Penang, Malaysia 4 days visits

George Town, the biggest city on Penang, is one of two UNESCO towns in Malaysia, definitely worth a short stay to appreciate the history.

Traditional buildings

George Town traditional buildings

The old centre of George Town are lined with rows of over 100 years old 2 floors buildings, very long with a narrow front. These are mostly built by Chinese who immigrated here to work and their descendants have eventually earned enough to build their family home in the British colonial period. 

George Town traditional buildings

They developed their Nyonya culture, being a fusion of Chinese British Malay and Thai influences.
As the buildings are long and narrow, there is always a courtyard in the middle to bring in light and improves air flow. A lot of them are in very poor state and badly need attention.

The Blue Mansion

Those that are well renovated are mostly tourist shops, restaurants or hotels.
A number can be visited like The Blue Mansion, a boutique hotel with a restaurant, a nice treat from eating in the small eateries in the street.

The Blue Mansion

There is a Nyonya street map to show key buildings, shops, restaurants and cake shops.

Street art

street art

A few years ago a Lithuanian artist started painting in the street, of local people and animals. 

street art

The paintings are lively and quickly become a tourist attraction, even some shops has created paintings nearby to increase tourist traffic.

street art

It is essential to get a Map of street arts to easily locate them.

Outdoor visits - Penang hill, Entopia butterfly farm

Penang Hill Camopy walk

Penang Hill Swing

Penang Hill Crest Circuit

In George Town, by 10am, it becomes hot and humid, making walking around in town quite exhausting. It is nice to be able to escape to the hills to walk around in cooler conditions.

Penang Entopia butterfly garden

Penang Entopia butterfly garden

Penang Entopia butterfly garden

Penang Entopia butterfly garden