Georgetown is a busy, dazzling, and predominantly Chinese city, loaded with rickety shophouses, noteworthy pioneer structures and a myriad of trishaws moving foreign guests and local people alike around the labyrinth of expansive boulevards and confined paths.
The local trade highlights lots of indigenous products and skills of Malaysia like;
Crafting rattan weave products, candle and incense making, woodwork skills and fortune-telling are still prevalent, in localities which presumably haven’t changed in a century, while the high rise towers of the present-day or avant-garde site glimmer and charms every visitor to see the fascinating city Georgetown.
Best time to visit Georgetown Malaysia?
The months of December and January are viewed as a decent time to visit Georgetown because it’s not very hot yet there’s a lot of sun.
Then again, be cautioned that like anywhere else on the planet, the climate situations in
Malaysia
in the course of the last few years have been quite unpredictable, so the two months mentioned above ought to just serve as a general rule.
One last thing to consider is
that at whatever time in the middle of April and June, Malaysia
can experience the ill effects of fog brought about by the deforestation in Sumatra and Borneo.
Aside from destroying your shots of taking any type of scene photography, the air can likewise be also really uncomfortable to breathe, avoid traveling to Georgetown around these months.
It makes sense that the months with the best climate pull in the most foreign guests and December and January are considered the peak seasons.
Christmas and New Year are constantly extremely occupied with making things vivacious while the lodgings and bars get occupied over this period.
The low season falls in the middle of May and October (the rainy months).
But if you want to save a great deal of money in hotel accommodations and flights package tours, this is an ideal time.
Yet if you don’t want to be inconvenienced by rains, this is not the best time to explore the city.
Best things to do in Georgetown
Here are a few exciting attractions and my favorite things to do while in
the city of Georgetown, Malaysia:
Pinang Peranakan Museum
The Pinang Peranakan Museum is the former residence of the ancient, Chung Keng Kwee, a Chinese captain with furniture and jewelry of the ancient era.
Converted into a museum, the place has a gorgeous looking teak interior staircase.
Also of great interest is the silver jewelry collection.
It is worthy to be visited because it sums up the history of Penang and allows you to understand the ability of the city to accommodate different populations over time to give birth to a unique and tolerant community.
There are also some reconstructions of domestic environments.
Although this museum is quite expensive by local standards, it is definitely worth it because there is much to see and learn about this rich family.
A free guided tour in English will tell many interesting facts, traditions and customs prevailing at the intersection of many cultures.
More than 1,000 antiques are proudly displayed as the museum recreates the atmosphere of the housing with very interesting exhibits.
Do not forget to visit the Museum of jewelry.
They have very rare collections and you can photograph and film the interiors smoothly and no one will mind you.
The vast house museum with many historic pieces depicts the life of a Peranakan (Chinese) family.
You can sit on the old chairs at home and admire all the artworks.
This impressive building has an extremely rich decor and made real effort o the collection and presentation of the valuable artifacts and objects of everyday life for the Chinese family who once owned it.
It gives every guest a clear idea of the opulent life this wealthy family had when they were residents of this museum.
Don’t forget to visit the private temple on the back as well as the reception area.
It is fairly well done and you can spend an hour if you’re a history buff.
Make sure to go there before the opening hours (9:00 am) to avoid long lines.
The staff speaks English and there are also English maps and guides to assist you.
The museum charts the different waves of immigration from the island of Penang.
It is interesting to see the period clothing for both Malay and Chinese culture.
You learn a lot about the area and the inhabitants of the island.
Do not miss, it is a must see attraction in Georgetown.
My favorite stuff to do in Georgetown
The Camera Museum
At the entrance to The Camera Museum , there is a huge camera that takes everyone to the old times and the beginning of photography.
The atmosphere is intimate, creative, and stimulating to the imagination.
The decor takes visitors to the surroundings with wall art.
Most of the guest take pictures and interact with what is printed on the wall.
It’s fun and the staff are very friendly.
The exhibition on the first floor is fabulous.
