Georgetown

Description

George Town, the capital of Penang State, is situated on Penang Island in the northwest of Malaysia. This city has been blessed with a unique multicultural heritage, a result of the influences of both Asia and Europe, which can be seen in every corner.

From the vibrant street art to the colonial architecture, George Town is a melting pot of cultures that is sure to captivate any visitor.

Chinese shophouses, private jetties, churches, temples, mosques, magnificent British colonial administrative buildings, and monuments are among the more than 12,000 historic structures in Georgetown. The historical district of Lebuh Acheh has the majority of these structures, making it simple to walk around and investigate.

The city offers excellent facilities for Muslim travellers and is among the most visited destinations in Malaysia. There are several halal friendly hotels in Georgetown where one can find halal facilities.

There are numerous wonderful attractions in the city including the Penang Islamic Museum that is a favourite of travellers.

The KapitanKeling Mosque is among the historic buildings in the city built in the 19th century. The mosque is visited by worshippers all five times of the day all throughout the week.

The history of Georgetown dates to the colonial times and a number of historical buildings can be seen dating to that era. Some of the notable historic buildings include the Fort Cornwallis, which is built on the site where the founder of Penang first landed. A walk down the Armenian Street takes visitors through some of the best historical works of architecture. The Little India quarter in the city has several shops selling religious items.

The Penang Peranakan Mansion is an ideal example of the eclectic style of architecture that was used by the wealthy Peranakan families. The Penang State Museum is also good to visit, as it details the history and heritage of the area.

The main shopping in the city is centred in the street markets of Georgetown. There are several small shops selling affordable accessories and clothing. Visitors should try shopping at the Little Penang Street Market, Little India and at the LorongKulit Flea Market.

The city also features various shopping malls including the Gurney Plaza, Penang Plaza, Queensbay Mall and Island Plaza.

Nearby Airports

The Penang International Airport is the nearest airport to Georgetown.

The airport is located about 16 Km from the city centre. It is the third busiest airport in Malaysia and is well-connected to the major cities of Malaysia and international destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan.

The most affordable way of travelling from the airport to the city is by bus. Buses leave every 30 minutes from the airport between 6:35 AM and 11:00 PM.

Taxis can also be availed from the airport for RM 40-50.

Halal Restaurants

For Muslim travellers Georgetown offers a variety of halal restaurants.

The best halal restaurants in Georgetown include the Sunway Hotel, NS NasiKandar, etc. There are several alleys across the city where visitors can find delicious halal street food.

The Hutton Lane especially has some good halal food stalls where visitors can find authentic Malay cuisine.

Mosques

Georgetown has a number of Mosques. The KapitanKeling Mosque is among the oldest mosques in the city and is known for its typical architecture.

The other prominent mosques in Georgetown include Masjid Pakistan, Masjid Jamek HJ Wahab and Masjid Jamek Sungai.

Things to Do and See in George Town

• KapitanKeling Mosque
• Penang Islamic Museum
• Fort Cornwallis
• Pinang Peranakan Mansion
• Municipal Council of Pulau Pinang Hall
• Cheong FattTze Mansion
• Chew TheanYeang Aquarium
• Penang State Museum
• Clan Jetties
• Penang Hill
• Queen Victoria Clock Tower
• Komtar Scenic View
• Armenian Street
• Little India