Penang, Malaysia

On the northwest coast of Malaysia, Penang Island welcomes a blend of cultures. Once a major trading post between China and India for the British East India Company, now a populous UNESCO World Heritage Site, George Town (Penang’s capital) is often overlooked for Singapore - the two were once part of the Straits Settlements group before gaining independence from the British.

On the surface, Penang’s culinary offerings do not differ largely from elsewhere in Malaysia and Singapore, however the island has built its reputation on offering the best versions of dishes - with an extra helping of Thai inspired flavours heating up spice mixes. George Town also stands out among the former British territories for the efforts made to preserve its history, including the success of the Peranakans and local entrepreneurs such as Cheong Fatt Tze.

Chinese shophouses, Mosques, towering Hindu temples and British colonial buildings make a big impact here as building laws prohibit high-rises - preferring not to disturb the foundations of the city’s UNESCO buildings. Instead, Penang gets its modern edge from graffiti which accentuate the relics of the past. While a well-preserved history pulls crowds from the hawker stalls inside, wild jungle and isolated beaches steal visitors away to enjoy a moment to marvel at the tropics.

a real bike is stuck to a wall and two children are drawn in graffiti above as though they are riding. The wall is worm and next to a wall of foliage on the left. — Ernest Zacharevic’s children on a bike street art on Lebuh Armenian.

A blue mansion in Chinese style architecture. The top floor has straw shutters which are opened and the front of the house is decorated with Chinese character, shrubbery and antique rickshaws. — The Blue Mansion, owned by Cheong Fatt Tze who was dubbed “the Rockefeller of China” by the British and the Dutch - when he died in 1916 both nations also ordered flags to be flown at half mast to honour his memory.

Intricate and colourful tiles make interesting mosaic patterns on the rooftop. — Rare chien nien mosaics decorate the exterior of the Blue Mansion. These were restored by craftsmen who had to be brought in from China.

Green leaves from large plants are overlaid on a blue background. — The Blue Mansion was built according to Chinese geomantic principles (Feng Shui) but combined a lot of details and crafts from around the globe.

The front of the blue mansion, a wooden door with Chinese characters is on the right and an antique food cart stands against the wall on the left. — During the nineteenth century, after Cheong Fatt Tze’s death the mansion was not properly cared for and became separate apartments until it was purchased and restored. In 2000 the restoration work earned the mansion the UNESCO ‘Most Excellent’ Heritage Conservation Award.

An iron artwork of a boy standing with two adults next to a giant shoe. — The street (Lebuh Leith) where Jimmy Choo got his start in Penang is celebrated by local artist Baba Chua.

Two men shaking hands in an iron artwork. — Street Art by Reggie Lee honours Lebuh Ah Quee, a street named after Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee who donated his house to the Municipality for vehicular access.

A priest shushes two men shouting below in an iron artwork. — Reggie Lee marks the street where the Portuguese church intersected with the notorious Ghee Hin secret society headquarters.

Pinang Peranakan Museum is housed in a 19th century Chinese home which once belonged to an affluent Peranakan family.

An elephant statue on a ledge surrounded by plants and Chinese characters hung on the walls. — As well as being a house, the museum is rumoured to have been a base for the first Chinese secret society in Penang.

A green wall with a wooden window and ceramic elephants lining the wall with plants resting on their backs. — The Penang Peranakans shared in a variety of customs introduced by the multiple nations in Penang including the science of Feng Shui.

A cartoon wearing a gas mask and holding a no smoking balloon is next to multiple cigarette butts sticking out the wall in a George Town graffiti — Soon after George Town, Penang was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 the Penang State Government started capitalising on world interest and branding itself through the arts.

Street art of a boy placing hands over his mouth and a speech bubble. The speech bubble is empty. To the left are motorbikes and the wall is purple. — Malayan artists Jim Oo Chun Hee and John Cheng created this artwork about learning to speak Hokkien. The floor also contained Hokkien phrases to pair with the artwork.

Campbell House is a boutique hotel inside an old building which has stood on Campbell Street since 1903.

Campbell Street was founded in the mid-19th century as part of George Town’s New Chinatown and became a popular red-light district.

Street art of a boy eating a bowl of Chendol. In front are food carts selling Chendol with a line of customers waiting to be served. — “Having A Bowl of Chendol” by Emmanuel Jarus on Lebuh Keng Kwee in George Town.

A long jetty had houses built on stilts either side of the walkway and fishing gear can be seen hanging on the left. — The Clan Jetties of Penang originally consisted of eight villages built on stilts built by pioneer Chinese immigrants. Only the Chew Jetty still continues to have any clan-related activity.

street art on a stilted house shows a man in a hammock, a child catching fish and another child running. — Folklore by the Sea graffiti at Chew Jetty.

Temple with foliage in the foreground — Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist Temple in Malaysia situated in Air Itam.

A temple roof brightly painted with trees seen in the background. — Kek-lok literally means "supreme joy" in Hokkien (a Southern Chinese language). Si means "temple".

A brightly painted roof in a Buddhist Temple of Penang. — The buildings of the temple complex were sponsored by five leading Chinese business people of Penang known as "Hakka tycoons”, including Cheong Fatt Tze.

Large Bronze Statue is stood in a tall shelter — In 2002 a bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, was opened to the public. It is the tallest Guanyin statue in the world.

Green hills with a city faintly seen in the background — A misty view of George Town from the top of Penang Hill.

A monkey is lying on a roof on Penang Hill and another monkey is walking over with tail in the air. — Dusky Leaf Monkey’s playing on the roof on Penang Hill.

three monkeys stand looking out in Penang with a monkey to the left holding her baby in her chest. — Dusky Leaf Monkeys are also known as Spectacled Langur. The monkey on the left can be seen holding her young.

View from a height with trees in the foreground and a misty city below. — Penang Hill can be accessed via a funicular railway.

Street art of a child on a bike and a child to the left being pulled along. There is a real motorbike stood in front of the wall. — Ernest Zacharevic’s boy riding motorbike and boy walking dinosaur seen side by side on a street in George Town.

Trees seen on a large lake. — Pantai Kerachut beach with a meromictic lake in Penang National Park.

Rocks below a green hill seen from a sea. — Boating along the coast in Penang National Park.

A lake meets the sea in Penang National Park — The meromictic lake meets the sea at Pantai Kerachut beach.

a quiet beach surrounded by green hills — Pantai Kerachut is also home to a turtle sanctuary in Penang National Park.

Two monkeys sit on a tree stump and a third sits below on a sandy floor. — The residents of Monkey Beach in Penang National Park.

A beach hut on a tropical beach with world flags hanging around the huts roof. — A beach hut serving beers and western food on Monkey Beach in Penang National Park.

A wooden jetty stretches into the distance with boats lined up on the left. — The jetty at the entrance of Penang National Park allows you to access beaches via boat.

Looking for restaurant, bar or hotel recommendations in Penang? Maybe our map can help.

Tan Twan Eng’s ‘The Gift of Rain’ from our book club selects is set during the Japanese occupation on Penang.

For more Malaysian destinations check out our photo journal for Sabah (Borneo) & our photo journal for Kuala Lumpur. Or check our our photo journal for Bangkok if you are looking for more places to visit in South East Asia.