George City is Penang’s fundamental vacationer draw. Its metropolis heart is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site—with its charming, old-world shophouses and good-looking colonial buildings. Its recognition with vacationers skyrocketed in 2012 when road artwork and wall murals began showing alongside its age-old partitions.
UNDERSTAND CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN
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| A TYPICAL STREET AT GEORGE TOWN’S HISTORIC CENTER IN PENANG |
George City, which is nearly at all times incorrectly spelled as Georgetown, is a metropolis that encompasses the entire of Penang Island. Its heart is Central George City, which is subdivided into the Core Zone Historic Middle, Buffer Zone Historic Middle, Central Enterprise District, and outer George City.
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| CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN’S CBD AREA |
The UNESCO World Heritage a part of George City is definitely solely a seventh in measurement with that of Central George City’s 19-hectare space. Positioned on the easternmost aspect of city, these are the Core Zone and Buffer Zone. Most of George City’s vacationer spots are positioned inside this historic heart, however there’s nonetheless loads to see outdoors these two areas.
HOW TO GET TO CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN
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| GETTING AROUND GEORGE TOWN |
Fast Penang buses goes to and from Central George City with terminus at Komtar Bus Terminal and the Weld Quay Jetty Bus Terminal. There are additionally free CAT (Central Space Transit) Buses that loops round George City’s historic core. Taxis and Seize Automobiles are additionally obtainable within the metropolis, so are colourful trishaws which you can hire for fast excursions across the historic core.
CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN STREET ART
George City is legendary for its road artwork, and it’s really certainly one of its fundamental driving power. A number of vacationers go to Penang to easily pose beside these wall murals. One distinctive facet of George City road artwork is the way it integrates real-world objects with painted ones.
ERNEST ZACHAREVIC
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| ERNEST ZACHAREVIC’S CHILDREN ON A BICYCLE, A PENANG FAVORITE FOR TOURISTS |
It was in 2012 when Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic did Mirrors of George City for the George City Pageant—six murals painted over components of George City that put Penang on the world’s vacationer map. These embrace the now iconic Little Kids on a Bicycle (Armenian Avenue), The Boy and his Bike and Little Boy with a Pet Dinosaur (Ah Quee Avenue), and Boy on a Chair (Cannon Avenue).
LOUIS GAN
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| LOUIS GAN’S BROTHER & SISTER ON A SWING AND CHILDREN PLAYING BASKETBALL |
Just a few of the extra well-known murals in Penang is the work of a deaf-mute Penangite, Louis Gan. Just a few of those are Brother and Sister on a Swing (Step By Step Lane), Kids Taking part in Basketball (Chulia Avenue), and Nostalgic Meal Order (Kinta Alley). These works are inside the Penang road artwork framework of blending real-world objects with artwork.
JULIA VOLCHKOVA
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| JULIA VOLCHKOVA’S THE INDIAN BOATMAN & OLD INDIAN WOMAN ~ PHOTO BY AH WEI FROM FLICKR |
One other outstanding artist that has made it mark in Penang is Julia Volchkova. The Russian artist has performed evocative portraits of Indian individuals. Just a few of her notable works in Central George City are the Previous Indian Lady (Lumut Lane), Indian Water Bearer (Acheh Avenue), and The Indian Boatman (Stewart Lane). Just a few of her larger-than-life work, standing two-storeys excessive, will also be seen at Balik Pulau—which isn’t a part of Central George City, by the best way—are The Previous Fisherman, The Silat Grasp, and The Rubber Tapper.
101 LOST KITTENS
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| ONE OF THE ORIGINAL TWELVE 101 LOST KITTENS |
Painted by the group Artists for Stray Animals are a collection of twelve cat-inspired road artwork and murals alongside the streets of Central George City to boost consciousness concerning the strays within the metropolis. A few of the extra well-known of those are The Actual Bruce Lee Would By no means Do This (Ah Quee Avenue), Cats Strolling for Animal Consciousness (Seashore Avenue), and I Can Assist Catch Rats (Armenian Avenue).
PENANG IRON ROD STREET ART
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| ONE OF THE 52 QUIRKY IRON ROD STREET ART IN CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN |
Unfold out all alongside George City are 52 metallic rod artworks depicting humorous native scenes within the metropolis. The rods are bent and curved to create outlines, ala comedian caricature-style, and are created by KL-based artwork studio, Sculpture At Work in 2013.
