Top Things to do in George Town
What to do and see in George Town, Penang: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
The beauty and rich history of George Town keeps tourists flocking all year round. George Town offers views of the famous Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Kapitan Keling Mosque and many of the capital's golden crowned Buddhist temples. With museums showcasing the country's rich-historical treasures, restaurants that offer classic Malaysian cuisine and dozens of shopping malls, there's guaranteed to be something for everyone to see.
Restaurants in George Town
1. Folklore By The Sea
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
In late 19 century, Chinese immigrant who shared common surname travelled down south from China in search of better settlement and established the Clan Jetties (Ong, Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee, Yeoh, New Jetty, Peng Aun, Koay) at the shoreline of Penang Island. "Folklore By The Sea" is a live theatrical show set in the heart of Chew Jetty, a well-known tourist destination in Penang. With thoughtfully curated Live Performance/ Drama as well as interesting Story Telling show about "Our Clan Jetties", the audience is taken back in time to the good old days when life was simpler and the sea provided a source of sustenance. The materialization of Folklore By The Sea will go beyond just being a platform for live shows and also a venue provider that creates opportunities of various artistic offerings, educational programmes to nurture new talents as well as outreach programmes to promote Penang heritage culture in ways that elevate its profile locally and internationally.
Reviewed By RajdeepBhattacharjee - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
The Chews originated from the south-eastern coast of China - from Tung Aun District, Xin Lin She Village, Quan Zhou Prefecture of Fujian Provice. They were maritime clan communities in China. Thus when they emigrated, they also built homes for themselves at the waterfront. The Chew Jetty settlement is the biggest of the lot, having grown from about 10 families back in the 20s to over 1,500 residents today. Folklore by the Sea, an arts and cultural platform managed by Evoct Resources was founded by Chan Kok Leong and Chew Siew Pheng. It's a 45 minute live performance in the heart of Chew Jetty presents the history of the jetty settlers, their culture and lifestyle in a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable fashion. The performance takes the audience though the history of the Chinese emigration, the settlers’ arrival in Penang, the construction of the clan jetties, the trades each clan specialised in, life during and after World War II, Merdeka, and up to the present day. Folklore by the Sea is strategically located in the heart of Chew Jetty, one of the UNESCO sites in Georgetown, Penang. Founders Chan Kok Leong and Chew Siew Pheng, whose brainchild Folklore by the Sea was, and who built the theatre in their Chew family home, come onstage at the end and chat with the audience about the ongoing dilemma on living in a Clan Jetty – the joy and pressure of living in an area where 70% of your neighbours are related to, the cost of maintaining houses which are constantly battered by the sea, and the urgent need to preserve the stories that have been passed down through the generations, which was their inspiration for this show. Among the remaining jetties, only the Chew Jetty continues to have any clan-related activity - the once a year annual worship of its Temple Deity and "Tee Kong" (God of Heaven or Sky-God). The event take place on the 9th of Chinese New Year (Lunar Calendar) annually. This distinctive and grand event attracts throngs of people to Chew Jetty to enjoy lion dance and dragon dances. On that day, resident place the worship food on the long altar table for praying.
2. Sia Boey Old Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By iisechew - Malaysia, null
????Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park The first of its kind in Penang, Sia Boey is public park based on the conservation of remnants and memories of what the original Sia Boey Market was with, with Prangin Canal serving as a waterway. ???? In the previous years, Prangin Canal was infamously remembered for its rubbish strewn dirty waters. ❌ With conservation projects at hand, just admire the lovely 'koi' fishes in these exact same waters! ???????????? Lanterns are strung up everywhere, and it makes for such a lovely sight, be in day or night. ???????? I'm proud to see Penang working on such conservation projects. Kudos to this project!
3. Studio Howard
4. Stella Maris Retreat Centre
5. Church of Immaculate Conception
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By kabeta - Jakarta, Indonesia
Nice and sacred Catholic church. It has English speaking daily masses. The church is clean and comfortable quiet atmosphere for prayer and worship
6. Lee Jetty
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By BigAsianChoice - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lee Jetty is the shortest among the clan jetties, therefore has good view of stilt houses surrounding it, like Tan Jetty to the North and Yeoh Jetty to the South. I like how the houses neatly arranged along the straight wooden jetty, something unusual among stilt houses in Georgetown. The end of the wooden jetty extend out to the sea, and was where I spend time to take photos. Locals were friendly and allow visitors in, although no stalls along the jetty except for a stall selling ice cream near to the entrance.
7. Queen Street
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By 618sartaja - Penang Island, Malaysia
Queen street come under little India area and Travellers could get economical accommodation since lots of budget hotels are there and famous Kapitan cling mosque near by and also Mahabu mariamman temple in the queen street.Good Indian restaurants are there close to 40 and visitors could enjoy famous Penang for food experience from vegetarian ,non vegetarian, ice karangal,chendool etc.
8. Cannon Street
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 415 reviews
Reviewed By Romaica - Alexandria, Egypt
The street has wonderful architecture and street art in George Town. The best way to explore it is on foot, so you don't miss anything.
9. Yeoh Jetty
10. Nagore Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 109 reviews
Nagore Square Welcomes You! A Penang heritage entertainment hub called as Nagore Square™ welcomes you! Nagore Square™ is positioned as a lifestyle destination with a mixed use of retail, arts & cultural, F&B and entertainment area along the intersection of Jalan Burmah and Jalan Nagore and stretching up to Jalan Bawasah. The precinct will be a hybrid of indoor and outdoor spaces and showcasing the heritage designs of old world such as the Little Shanghai heritage-amidst the contemporary settings of a functional lifestyle gathering and entertainment center in a shopping/dining village concept. It highlights a lifestyle repositioning, delivering a dynamic urban experience and communal space for gathering and interaction. Come visit us to check out more of the tantalising treats here at Nagore Square™.
Reviewed By kambhatlan - Pune, India
An Amazing historical place to visit. The people are very helpful and guide you to all the historical places in and around Georgetown area, the capital of Penang island. You can find eco friendly cycles in the area and you can roam on them in the city.
