20 Sights in George Town, Malaysia (with Map and Images)
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Welcome to your journey through the most beautiful sights in George Town, Malaysia! Whether you want to discover the city's historical treasures or experience its modern highlights, you'll find everything your heart desires here. Be inspired by our selection and plan your unforgettable adventure in George Town. Dive into the diversity of this fascinating city and discover everything it has to offer.
Sightseeing Tours in George TownActivities in George Town
The Kek Lok Si Temple is a Buddhist temple within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located at Ayer Itam, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia. The entire complex of temples was built over a period from 1890 to 1930, an inspirational initiative of Beow Lean, the abbot. The main feature of the complex is the seven-story Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda commissioned by the late Thai king Rama VI, featuring 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of Buddha and the 36.57-metre-tall (120 ft) bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. The 10,000 Buddhas concept belongs to the Chinese Mahāyāna school of Buddhism while Rama VI was king over a Theravāda country and Buddhist tradition.
Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is a Theravada Buddhist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Situated at Lorong Burma opposite Wat Chayamangkalaram, it is the only Burmese temple in the state, and a focal point for the annual Water, Thingyan and Mid-Autumn festivals in the city, as well as the Buddhist Lent.
The Kapitan Keling Mosque is a mosque built in the 19th century by Indian Muslim traders in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is situated on the corner of Buckingham Street and Pitt Street. Being a prominent Islamic historic centre, it is part of the World Heritage Site of George Town and lies at the centre of the city's Tamil Muslim neighbourhood, the chulias. It is the first permanent Muslim institution to have been established in the area, dating from the early 1800s. Cauder Mohuddeen Merican is known as the founder of the mosque and leader of the Chulias. In 1801 Sir George Leith, who was then Lieutenant Governor of Penang, appointed a prominent Indian Muslim leader, Cauder Mohudeen, as Captain of the South Indian “Keling” community. He granted a piece of land to build a mosque on the south side of Malabar Street. Cauder Mohudeen was a ship mandoor or foreman from Porto Novo, which the Tamils called Parangipettai and the Muslims Mahmudbandar, about 50 kilometres south of Pondicherry in India. He was referred to as 'Kapitan Kling'.
4. The Cenotaph War Memorial
The Cenotaph is a war memorial on Whitehall in London, England. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it was unveiled in 1920 as the United Kingdom's national memorial to the dead of Britain and the British Empire of the First World War, was rededicated in 1946 to include those of the Second World War, and has since come to represent the Commonwealth casualties from those and subsequent conflicts. The word cenotaph is derived from Greek, meaning 'empty tomb'. Most of the dead were buried close to where they fell; thus, the Cenotaph symbolises their absence and is a focal point for public mourning. The original temporary Cenotaph was erected in 1919 for a parade celebrating the end of the First World War, at which more than 15,000 servicemen, including French and American soldiers, saluted the monument. More than a million people visited the site within a week of the parade.
5. Sri Maha Mariammam Temple
The Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple is a Hindu temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. The oldest Hindu temple in the state, it was built in 1833, and features sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and facade.
6. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a government gazetted heritage building located on Leith Street in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The mansion's external decorations and indigo-blue outer walls make it a very distinctive building, and it is sometimes referred to as The Blue Mansion. Built by the merchant Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of the 19th century, the mansion has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. It served as Cheong's private residence as well as the seat of his business activities in Penang.
7. Chayamangakalaram Temple
Wat Chayamangkalaram, also known as the Chayamangkalaram Buddhist Temple, is a Theravada Buddhist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Situated at Lorong Burma opposite the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, it is the oldest Siamese temple in the state. Wat Chayamangkalaram becomes a focal point for the annual Songkran, Loy Krathong and Vesak Day festivities within the city.
8. Church of the Assumption
The Church of the Assumption is a Roman Catholic church within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Established following the founding of George Town in 1786, it is the third oldest Catholic church in Malaysia. The church was also the seat of the bishop of Penang from 1955 to 2003.
9. Penang Botanic Gardens
The Penang Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Situated at Jalan Air Terjun, it is also colloquially known as the Waterfall Gardens because of the cascading waterfall nearby.
10. Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
The Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi or "Khoo Kongsi" for short, is the largest Hokkien clanhouse in Malaysia with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture, a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Penang, Malaysia. The famous Khoo Kongsi is the grandest clan temple in the country. It is also one of the city's major historic attractions. The clan temple has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite-paved square. It is located in Cannon Square in the heart of the oldest part of the city of George Town, in the midst of narrow, winding lanes and quaint-looking pre-War houses exuding a palpable old world charm.
11. Church of the Immaculate Conception
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic church within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. The church was founded in 1811 and is the second oldest church in the diocese after Church of the Assumption.
12. Goddess of Mercy Temple
The Goddess of Mercy Temple, also known as Kuan Im Teng or Kong Hock Keong, is a Mahayana Buddhist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located at Pitt Street, it was built in 1728, making it the oldest Buddhist temple in the state.
13. Sun Yat Sen Museum Penang
The Sun Yat-sen Museum Penang formerly called the Sun Yat-sen Penang Base, is a museum in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The museum is dedicated to Sun Yat-sen, a Chinese nationalist who established the Republic of China after his efforts in the Xinhai Revolution.
14. Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi
Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi is a Hokkien clan house at Beach Street in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It was founded in the early 19th century by a Tan family from the Fujian province of Zhangzhou in China. The building is a place of worship devoted to Kai Zhang Sheng Wang or Tan Goan-kong (陳元光), the founder of Zhangzhou, and his two deputies, Generals Fushun and Fusheng. It was also the ancestral temple of Tan clansmen for the purposes of cultural integration. Members of the Tan family worship their ancestor, Tan Guan Kong.
15. Esplanade Grounds
The Esplanade is a seafront city square in the heart of George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. It covers the field adjacent to Fort Cornwallis, known locally as the Padang, and the seaside promenade along the edge of the field. The City Hall faces the Padang, while the Cenotaph is also located along the promenade.
16. Mahindarama Buddhist Temple
Mahindarama Buddhist Temple is a Theravada Buddhist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. The only Sri Lankan temple in the state, it is also one of the select few in Malaysia that houses the relics of the Buddha. The temple becomes a focal point for the annual Vesak Day festivities within the city.
17. Buppharam Buddhist Temple
Wat Buppharam, also known as the Buppharam Buddhist Temple, is a Theravada Buddhist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Situated at Jalan Perak, the temple is the home to a renowned statue of Buddha, the "Lifting Buddha". It becomes a focal point for the annual Songkran, Loy Krathong and Vesak Day festivities within the city, as well as the Jathukarm-Ramathep-Ganesha blessing ceremonies.
18. Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park
The Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park, also colloquially known as the Sia Boey, is an urban archaeology park within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located at Prangin Road, it is touted as the first Urban Archaeological Park in the country.
19. Francis Light Memorial
The Francis Light Memorial is a memorial about Francis Light in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The memorial, located underneath the dome, reads: "In memory of Francis Light ESQ who first established this island as an English settlement and was many years governor. Born in the county of Suffolk in England and died October 21st, 1794. In his capacity as governor, the settlers and natives were greatly attached to him and by his death had to deplore the loss of one who watched over their interests and cares as a father."
20. City Park
The City Park, also colloquially known as the Youth Park, is an urban park within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located near the Penang Botanic Gardens, the City Park was opened in 1972 as a recreational area and a green lung for the city's residents.
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