Tourist Attractions in George Town/Penang

Chinatown

Start out your walk through Chinatown on Lebuh Leith at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Turn down Jalan Muntri to see the Hainan Temple, then continue down Lebuh Leith until you reach Lebuh Chulia, which is one of the eating drinking streets through Chinatown. Cross Lebuh Cintra, or turn left and walk three blocks to the 100 Cintra Street Bazaar. Not far past Lebuh Cintra is the pink Masjid Jamek. Across the street is the friendly Ng Fook Thong Temple and Clan House. Turn left on Lorong Love and admire the small churches and temples that date b ack to over a century ago, then dip into the Carpenters’ Guild about a block and a half in. Further along Chulia are two institutions characteristic of Penang, the Hong Kong Bar, in a setting straight out of The World of Suzie Wong and Eu Yan Sang traditional Chinese herbalist shop. Each serves up its own kind of medicine. Stop for a rest and a plate of chicken rice at the Goh Thow Chick Cafe.

 Old Pitt Street

Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, originally called Pitt Street, was designed and designated as a street where places of worship of every faith could co-exist in harmony. Georgetown's colorful religious enclave makes for pleasant and easy exploration on foot as this major t horoughfare stretches from St George's Anglican Church on Lebuh Farquhar on the northern end, past the Quan Yin Temple to the Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. The Maha Mariamman Temple is in between at Lebuh Queen, past Khoo Kongsi at Cannon Square, and then finally there is the Acheen Street Mosque at Lebuh Acheh. After all that temple gazing and walking, stop in at Colonial Restaurant for Hainanese food in one of their special breeze-catching airwells.

Waterfront

Pengkalen Weld or Weld Quay, an enclave of the trading houses and shipping agencies where life in Penang started, now holds a mishmash of establishments plus the refurbished premises of the British Council, one of the last operating vestiges of colonialism. The Malayan Railway Building, though it houses the pallid Customs offices, is a worthwhile architectural sight. At the waterfront, Kampung Ayer, the territory of the clan jetties, affords a treat in sampan cruises. Why not try one to enjoy the romantic view of Penang from the sea? Afterwards, walk along the waterfront to Frank Swettenham Pier and the Esplanade to sample from roadside stalls selling almond and peanut soup desserts, duck meat and glutinous rice porridge.