It has a shop with a thousand little present to buy as a souvenir of this unique space.
You can take many pictures and enjoy the cozy atmosphere that is small but filled with great quality exhibits about the evolution of camera from all over the world.
The museum about cameras is an interesting idea and you will never see anything like it.
The exposition is small but you can spend an hour to leisurely explore it all, there are interesting examples of photographic equipment gathered from anywhere around the world.
It is an ideal museum for people who are particularly fond of photography.
The creators of the museum put their heart and souls in making this site a very informative and pleasant place.
After visiting the museum, you can stay in the cafe on the first floor.
This is a really cool museum in Georgetown and very relevant and unwittingly brings a smile.
You can view all photos, be sure to read the labels and funny comments, get to the heart of newspaper clippings, and smile.
Half of the museum is free, but for the deep pass there is a corresponding entrance fee.
Fun things to do in Georgetown
Dharmikarama Burmese Temple
The Dharmikarama Burmese Temple is a Buddhist sanctuary that is located in front of the Wat Chayamangkalaram (the temple with the Reclining Buddha) and it can be visited one after another in just a couple of hours.
The easiest and fastest way to get there is certainly by taxi from the central part of Georgetown.
It is a grand and diversified temple designed in Burmese style with rich graphics and architectural outline.
Read along the story of Buddha on its beautiful murals.
Strolling around it is easy to meet monks and nuns who, for a small donation make it available to bless the faithful and not.
The temple is very popular to pilgrims and devotees.
This temple is located on the outskirts of Georgetown and the accessible bus takes around 15 minutes from Lebuh Chulia.
It is open from 5:00am to 6:00 pm and admission is free.
The Burmese
temple Dharmikarama is the only Burmese Buddhist temple that is located outside of Myanmar
.
The temple was built in 1805 and is in good condition.
Inside highlights the Bodhi tree, pond wish, image protector’s world, Buddha figures and especially the rich decoration of the temple.
It is a must visit in Georgetown, along the Burmese temple after visiting just cross the street to see the Thai temple which is also worthwhile.
The visit to both temples can be done in an hour without rushing.
The area is fairly quiet and tourists are visiting these temples in pious silence.
On the way back you can stop at the Komtar bus station and stop for some refreshment in the area or do some shopping.
Popular Georgetown tourist attractions
Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
The Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple is located on the outskirts of Georgetown and to access this place you must ride the bus that takes about 10-15 minutes to arrive from the city center.
This Buddhist temple is open from 6:00 am to 17.
30 pm and admission is free.
This is a Thai temple that was built since 1900.
Its current appearance is now like a modern Thai Buddhist structure with detailed architectural designs.
Inside stands a figure of the reclining Buddha that is over 30 meters long and recognized as one of the largest in the world.
The church’s interior is covered with gold leaf which is common in this type of construction.
The area where the temple is located is very quiet and there is hardly any movement of tourists.
Directly opposite is another temple to visit, the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple done in Burmese style.
Visit fully recommended on the two temples there together, one Thai and one Burmese, both tours can be done in an hour.
What else to do in Georgetown?
Kek Lok Si Temple
The Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the best
Buddhist temples you can visit in Georgetown, Malaysia
.
It is located on a hill that is about 40 minutes by bus from downtown Georgetown or 20 minutes by taxi but the visit is worthwhile.
Moreover, enthusiasts will enjoy the souvenir shopping adventure because the site has plenty of shops around.
You can visit and see it in daylight, but it is also recommended seeing the temple at dusk with lights.
It looks stunning even from afar.
The Kek Lok Si temple is located at the Crane Mountain and offers stunning views over Georgetown.
That alone makes the ride on the lift / funicular worthwhile if you choose to arrive via cable car.
The complex is well maintained and very impressive.
At the bottom of the giant Buddha you will feel small but at the top of the large pagoda (7 stories high) you will feel great as you admire the view of Georgetown.
To climb this site you have to be a good walker and have strong knees because there are only stairs to use.
