THINGS TO DO
Penang Hill Fort Cornwallis
Set 821 metres above the capital, Penang
Hill is known locally as Bukit Bendera and
is generally about five degrees cooler
than Georgetown. It’s the last patch of
tropical rainforest in Penang, so the flora
and fauna here have been protected
since 1960. Fort Cornwallis is one of Penang’s best
known landmarks. Within its ten-foot-
high walls (which are laid out in the shape
of a star), visitors can see a number of
historical relics, including a 17th century
chapel, prison cells, and an ammunition
storage area. The fort’s old bronze canons
are also a major attraction, including a
Dutch one that superstitious locals believe
has a positive effect on women’s fertility.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Amongst the largest Buddhist temple
complexes in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok
Si Temple stands atop a hill in the little
town of Air Itam. Founded more than a
hundred years ago, the complex is filled
with beautifully-landscaped gardens
and sacred temples. A striking seven-
tiered pagoda called The Pagoda of 1000
Buddhas, which combines Thai, Chinese
and Burmese styles in one structure,
houses a stunning collection of Buddha
statues made from precious materials.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
The home of an influential Chinese
industrialist in the early 1890s, the
award-winning Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
represents the best of 18th and 19th
century Chinese architecture. Relying
heavily on feng shui design, a team of
master craftsmen from China took more
than seven years to build the mansion,
including its five granite courtyards, 38
rooms, seven staircases, and 22 stained
glass windows.
Escape Themepark
Penang’s most exciting amusement park
boasts over 38 rides and attractions, and
its newest water slide has been officially
recognised as the world’s longest tube
water slide.
Penang War Museum
The Penang War Museum in Bukit Batu
Maung was orginally a fort built by the
British in the 1930s. In 1941, it gained
fame when it became the site where the
battle for Penang against the invading
Japanese army was lost. These days,
it’s a museum open to the public and is
billed as Southeast Asia’s largest war
museum.
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Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram
A Thai temple built in 1845, Wat Chaiya
Mangkalaram houses the giant Reclining
Buddha statue. Measuring 33 metres
long, it’s said to be the third largest of its
kind in the world and signifies Buddha’s
total detachment from worldly matters
during the last days of his life. The status
is also famous for reproducing Buddha’s
final resting pose before his death.
Beside the lounging Buddha statue are
smaller Buddha sculptures in various
guises and positions around the temple,
as well as those of Thai deities.
Tropical Spice Garden
The garden is an ode to all the gorgeous
herbs and spices that are indigenous to
this part of the world and sits on the site
of what used to be a rubber plantation.
Penang State Museum
and Art Gallery
The actual museum building is a piece
of history in itself as it’s located in a
traditional colonial building that dates from
1821. Visitors will find a wealth of galleries
here, including an exhibition dedicated to
major events in Penang over the years.
Butterfly Farm
Here visitors will find an amazing 4,000
butterflies and 120 different species, all
of which flutter around in a large and
colourful garden. Some of the species
include rare finds, such as Yellow
Bird Wing butterflies and Indian Leaf
butterflies. The farm also functions as a
conservation centre focused on breeding
and caring for the habitats of endangered
species. n
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