Worlds collide in this cultural melting pot.
You know it ’s dear whenUNESCO describes a cityas a “ unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East andSoutheast Asia . ” Georgetown — and pretty much all of Malaysia — is certainly still blushing from such high praise . But it ’s light to see how the working capital of Pengang deserve the reverence .
Despite being an island , the biggest attractions in Penang are notalong the beachbut in the metropolis . Malaysia itself is a lovely mishmash of Malay , Chinese , and Indian culture , and Georgetown personifies that global blend .
Where else can you see colorful Chinese shophouses , British - style buildings with glint blanched façades , and profusely paint Amerindic synagogue , all within a one mile radius ? Or eatnasi lemakfor breakfast , a spicy south Indian repast served on a banana folio for dejeuner , andHainanese chicken ricefor dinner , rinse it all down with Asian craft brews at a beer garden ( if you ’re still thirsty , there ’s also barbecue atKafe DuaBotol ) .
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Penang local and former convenor of theGeorgetown Festival , Joe Sidek , call his hometown a cultural melt pot that has been cosmopolitan since the 1700s , with Chinese merchants and British traders alike make their way here . In the profusion of contemporary street art rub shoulders with traditional architecture , it ’s obvious to see what he means .
Here ’s what to see and do and eat ( emphatically consume in this cuisine heaven ) in Georgetown .
Interact with clever street art murals
The easy - going island vibe of Penang has attracted artists through the eld , and Georgetown today is a thriving originative hub . The street fine art campaign start in 2012 , when the town council lease Lithuanian artistErnest Zacharevicto breathe fresh living into the street . His interactive wall murals — where you could pose as part of the house painting , such as in the pop “ Little Children on a Bicycle”—are one of Georgetown ’s biggest attractions .
For your own mural - spot seeking , start at Armenian Street , and then turn into Cannon Street for some scintillate cat - theme art . Just be certain to assume a hat and convey plenty of body of water . In and around Love Lane , look for the coolblack wire sculpturesthat recount Penang ’s untold taradiddle – include the street ’s name ( it used to be lined with whorehouse ) and how shoe god Jimmy Choo is originally a Penang boy ( he apprentice at Georgetown ’s Hong Kong Shoe Store ) .
Zacharevic came upon theHin Bus Depotwhen he require a space for his solo exhibition , and this bus - terminal - turned - community of interests - hub is now one of the most interesting nontextual matter spaces in town . Plus , less than an hour crusade from Georgetown isArt and Garden , where local artist Fuan Wong has combined his stunning glass art with a flourishing garden filled with bromeliads and giant fern .
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Take the train up Penang Hill
Just outside Ithiel Town is the other world heritage site ofPenang Hill Biosphere Reserve , “ a mosaic of urban , farming and natural landscapes , ” grant to UNESCO . Go for a temperate hike or take thefunicular rideup the hill , and outride for the birdwatching and langur spying ( including the uncommon and elusive dark-skinned leaf rapscallion ) .
And do n’t miss the timber washup experience atThe Habitat . This sustainable tourism opening move put in hoi polloi to the wonders of this 130 - million - year erstwhile rainforest , with nature trail and crown walks .
Taste the world on a plate
Penang ’s star culinary art is doubtless the solid food of thePeranakan community , blend the good of Chinese , Malay , Native American , and Thai savor . Do n’t leave Georgetown without sampling the spicy - sour asam laksa . This hokey noodle sweetheart is topped with onions , chilies , spate leaves , Pisces paste , and pineapple ( even those who detest it on pizza will love this one , hope ) . you’re able to find oneself versions of it atLaksaliciouson Hutton Lane orPenang Road Famous Laksaon Lebuh Keng Kwee .
The latter is a great idea for those with a sweet tooth , since it is right next to the Penang Road Famous Cendol , the iced dessert that just hits the spot after a torrid laksa .
Book a table atKebaya Dining Roominside the Seven Terraces hotel , if you want Peranakan cuisine away from the warmth and debris of the street stalls . Irama Dininghas recently present Malay fine dining to Penang ( no intoxicant served here ) , whileJawi Househas unique Jawi Peranakan food for thought , which has more Arab heritage mixed in , with hummus and babaganoush finding a position in the computer menu , along with mutton biryani and beef rendang .
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End the day on a sweet preeminence with a slice of cake atChina House , a nerveless café that doubles up as an art gallery and music locus .
Go mansion hopping
Georgetown has the best - preserved collection ofChinese shophouses — two storeyed buildings with a shop at the lower level and residence above — that are a delicious mishmash of easterly and Western influence . call up Venetian blind and Corinthian arches with a spatter of Feng shui and a handful of Formosan floor tiles .
For a look at how the prosperous Chinese monger lived , head to theBlue Mansion , the tardy nineteenth - hundred residency of Cheong Fatt Tze , whose rags to riches account has earned him the local title of ‘ Rockefeller of the East . ’ To reward his status , he imported only the best and most expensive materials from as far away as Scotland for his signally Chinese house ( restored in 1995 ) . On a point tour ( daily at 11 am and 2 postmortem ) , face out for the ornate flourishes on the indigo blue outer bulwark .
ThePinang Peranakan Mansion , a house museum fill with old-timer and artefacts , is another rich repository of Penang ’s multicultural history . With its saturnine way , richly carved doorways , and elaborate exhibits , this one can be both consuming and fascinating .
The Habitat Penang Hill
Sleep in Penang’s best hotels
BothCheong Fatt Tze MansionandSeven Terracesare boutique hotels , their rooms decorate with both dainty period piece of furniture and the most modern comforts . For something more present-day , The Prestigeis a newish hotel that takes great pridefulness in its aerodynamic ice and chrome purpose ethos .
Known simply as the E & O , theEastern and Oriental Hotelhas hosted several renown since it first opened its doors in 1885 ( look for the portrait drift to see if your screen idol has stay here ) . Ask for a room with a view of the Penang Straits at this seafront hotel , built in English colonial mode , where the doormen wear British - geological era khaki shorts and pith helmet .
If dress shop hotel are your thing , then look no further than23 Love Lane , a building that in the beginning used to be the residency of a European family and was renovated into its present grade with the aid of a conservation designer .
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Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion
Eastern & Oriental Hotel Sdn. Bhd.
