George Town, the capital of Penang state, is located on Penang Island in Malaysia. It is connected to the north-west coast of mainland Malaysia by a 8.4 mile long bridge. There’s also a second bridge which at 15 miles is the longest in Southeast Asia. Here is a guide to the perfect Penang Malaysia itinerary including the best street food, art and love.
History of Penang
Named after Britain’s King George III, George Town is Malaysia’s second largest metropolitan area after Kuala Lumpur. The centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its colonial architecture and distinct culture. Like Kuala Lumpur it can be swelteringly hot to walk around, but there is so much more to look at.
How to plan your perfect Penang Malaysia Itinerary
Where to stay in Penang
For both of my visits to George Town, I stayed in Penang backpacking hostels near the adorably named Love Lane.
According to one of George Town’s historical signs, it’s named after visiting Chinese businessmen who would house their mistresses here. So not quite as romantic as it sounds, but the name still puts a smile on my face.
Browse and book from a wide selection of hostels in Penang here.
What to do in Penang
Check out the street art in Love Lane
The area’s highlights include an array of colourful street art and quirky displays explaining the city’s history.
Climb Penang Hill
We arrived in George Town in the dead of night by taxi, after disembarking the bus from Kuala Lumpur. The driver asked me where I’d been on my previous visit here. He said if I didn’t go to Penang Hill then I hadn’t really seen the city. Apparently I had missed out.
So we duly made the bus journey 6km out of the city centre. We then boarded the funicular to carry us up to the hill resort that lies 833 metres above sea level. Here we found hotels, restaurants, museums, gardens, temples and a mosque. A detailed audio guide gave us insights into the area’s history and natural features. Sadly the cloudy weather covered our views across the city.
One of George Town’s most popular tourist destinations, Penang Hill has a viewing deck and a canopy walk through the hill’s tropical forest. But one feature that is already here took me by surprise: the love locks.
Lock in your love
Around the world, such as in New York and Rome, there are bridges where hundreds of people hang decorated padlocks to declare their love for each other. This is the Penang Hill love lock adaptation, located on an observation deck. On a clear day from here you can see scenic views across the city. A long fence of these permanent romantic gestures leads up to a huge, plant-covered display reading LOVE. Here, you can purchase a padlock, decorate it with coloured pens and seal your love lock where you choose along the fence.
It is wonderfully heart-warming to browse these love locks and see the personal, hand-made statements of romance and dedication. You can even spot keys down beyond the fence where couples have sealed their padlock and thrown away the key.
I adore that Penang has made a dedicated space for love and romance as an antidote to the urban hustle and bustle of this part of Malaysia. It’s perfect for photo opportunities with your loved one or just by yourself.
Penang street food
In Penang, there is an abundance of unbelievable street food, both Eastern and Western. I enjoyed one of the best burgers I have ever eaten from a market stall on Chulia Street. In George Town, there is also a large hawker centre called Red Garden, which offers a huge range of cuisines.
Check out my post on Malaysia’s tastiest street food here.
Next up, check out my guide to backpacking in Malaysia and the best three week itinerary here.