CLAN JETTIES OF PENANG
Positioned on the jap a part of the George City historic heart, alongside Weld Quay, are six jetties made well-known by homes on stilts that stand beside its wood walkways. Pengkalan Weld was a part of a reclaimed space within the late nineteenth century and the jetties that jutted out of it had been the product of Chinese language staff employed alongside the harbor. Every floating village had been named after the clans that occupy it.
YEOH JETTY
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| YEOH JETTY ~ PHOTO FROM GOOGLE MAPS |
The southernmost jetty from the bunch. Like a lot of the clan jetties, Yeoh Jetty is constructed through the late nineteenth century. Its buildings are located on the shallower portion of the ocean and the pylons that help the homes can really be seen standing on mudflats because the tide ebbs.
NEW JETTY
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| A VIEW OF NEW JETTY FROM CHEW JETTY |
As with the identify, that is the most recent of the six jetties. Constructed through the sixties, it’s also the smallest—sheltering solely twenty two homes. Additionally it is referred to as the Combined Clan Jetty, for the reason that residents listed below are, properly, composed of combined clans.
LEE JETTY
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| LEE JETTY ~ PHOTO FROM GOOGLE MAPS |
Constructed by laborers from China’s Fujian Province, Lee Jetty is the shortest of the six. This is without doubt one of the least industrial of the jetties and is finest visited through the evenings, with its plethora of colourful lights and lanterns lighting the pier.
TAN JETTY
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| TAN JETTY’S MAZU TEMPLE ~ PHOTO FROM GOOGLE MAPS |
The Tan Jetty is exclusive to the opposite six as it’s dwelling to Chinese language fishermen reasonably than descendants from coolies or laborers from yesteryears. Additionally it is the longest of the six, with a railless wood pier extending seaward and ending on a nondescript purple temple for Mazu, the Goddess of Seafarers.
CHEW JETTY
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| CHEW JETTY’S BUSY WALKWAY |
The oldest, most populated, and hottest of the six jetties, Chew Jetty is as industrial as it might get. A lot of the residences that entrance its wood path are actually transformed into outlets, eating places, and even lodgings for vacationers. There are additionally a little bit of road artwork that may be discovered on a couple of of the sea-worn wood partitions of its stilt homes.
LIM JETTY
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| LIM JETTY, QUIET BUT STILL INTERESTING |
Rebuilt after being destroyed through the Second World Struggle, Lim Jetty is the northernmost of the six Penang jetties. The households residing right here migrated from China’s Hokkien Province through the early 1900s. Its buildings are composed primarily of residences, with out outlets and eating places for vacationers, however no much less fascinating.
CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN MUSEUMS
Penang has tons of museums catering to all walks of life—for teenagers to adults, from artwork to whimsical, meals to faith, and random stuff, like, ghosts. Based on Google Maps, Central George City has a minimum of twenty museums so far. And for brevity, let’s simply listing the 5 most fascinating museums in Central George City.
BATIK PAINTING MUSEUM PENANG
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| BATIK PAINTING MUSEUM ~ PHOTO FROM GOOGLE MAPS |
Housed inside an eclectic Straits Settlement-model shophouse, the three-story Muzium Lukisan Batik Pulau Pinang holds a minimum of eighty batik work performed by twenty 5 Malaysian artists. Excellent for people who find themselves into distinctive native artwork.
PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION
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| PENANG PERANAKAN MANSION ~ PHOTO BY SUPANUT ARUNOPRAYOTE FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS |
Peranakans typically consult with individuals with combined Chinese language and Malay blood. And the grand fusion of those cultures could be seen on the quite a few artifacts and the interiors of the Pinang Peranakan Mansion.
For a deeper understanding of Peranakan Tradition, a go to to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a should. And for the reason that museum was additionally featured as one of many Pit Stops for the sixteenth season of The Superb Race, it’s additionally a must-visit for The Superb Race followers as properly.
ASIA CAMERA MUSEUM
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| THE ASIA CAMERA MUSEUM |
The Asia Digital camera Museum is split into three sections—the Darkish Room, the place you possibly can discover methods to really develop an image from movie; the Digital camera Restore Office, the place you may get your palms on instruments used to restore cameras within the sixties; and at last the Digital camera Assortment, the place you possibly can really maintain a whole lot of vintage and classic cameras and tools. There aren’t many museums devoted to cameras, so a go to is a should for images lovers.
