PENANG FORESTRY MUSEUM
Located in Teluk Bahang, the 100 hectare park provides a good introduction to the rainforest and its many native species of flora and fauna as well as birds and insects. Many flowing streams and freshwaters pools along the trails as well as a children’s playground make the experience more enlivening. The museum was set up to encourage a greater understanding and appreciation of the rainforest in Penang
ENTOPIA
Previously known as Penang Butterfly farm ,entopia sits on 9290 square metres of exhibition space in Teluk Bahang. Branded as an Entomological Utopia,this is a sanctuary for 15000 species of live butterflies dragonflies and fireflies from around the world. This nature learning destination will reconnect visitors to the true spirit of human nature to live harmoniously with Mother nature.
TOY MUSEUM & HERITAGE GARDEN
Sprawled over 2 acres of open landscaped walkways is a museum housing a collection of more than 120000 toys that will charm both young and old. They include Hollywood licensed toys and iconic life sized figures. The museum itself is set in a Heritage Garden that showcases a wealth of tropical plants including herbs and spices, fruit trees and even carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap and monkey cup.
KEK LOK SI TEMPLE
Meaning “Temple of Supreme Bliss” in Penang Hokkien, the Buddhist temple is a visible landmark in Air Itam. Built in 1890, the seven storey pagoda of 10000 Buddhas combines a Chinese octagonal bas with a middle tier of Thai design and a Burmese crown. On a hillside is a 302m bronze statue of the goddess Kwan Yin.The temple is particularly during the Chinese New Year celebrations when it is lit up.
GURNEY DRIVE
Just minutes from the city centre , is the popular seafront promenade.It was completed in 1936 but renamed in 1952 after Sir Henry Gurney ,the British High Commissioner who served in Malaya from 1951 to 1952 and was assassinated by communist guerillas. At night, the Gurney Drive hawker centre is one of the most well known eateries on the island, the perfect place for visitors to try an array of local fare.
WAT CHAYAMANGKALARAM THAI BUDDHIST TEMPLE
The main shrine and pagoda of Wat Chayamangkalaram was built in 1845 and houses a 108 foot gold plated statue of the reclining Buddha,said to be one of the longest in the world. This traditional Thai complex also houses smaller shrines of Buddhas and popular Thai deities .In addition to local Thais, the temple is popular with devotees of all nationalities who come to the temple on various religious occasions throughout the year.
TUANKU FAUZIAH MUSEUM AND GALLERY ,USM
Located within the grounds of University Sains Malaysia in Gelugor ,the museum was named in honour of Tuanku Fauzih Binti Tengku Abdul Rashid, a former Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen) of Malaysia. The upper floor of the museum is devoted to archaeology , mining and space exploration. The ground floor features the art gallery and other galleries displaying traditional musical instruments and copies of the Quran.
SNAKE TEMPLE
The temple was originally built circa 1850 in memory of a Buddhist deity, Chor Soo Kong.Legend has it that snakes mysteriously appeared of their own accord after the temple was built.Sensing thatthis was a good omen, the monk gave shelter to the snakes and allowed them to take up residence in the sacred halls. Today the temple is home to pit vipers that appear rather docile, possibly tranquilized by the heavy incense smoke.
WAR MUSEUM
The Penang War Museum, located on Bukit Batu Maung, was erected on the original defence complex built by the British before World War II.During War , it was a defence fort. Today ,this sprawling historical complex exhibits various war paraphernalia as well as historical timelines. A reminder of the past , the museum is dedicated to those who served and died defending the country.
BUKIT GENTING HILL LEISURE PARK AND RESTAURANT
A great way to get away from it all is a drive to the top of Bukit Genting Hill where the serene environment is matched by breathtaking views of the surroundings, especially at sunset. After a stroll to enjoy the landscaped gardens, visitors can stop by the restaurant that serves Thai food for both lunch and dinner. Bukit Genting Hill is in Balik Pulau about 24 km from George Town.
PENANG BRIDGE
Completed in 1985, the Penang Bridge is one of Malaysia’s iconic landmarks, linking the island of Penang with the mainland. Its 13.5 m carriage makes it the second longest bridge in Malaysia and the fifth longest in Southeast Asia. The award winning bridge is also famous as the venue of the Penang Bridge International Marathon which attracts runners from all over the world.
P RAMLEE’S HOUSE
The restored house of Malaysia’s movie legend, the late P Ramlee, is located fittingly on Jalan P Ramlee in George Town .This Malay Kampong house where he was born in 1929 belonged to this grandmother .It has been furnished to resemble its original setting. Adjacent to the house is a gallery which is a tribute to his career spanning the 50s and 60s.
CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION
The mansion’s distinctive indigo –blue outer wall earns it the nickname “ the Blue Mansion” .Built in the 1880s by the wealthy Cheong Fatt Tze, the award winning mansion is a combination of Su Chow Dynasty period architecture, English fittings and Art Nouveau stained glass windows, with careful attention to Feng Shui, the Chinese art of geomancy. The mansion also serves as a boutique hotel, offering a truly unique heritage experience.
CLAN JETTIES
The Clan Jetties are one of the last bastions of old Chinese settlements with enclaves of wooden stilt houses perched over the sea. With the construction of the quay in 1882, the waterfront was developed and settlements grew around these foundations. Gradually each jetty is identified with certain clans. The Chew Jetty is the largest and most well-known, with the most number of stilt houses and longest walkways as well as a temple.
PENANG STATE ART GALLERY
The art gallery is dedicated to works of local artists and paintings of old Penang. Previously located within the Penang State Museum, it has now been moved to Dewan Sri Pinang. There are 2 galleries displaying a collection of permanent paintings at level 3 and a contemporary gallery on the ground floor. Various activities are held throughout the year including forum, art talk, painting workshops and competition.
FORT CORNWALLIS
The history of Fort Cornwallis goes back 2 centuries to when Captain Sir Francis Light of the British East India Company first landed on the island in 1786.In order to protect the base from any foreign military forces and pirates, the Captain decided to build a fort, named after the then Governor General in Bengal. The fort is a preserved historical landmark within the George Town UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
PENANG PERANKAN MANSION
Originally belonging to Kapitan Chung Keng Quee, the mansion has been restored and refurbished to its former glory to offer a glimpse of the typical opulent lifestyle of a rich Peranakan or Straits born Chinese Family as well as their many customs and traditions.With more than 1000 pieces of artefacts, antiques and collectibles on display, the mansion itself is of eclectic design and architecture.
QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER
Located south of Fort Cornwallis,the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock tower was commissioned in 1897 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This gleaming whitewashed tower is topped by a Moorish dome,with 4 distinct sections featuring a working clock on each side. Although hardly noticeable, the clock tower leans slightly to one side due to the impact of bombs dropped around it during World War II.
PENANG STATE MUSEUM
Located on Faruhar Street in the city centre ,the museum together with the art gallery –was opened in 1965 with an emphasis on local history, art and crafts. The museum is divided into galleries dedicated to Penang’s historical communities, as well as particular historical events.It also houses a fine collection of old photograhs ,maps , Chinese furniture m embroidery , costumes and other relics.
STREET OF HARMONY
A short walk along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, otherwise known as the Street of Harmony, demonstrates how the island’s 4 main communities can coexist peacefully. At the northern end of the street is St George’s church , the first Anglican church in Southeast Asia Just minutes away is the Goddess of Mercy Temple, one of Penang’s oldest surviving buildings dating back to 1800s.Visitors will also find the Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil, the oldest Hindu Temple on the island. Further along the street, the minaret and dome of the imposing Kapitan Keling Mosque rise above the rooftops.
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