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As Malaysia’s fourth most-populated city, Georgetown is the colourful, multicultural capital of Penang Island. Once an eminent trading hub on the Straits of Malacca, the UNESCO-listed city is known for its British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses, temples, mosques and pristine beaches. Beyond the old town, Georgetown is a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping malls.
The entirety of Georgetown is overlooked by Penang Hill, offering forested hiking trails, campsites and a funicular railway. Georgetown boasts some of Southeast Asia’s best-preserved colonial architecture. The 38-roomed Blue Mansion is Penang’s most famous building, with an indigo facade. Arched windows and colonnades decorate the neo-Baroque City Hall. Fort Cornwallis, Malaysia’s biggest fort, showcases its star-shaped bastion enclosing a park. Nearby is Esplanade, Penang Clock Tower, and St George’s, Asia’s oldest Anglican church.
Seek blessings at Wat Chayamangkalaram, Mahamariamman Temple, and Masjid Kapitan Keling. Peer into Georgetown’s local soul at the Penang Road Market, where tourists shop for souvenirs, traditional garments, handicrafts and street food. Then, navigate through alleys bustling with music, clothes and food at Georgetown’s Little India, spread across Chulia, Market and Queen Streets.
Some more must-visit destinations in Georgetown include Chew Jetty’s mysterious overwater Chinese villages, Straits Quay Marina Mall, Penang State Museum, the Rainbow Skywalk glass bridge on George Town’s tallest building, and Gurney Drive Beach.
As Penang’s capital city, Georgetown is a popular destination to splurge on ethnic Malaysian fabrics, chic apparel, handicrafts, homeware, textiles, food, jewellery and souvenirs. Flanked by tourists, shopaholics, fashionistas and foodies alike, here are the best places for shopping in Georgetown.
Packed with opportunities for clubbing, shopping, bar hopping, pub crawls, karaoke, live performances and night safaris, Georgetown's nightlife exposes this multi-ethnic city's colourful character. Most of Georgetown's nightlife centres around Upper Penang Road and Jalan Penang Road.
Here are the best ways to enjoy the nightlife in Georgetown -
Founded in 1786 as the East India Company’s trading port, Georgetown was Southeast Asia’s first British settlement. Georgetown became a major administrative stronghold in 1914, causing the city to be repeatedly attacked during World War II and the Japanese Invasion. With the intermingling of a multi-ethnic populace, Georgetown acquired eclectic assortments of colonial, Chinese and Asian architectural styles and cuisine. Some famous historical monuments here are Blue Mansion, Fort Cornwallis, Town Hall, Hanjiang Temple, and St George’s Church.
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