WONDER FOOD MUSEUM
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| LARGER THAN LIFE FOOD AT WONDER FOOD MUSEUM PENANG ~ PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE |
Penang, being certainly one of Malaysia’s culinary facilities, after all has a museum devoted to meals. If you happen to haven’t had sufficient of consuming round Penang, then delve right into a playful world of meals on the Surprise Meals Museum. Right here, outsized Malaysian dishes are displayed, prepared for you and the ‘gram. However in case you’re not into that, there are additionally extra severe sections within the museum which discover concerning the historical past and heritage of Malaysian delicacies.
PENANG STATE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
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| PENANG STATE MUSEUM & ART GALLERY ~ PHOTO FROM THEIR WEBSITE |
Housed in a Malaysian heritage constructing, the Penang State Museum and Artwork Gallery has a powerful assortment of recent and up to date Malaysian artwork—from work, sculptures, pictures, and even video movies and previous maps. It additionally has a rotating gallery that options each native and worldwide artists. For artwork lovers, that is the museum to go to in Penang.
CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN TEMPLES & MOSQUES
Central George City is dwelling to quite a few temples. Malaysia’s multi-cultural aspect can be mirrored with the city’s numerous home of worships—from Muslim mosques, Burmese temple, Thai wats, Christian church buildings, and Hindu mandirs. There are most likely 100 worship locations in Penang, and listed below are a couple of of essentially the most fascinating ones. Notice that Ke Klok Si, the most important Buddhist temple in Malaysia, isn’t listed right here because it’s actually not positioned in Central George City.
KAPITAN KELING MOSQUE
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| KAPITAN KELING MOSQUE IN GEORGE TOWN |
Arguably the most well-liked mosque in Penang, Masjid Kapitan Keling is a nineteenth century Indian Muslim mosque. It’s the largest mosque in Penang and sports activities an Indian-Moghal structure. It options an enormous central dome offset by two smaller ochre ones. A separate minaret stands independently off its left flank.
LEONG SAN TONG KHOO KONGSI TEMPLE
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| ORNAMENTATION OVERLOAD AT THE KHOO KONGSI TEMPLE |
Probably the most ornate temple this aspect of Malaysia, the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Temple—or just Khoo Kongsi Temple—is definitely a part of a Hokkien clanhouse clustered round a granite-paved sq.. It was in-built 1906 for the Khoos—a rich Chinese language clan in Penang.
PENANG SNAKE TEMPLE
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| AN ACTUAL SNAKE AT PENANG’S SNAKE TEMPLE ~ PHOTO BY WILFORD PELOQUIN FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS |
Often known as Temple of the Azure Clouds, Penang’s Snake Temple certainly has stay snakes inside its halls, which the devoted believes to be the reincarnation of Grasp Qingshui’s disciples. It was constructed in 1805 and is dwelling to quite a few de-venomed pit vipers, amongst different snakes.
WAT CHAYAMANGKALARAM
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| THE RECLINING BUDDHA AT WAT CHAYAMANGKALARAM IN GEORGE TOWN |
The Chayamangkalaram Temple is a Theravada Buddhist temple constructed for the Thai neighborhood through the 1800s. It options one of many world’s longest reclining Buddha. Like most wats in Thailand, additionally they have fun the festive Songkran Water Pageant round this space.
DHAMMIKARAMA BURMESE TEMPLE
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| GIANT STANDING BUDDHA AT PENANG’S ONLY BURMESE TEMPLE |
Proper throughout the Thai temple is the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple. It’s additionally a Theravada Buddhist temple, however it’s the solely Burmese temple in the entire of Penang. In-built 1803, it contains a conventional Burmese stupa and an enormous Standing Buddha. The temple additionally have fun the Thingyan Pageant, an identical water pageant that nearly coincides with its neighbor’s Songkran Pageant.
ARULMIGU BALATHANDAYUTHAPANI TEMPLE
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| THE HINDU WATERFALL HILLTOP TEMPLE ~ PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE |
Popularly often known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, the Balathandayuthapani Temple is a Hindu mandir constructed on a hill high close to the Penang Botanical Backyard. With its seven-storey excessive gopuram tower, it’s the largest Lord Mururgan temple outdoors of India.
PENANG OLD PROTESTANT CEMETERY
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| PENANG’S OLD PROTESTANT CEMETERY |
Whereas not likely a spot of worship, the previous Protestant Cemetery is an fascinating and exquisite—in a somber manner—place to go to when in Central George City. Often known as Northam Highway Cemetery, it was established in 1786 and is a historic disused Protestant graveyard crammed with ornate tombs and statues surrounded by a grove of aromatic frangipani timber.
CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN HISTORIC BUILDINGS
With Penang’s colonial previous, Central George City is replete with stately authorities buildings. And despite the fact that the island has been bombed and strafed by the Japanese Imperial Forces through the Second World Struggle, a couple of historic buildings nonetheless stay intact.
MALAYAN RAILWAY BUILDING & CLOCK TOWER
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| GEORGE TOWN’S MALAYAN RAILWAY BUILDING & CLOCK TOWER |
Probably the most imposing colonial period constructing in the entire of Penang, the Malayan Railway Constructing served as a railway ticketing station for individuals touring by way of the Prai Railway Station. It’s fascinating to notice that again then, individuals have to buy their tickets right here earlier than taking a ship to the mainland, the place the precise railway station is. In-built 1909, the Edwardian Baroque-style station is 73 meters lengthy with a forty five meters tall clock tower with a large two-ton bell.
PENANG CENTRAL FIRE STATION
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| PENANG CENTRAL FIRE STATION’S RED AND WHITE FACADE |
Additionally in-built 1909 is Penang’s first Central Fireplace Station. It’s a four-storey constructing painted in immaculate white with purple highlights. It has a Classical cum Edwardian cum Mughal architectural model. Its floor flooring has a mini museum open for guests, and an precise fireplace truck the place you possibly can sit in.
PENANG CITY HALL & TOWN HALL
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| EVENING VIEW OF THE PENANG TOWN HALL |
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| THE LIGHTED FACADE OF PENANG CITY HALL |
Positioned proper subsequent to one another are two of essentially the most stunning buildings in Penang, the Penang City Corridor and Penang Metropolis Corridor. The City Corridor was constructed in 1880 whereas the Metropolis Corridor adopted 23 years later. Each have ornate Palladian and Edwardian Baroque façade.
FORT CORNWALLIS
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| FORT CORNWALLIS ENTRANCE ARCH |
Penang’s Fort Cornwallis was in-built 1786 when the British took Penang from the Sultan of Kedah. Its current type of brick and stone was completed in 1810. There are quite a few cannons contained in the fort in addition to a 21-meter lighthouse—the second oldest in Malaysia.
QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER
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| QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL CLOCK FROM THE ROTUNDA |
Often known as the Jubilee Clock Tower, the attractive Moorish-style thirty-meter tall clock tower was constructed to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.
CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN PARKS
George City is positioned in between mountains on the west and the ocean on the east. And in these are sprawling mountain parks, small city pocket parks surrounded by colonial homes, and seaside promenades. Probably the most fashionable parks in George City is Penang Hill, this nonetheless, falls outdoors of Central George City.
PENANG BOTANIC GARDENS
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| PENANG BOTANIC GARDENS ~ PHOTO BY DR. HTGOON FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS |
Established in 1884 from an previous granite quarry by the identical man that supervised the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Penang Botanic Gardens is positioned on the northern outer space of Central George City. The 29 hectare backyard is a well-liked spot for strolling, jogging, and trekking. There’s additionally a 121-meter waterfall within the space, however it might solely be accessed throughout organized guided excursions.
PENANG CITY PARK
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| PENANG CITY PARK’S PUBLIC POOL ~ PHOTO BY VNONYMOUS FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS |
Positioned close to the foot of the Penang Botanic Gardens, the Metropolis Park is a Youth Park. Opened in 1972, it has playgrounds, skating rink, outside auditorium, graffiti partitions, nature trails, reflexology paths, and even a public swimming pool.
COLOR PORT
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| THE COLORFUL COLOR PORT IN GEORGE TOWN |
Located alongside Weld Quay is a colourful seaside promenade dubbed because the COLOR PORT. True to its identify, it’s certainly a colourful park designed to attraction to youthful individuals. In addition to playgrounds for teenagers, it has quite a few meals stalls, café, and buying kiosks.
MBPP WALKWAYS
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| ONE OF THE MBPP WALKWAYS IN GEORGE TOWN |
A challenge of Penang Island Metropolis Council, the MBPP Walkways are metropolis alleys transformed into shiny and colourful linear parks in George City. These areas are often characterised with colourful paving blocks, poles, overhead umbrellas, and shiny lamps.
