a three-wheeler or cycling tour of the main town centre. Those who would rather take the bus will find that the Central Area Transit Bus or CAT buses are also on hand free of charge for tourists who wish to hop on and hop off at key landmarks around town. Delving into the cultural heritage of Georgetown, pit stops along the Central Area Transit Bus route include ones at Fort Cornwallis, the Chowrasta Market and the Street of Harmony.

Have High Tea in a Local Cafe

While it may be a leftover of Penang's colonial past, high tea is a daily event for most residents and expats living in the area. Indeed, most colonial-era hotels and cafes in Georgetown are renowned for their own take on this English tradition with Communal Table by gēn and Yuè Penang serving up Malay savouries and sweet treats instead of the usual scones and cucumber sandwiches. Some of the best places to enjoy high tea in Penang include the Mano Fine Dining & Cellar, the Suffolk House Restaurant and the Guest Lounge while Crumbles & Cream and Orinea are equally well-known for their high tea spreads.

Uncover Penang's Diverse Community Hotspots

The multi-cultural nature of Penang and Georgetown are on proud display in various corners of the capital and its suburbs and a walking tour of these areas will serve as an eye-opening encounter for most tourists. An afternoon stroll around Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling Street is a must as this is the area where 4 temples devoted to different faiths are located side by side. The Kapitan Keling Mosque, St George’s Church, the Goddess of Mercy Temple and the Sri Mahamariamman Temple are the 4 religious landmarks one will find here alongside other community centres. The clan temples and clan houses in Georgetown also offer visitors insights into the more than 170 clans residing in Penang. Khoo Kongsi and Ong Kongsi are the most popular sites among these community strongholds.

Sign Up For a Penang Street Art Tour

Tourists based at Travelodge Georgetown Penang or any other hotel in Georgetown Penang can also sign up for a tour of the area's street art districts where the creative identity of this Malay city is on full display. Some of the most renowned murals in Georgetown include The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler by local artist Desmond Yeo and The Brother and Sister on Swing by Louis Gan. Animal lovers will marvel at the Cat and Human Happily Living Together by Tang Yeok Khang which was part of the Artists for Stray Animals initiative. Marking George Town is another art program that launched more than 52 art exhibits all around Georgetown in the recent past.

Visit Peranakan Heritage Hubs

Peranakan heritage is hard to escape in Penang due to the large number of mansions and restaurants that are keeping the memories of these communities alive. A tour of the Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a must as it is a museum where the Baba and Nyonya family legacies are explored in great detail with more than a thousand relics and exhibits.