Penang Hill Cable Car (artist impression). Photo credit: Penang Hill Cable Car Development Costing an estimated RM367 million, Penang Hill Cable Car is slowly becoming a reality, although there’s still plenty of construction to go before anyone gets to step into a gondola. Work began in 2025 and the first support towers are now appearing…
Halloween isn’t a particularly big celebration in Penang, and if you’re expecting streets full of trick-or-treating children, elaborate house decorations and Halloween events everywhere you turn, you might be disappointed. That said, Halloween is definitely acknowledged here. Horror and gore seem to be far more readily accepted in Malaysia than you might expect, which is…
Penang’s museums and galleries are a wonderfully mixed bag. There are grand museums telling the story of the island, tiny collections hidden inside George Town shophouses, contemporary art galleries and some wonderfully eccentric places that are difficult to put into any particular category. Unlike the big museums found in capital cities, Penang doesn’t have huge…
The streets of George Town are home to a variety of small museums, many of which are located in converted shop houses or heritage buildings. One of the recent additions is The Straits & Oriental Museum, although describing it just as a museum doesn’t really tell the whole story. Instead, it’s like being invited into…
Opened in 2025 in a striking location on Penang’s east coast, Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery is a welcome addition to the island’s arts and cultural scene. The futuristic building is an impressive piece of modern architecture in its own right, perhaps more Singapore than Penang, and dominates a stretch of coastline usually neglected by…
Sitting above Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang Hill is Air Itam Dam. Commissioned in 1962, this dam forms a vital component of Penang’s water supply. There’s an easy going loop walk of 2.8km around the reservoir, which is paved all the way around. It’s slightly undulating, but relatively easy going. Aside from the section…
After being closed for almost nine years for extensive restoration and renovation, the Penang State Museum on Lebuh Farquhar finally reopened in July 2026. Housed in a beautiful historic building in the heart of George Town, the museum has been given a striking visual makeover, with technology very much embraced throughout the visitor experience. After…
Very few tourists venture over to Balik Pulau, on the ‘other’ side of Penang Island, but they’re missing out on seeing a very different side of the island, with wide, open rice paddies, quiet lanes and a more traditional local feel. One way to explore this quieter corner of Penang is by renting a bicycle,…
Penang offers a diverse spa scene, from high-end treatments at beachfront resorts in Batu Ferringhi to simple, budget-friendly massages. Whether you’re craving a luxurious escape or a simple, rejuvenating massage, Penang has a spa to suit every budget. From poolside pampering at five-star resorts in Batu Ferringhi and treatment rooms with panoramic views from George…
There’s no shortage of spas in Penang, but Tower Spa offers something few others can match: treatment rooms with panoramic views across the island. Located on the 67th floor of Komtar, the tallest building in Penang, Tower Spa combines sweeping vistas with a luxury spa experience in one of George Town’s most unique settings. Whether…