KOMTAR THE TOP PENANG THEME PARK, RAINBOW SKYWALK, THE GRAVITYZ
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| THE TOP THEME PARK AT THE UPPER FLOORS OF KOMTAR PENANG |
Positioned at Komtar Tower, THE TOP is an indoor kiddie theme park positioned on the higher flooring of Penang’s transport hub. It has quite a few rides, arcade machines, dinosaur park, carousels, 7D theater, and eating places.
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| PENANG RAINBOW SKYWALK ~ PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE |
It additionally homes the Penang Rainbow Skywalk. At 248 meters excessive, it’s the highest outside glass sky stroll in Malaysia. The 16-meter U-shaped walkway appears over Central George City, all the best way to Tangjung Tokong, Pulau Tikus, Air Itam, and Penang Hill.
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| THE GRAVITYZ ~ PHOTO FROM THEIR WEBSITE |
There isn’t any bungee leaping at Penang’s Rainbow Skywalk, however The Gravityz at Degree 65, does provide a one-hour rope course problem, elevated 239 meters above floor.
FAMOUS CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN STREETS
The entire George City Historic Zone is legendary, however a few of its streets and thoroughfares are extra well-known than others. Listed below are a couple of of the notable ones.
LEBUH KING ~ LITTLE INDIA
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| A STREET FOOD HAWKER IN LITTLE INDIA |
A part of Penang’s Indian enclave, Lebuh King is replete with colours from Indian shops promoting scarves and garments, distinct Indian music, the scent of quite a few spices, and naturally, scrumptious Indian delicacies.
LEBUH ARMENIAN
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| TYPICAL VIEW AT LEBUH ARMENIAN |
Well-known for Ernest Zacharevic’s iconic Little Kids on a Bicycle, Lebuh Armenian is without doubt one of the hottest streets in Penang. It’s dwelling to ornate clan homes, colourful shophouses, eating places, cafés, and museums.
LOVE LANE
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| LOVE LANE BACKPACKER AREA |
The middle quite a few price range hostels in Penang, Love Lane is George City’s backpacker space. Its nook at Lebuh Chulia transforms into a celebration road at night time as bar crowds spill proper into the street. The streets moniker got here from its previous as an space for brothels the place wealthy locals hold their mistresses.
LEBUH CHULIA
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| FOOD PLACES IN LEBUH CHULIA |
Opened in 1798, Lebu Chulia is without doubt one of the oldest roads in George City. It’s a haven for foodies with its multitudes of eating places, bars, and hawker stalls that come alive through the evenings.
JALAN KEK CHUAN
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| COLORFUL SHOPHOUSES IN JALAN KEK CHUAN ~ PHOTO FROM GOOGLE MAPS |
Named as one of many forty of the Most Stunning Streets within the World That Will Cease You in Your Tracks by Home Stunning, Jalan Kek Chuan is host to colourful rows of shophouses sporting a uniform architectural design painted with the colours of the rainbow. The view is especially stunning and hypnotic alongside its sidewalk arcade.
CENTRAL GEORGE TOWN FOOD STREETS
Evenings are particular in Penang—choose streets are closed to motorized visitors, hawker stalls begin to open store, and the aroma and smoke from varied road meals begins to waft by means of the early twilight.
CHULIA-CARNARVON FOOD STREET
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| A HAWKER STALL AT CARNARVON FOOD STREET ~ PHOTO BY RICHARD LEE FROM FLICKR |
Previously positioned at Lebuh Chulia, the OG Chulia Avenue Meals has moved to an adjoining, much less busy, Lebuh Carnarvon to ease the visitors on Penang’s fundamental avenue. A few of the should tries listed below are the Mom & Son Wantan Mee and Chulia Avenue Curry Mee.
KIMBERLY STREET FOOD NIGHT MARKET
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| YONG TAU FOO AT KIMBERLY STREET FOOD NIGHT MARKET |
Positioned at Lebuh Kimberly, the Kimberly Avenue Meals Night time Market pop up hawker stalls vie face to face with everlasting kopitiams alongside the road. The perfect dishes to order listed below are duck kway chup, yong tau foo, and lok lok.
NEW LANE STREET FOODSTALLS
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| NEW LANE STREET FOOD STALLS |
Lorded over by a three-storey tall mural of a boy lovingly consuming his soup, the New Lane Avenue Foodstalls hawkers stall alongside Lorong Baru will get busy as night time settles in Penang. Should tries embrace the Charcoal Seafood Char Koay Teow and Hokkien Mee with Lor Mee.
