George Town walking tour & city guide

Heritage streets

Street art murals, such as the famous 'Kids on Bicycle', are scattered through the old town. The Khoo Kongsi clan house is richly decorated, and the Clan Jetties are wooden villages built on stilts over the sea.

Around Penang

Penang Hill, reached by funicular, offers cool air and views. Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, is nearby.

A day in George Town

George Town's UNESCO-listed center is best explored on foot or by trishaw. Look for the famous street art murals, such as the children on a bicycle on Armenian Street, and the steel-rod caricatures that tell the history of each street. Visit the clan houses, especially the ornate Khoo Kongsi, and the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion.

In the evening, go to the hawker centers at Gurney Drive or New Lane, and try char kway teow and assam laksa, often named among the best street food in Asia.

Good to know

Penang Island is connected to the mainland by two long bridges and a ferry. Penang Hill, reached by funicular, offers cool air and views of the city.

The Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, is especially beautiful at Chinese New Year, when it is lit with thousands of lanterns.