George Town
World Heritage Site with a mix of Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian.A city of narrow streets, colonial buildings, and Chinese temples. Savor local street food like char kway teow and sip Kopi C in charming cafes.
George Town, the capital of Penang, Malaysia, is a city rich in cultural heritage. As you walk through its UNESCO-listed old town, you'll see Chinese shophouses, British colonial buildings, and colorful murals adorning walls. The city is home to various religious sites, including temples, mosques, and churches. George Town is also known for its local cuisine, with hawker stalls serving dishes like asam laksa and char kway teow.
Exploring the Old Town
George Town's old town consists of narrow streets and alleys lined with colorful shophouses. You can spend hours walking through this area, observing the architecture and discovering interesting spots. Pay attention to the details on building facades, such as ornate tiles and carved wooden shutters.
Street Art Scene
Since 2012, George Town has developed a notable street art scene. Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic started this trend with his series of murals depicting local life. Now, you'll find artwork throughout the city, including large-scale paintings and small wire sculptures. You can get a map from your hotel or join a guided tour to find the most popular pieces.
Temples and Religious Sites
George Town has various religious buildings representing different cultures. The Kek Lok Si Temple, located just outside the city center, is Malaysia's largest Buddhist temple complex. Its seven-story pagoda incorporates Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architectural elements. In the heart of the old town, you'll see the Kapitan Keling Mosque with its black domes, and the ornate Khoo Kongsi, a Chinese clan house.
Local Cuisine
Food plays a significant role in George Town's identity. The city's culinary scene blends Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, resulting in unique dishes like asam laksa (a sour fish soup) and char kway teow (stir-fried flat noodles). For an authentic local dining experience, visit popular hawker centers like Gurney Drive or New Lane. If you prefer a more upscale setting, try Kebaya at the Seven Terraces hotel, which serves Nyonya cuisine in a restored building.
Getting Around
While you can explore George Town on foot, it can get warm during the day. Consider renting a bicycle to cover more ground or use the free CAT (Central Area Transit) bus that loops around the main tourist areas. Trishaws are another option for seeing the old town's narrow streets, though they're primarily used by visitors.
Best Time to Visit
George Town experiences warm temperatures year-round, with January and February typically being the driest months. However, you should be prepared for occasional showers regardless of when you visit. If you're interested in cultural events, consider planning your trip during the George Town Festival in July and August, which features local and international art performances.
Where to Stay
Many boutique hotels in George Town are housed in restored shophouses. The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion) offers luxurious rooms in a historic setting, while budget-conscious travelers might prefer guesthouses like Muntri Mews or Ren i Tang. If you want modern amenities, several international chain hotels along Gurney Drive have sea views and are close to shopping malls.
![Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km2 and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, covering similar area as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.5 million people as of 2012. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in South-East Asia, in terms of population and economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they were moved to Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still remain in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city. Kuala Lumpur was ranked 48th among global cities by Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index and was ranked 67th among global cities for economic and social innovation by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in 2010.
Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One Grand Prix. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic development [Wikipedia.org] | Johor Bahru in Malaysia](https://humbo.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/place-photo/5ffa2ff19ed1ddb22d235d13/6xc_BMxB-z_thumb.jpeg)
