Penang is an island off the western coast of Malaysia and on this trip we stayed in George Town. George Town is the colourful, multicultural capital of the Malaysian island of Penang. Once an important Straits of Malacca trading hub, the city is known for its British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses and mosques. George Town is one of the most religiously diverse city I have ever visited and I am in awe of its harmonious and unique ways of living with each other. This truly is the definition of 'method in its madness'.
Accommodation
There are plenty of luxury hotels in Northern end of the island, but as this is our first trip to George Town we decided to stay in the city at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. The EO Hotel was/is part of the Raffles Group so you can see the same colonial style in the building. It has a somewhat dated charm but it is still regarded as one of the poshest place to stay if you want to be close to the centre. They also provide free self-service drinks between 5:00pm to 6:00pm at their breakfast lounge (next to the pool) which I thought was a nice touch. The rooms are massive and has a great sea view if thats what you chose.
Alternatively, you can stay in one of many heritage building hotels dotted all around town. They provide an authentic cultural experience for you stay but the only down side is often they don't have a pool.
Sightseeing
The town itself is a UNESCO heritage site and it is pretty walkable. We did not particularly plan too much but to wonder around and absorb the unique vibe and architecture this town has to offer. We came here during the end of CNY so many shops were closed. Something to think about before you plan your trip.
Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion
Heavily featured in Crazy Rich Asian, The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a government gazetted heritage building located on Leith Street. 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.
Clan Jetties Of Penang
Busy, scenic destination featuring a traditional village of rustic houses on stilts over the water. The Jetties lie on the eastern side of George town and is certainly a breath of fresh air from the busy city centre. Here you can wonder about on these narrow platforms and buy some random souvenirs. Great place for your Instagram.
Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi
1810 temple built by an ancestral clan featuring ornate Chinese design, with tours & events. It is an interesting building to see how different cultures seep into the everyday object within a distinctively Chinese interior setting.
Armenian Street
Armenian Street is a narrow street within the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Located within the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the road has gained popularity in recent years for its rich cultural offerings and street art.
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Historic Chinese clan temple & museum with detailed architecture, murals & stone carvings.
Restaurants
Chulia Street / Lebuh Chulia
Chulia Street is one of the oldest roads in the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Created soon after the founding of George Town in 1786, it forms a part of the city's Little India enclave ever since, whilst also boasting a multicultural character due to Indian Muslim and Chinese influences. Once evening falls the street is filled with vendors selling street food and fruit etc. Bring your own wet wipes and tissue.
Edelweiss Cafe
Edelweiss Cafe is a specialty cafe in the heritage enclave of Armenian Street. It is housed in a 1860's shophouse built in the early transitional style of the mid 19th century Penang. In the restoration process, the shophouse had a complete make over to return it as closely as possible to its original state. The result is a cafe that opens six days a week offering a menu of German and Swiss specialties. This is a great place for lunch or a coffee to escape from the hustling of the busy town centre.
Kebaya Dining Room
This restaurant is located at the Seven Terraces Hotel. The owner Christopher Ong, a heritage-preserving and award winning hotelier, has worked with the hotel's chefs to create a menu of classic Indo and Straits Chinese Nyonya dishes. Along with Chef Zac and Chef Kent, Kebaya had undergone reinterpretation and de-construction to deliver surprising new twists of elevation in its serving. This is one of the fanciest restaurant in town and it certainly doesn't disappoint in terms of keeping the menu interesting but not offensive at the same time.
Indigo Restaurant
Located on the first floor of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Indigo restaurant is inspired by the man himself, offering a marriage between East and West not just in the setting, but also the cuisine. The interior was designed to complement and enhance the fine dining Penang cuisine which it serves, acting as a reflection of the ever- evolving culinary palette presented by Chef Weng. It was a bit too romantic for us. The food was great but we didn't think why the heck are we having french in Penang.
Love Lane
This is the famous drinking street pack with backpackers and dive bars. Pretty much all of them are has open front so feel free to choose which ever one you want. We went to Micke's Place which seems to be the least trashy out of all of them.
Three Sixty
This rooftop bar/club feels a bit run down but it has good chart toppers for some dancing.
Hawkers Stalls
There are plenty of Hawkers Food Market in Penang and it will be a shame if you didn't try it before you go. The key thing is just be street wise and be open-minded.
Cafes and Tea Shops
There are plenty of hipster cafes around town which I'm sure are decent. We went to one but unfortunately we cannot find the details of the place.
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