Excellent leisure activity in Penang is a stroll through the historic old town of George Town. Simply strolling through the streets, admiring the architecture, and enjoying the sights are a must for any tourist. The entire area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

George Town in Malaysia should be on your travel bucket list. If you prefer historical villages and cities with evocative alleys dotted with heritage buildings. George Town is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cities that mingles with today’s modern lifestyle lusts. It appeals to history buffs and trip photographers, as well as shopaholics and foodies.

5 Reasons To Visit George Town In Penang, Malaysia:

1- UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

George Town has evolved from a little Malaysian town to what it is now over 500 years. Asian and European influences provided this city with a distinct multicultural legacy seen around every corner. With all its beautiful history, George Town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Georgetown has nearly 12,000 historic structures. Including Chinese shophouses, private jetties, churches, temples, mosques, and stately British colonial administrative offices and monuments. Most of these monuments are located in the medieval enclave Lebuh Acheh, so you can easily explore them on foot.

2.  STREET ART

Since its designation as a World Heritage Site ( UNESCO ), George Town has experienced an explosion of street art culture.
It all started with a government-commissioned show named “Sculpture at Work” in 2008.
These are 52 iron works of art that can be seen throughout Old Town and reflect the history of George Town and its people. Other artists were invited to create jobs on the decaying walls of the historic buildings. Many pieces by Ernest Zacharevic and Julia Volchkova stand out.

3 – Coffe Shops

The coffee shop culture in George Town has flourished, as it has in many other Asian towns and cities. George Town’s coffee shops not only provide outstanding coffee, but they also do it in enticing offbeat settings.
The artsy spirit that began on the streets has permeated the interior, fostering the establishment of unique coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants.

The option is to go to a traditional Kedai Kopi store that serves the famed Ipoh White Coffee to which we have become hooked.
Whatever you pick, most coffee shops are located inside one of the numerous Chinese shophouses, allowing you to enjoy a cup of Joe while immersed in Malaysian history!

4- Street food

Penang is well-known across Malaysia for its culinary pleasures. Nothing else compares. In the streets of George Town, there are several delicious dishes from this region of the country. If you’re concerned about eating street food, especially in Malaysia, you shouldn’t worry. Food hygiene standards have significantly improved.

Delicious highlights for less than $1.50 for each dish include:

• Assam Laksa – A sweet and sour noodle soup cooked with fruit juice.
• Char Kway Teow – A spicy dry noodle dish with prawns, cockles, chicken, and shallots.
• Pasenbur –  An Indian salad with potatoes, tofu, fish, and cucumber, covered in a sweet-nutty sauce.
• Popiah – A type of spring roll filled with soybean curd, eggs, vegetable stew, and Chinese lettuce.
• Nasi Kandar – A mixture of amazing curry sauces poured over a mountain of rice.
• Cendol – A shaved ice dessert sweetened with palm sugar and coconut milk. Topped with red beans and sweet corn which actually works!

If you’re looking to try a bunch of local food consider going on a food tour in Penang, you won’t leave hungry. For the highest concentration of street food vendors, head to Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Kimberley, and Medan Renong food court.