Is Georgetown worth visiting?
Yes Georgetown is worth visiting, because it is such a beautiful city.
Don’t forget to visit this place:
Penang Hill
The lovely trip to Penang Hill requires the ride to bus 204 for 4 RM to the other side of the city.
It is very green at the entrance because of the lush vegetation.
The train station is clean and charges for 30 RM per person as base fare to Penang Hill.
The wait time takes about 10 minutes.
On the way to the train, you can browse for pictures and take a look back in time and see how Georgetown used to look like.
Make sure you sit in the front then you have the best view!
On top of the hill you can see monkeys, lots of nature and green.
It is also lined with banana trees and small palms.
On the way there is an old children’s playground with lots of fun and challenging rides.
Then you can pass along the temple and a mosque that can only be viewed from the outside.
There is also a platform where you can take pictures with your loved one with the word love and a clasp to fasten to the gate.
In short Penang Hill is a nice trip for all ages.
It is a must see attraction if ever you’re in Georgetown.
What else to see in Georgetown?
Khoo Kongsi
The Khoo Kongsi is one of the most fascinating parts of
George Town because of its history
.
This sanctuary is named after the clan that he founded and where he resided.
Actually, the current one is the third version of the temple, built on the ashes of the second version and the most opulent, which burned down a few days after his inauguration.
The people believed that the unfortunate event was attributed to God’s anger, because the wealth of the sanctuary had become disproportionate.
So the clan decided to rebuild a more sober version of the temple, much more similar to the original, although the altars for the offerings, ornaments and finishes in gold foil, frescoes and carved walls hardly allow to imagine a more beautiful sanctuary as it is today.
The site is really nice and offers a taste of China.
Both the main building and the large square with old houses are living a special atmosphere.
What made this site also interesting is the little museum located at the
ground floor explaining the history of the Chinese clans, on how they arrived in Malaysia
and their customs and traditions.
It is a magnificent site, located not far from the pier in Georgetown.
Many consider this as a temple for the refinement and splendor of Chinese architecture; it was instead the headquarters of the Chinese clan Khoo Khongsi at the timing of their heyday.
Everything about their clan is there to see.
On the road here, there are many Chinese shops that are well kept.
Popular places to visit in Georgetown
Cannon Street
The Cannon Street of Georgetown is more of a short street and looks very typical for the whole city.
One can find small shops and restaurants where you can eat and drink well.
The atmosphere is better and filled with people the more it gets closer towards the evening hours.
Nearby you will also find interesting temples and shops where you can spend a lot of time.
As you stroll, there are so many murals or street art on these streets that are really interesting!
Either on the wall or walls of the street, there is an art hat you can stop and admire.
And not just graffiti wall, but art images that have been aged for decades since the colonial era.
There are art designed with the use of light, especially the one with children and a motorcycle image on one wall.
In addition to street arts / murals there are plenty of stores with tea/ coffee shop with cheap souvenirs and lots of dining area.
Another thing to admire about is most of the streets are clean and well maintained.
Things to do in Georgetown with kids
Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple
The Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple is a Hindu temple built on the steep hills of Georgetown.
You need a big enough effort to reach the temple Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani or Waterfall Hill Temple because you need to climb a flight of 500 steps from the stairs where it is the only way.
Along the way there are some wise words such as “Faith is the best friend on the way” in Hindi and English.
When you reach the top, the nice view towards the city can be seen quite clearly.
The temple is fairly well-kept, but be sure to get there before it close at 3:00 pm.
Penang Botanical Gardens
The Penang Botanical Gardens is an exotic garden filled with white monkeys, monitor lizards and thousands of plant species to be discovered.
There is a separate area here that is dedicated
to the saprophytic plant collections in Malaysia
.
It is considered one of the best botanical gardens in the world with a very rich and varied flora.
Besides being an area where most of the townsfolk of Georgetown do their daily exercises and various types of physical activities.
The Botanical Garden is located on the outskirts of Georgetown.
There is a large
car park
and admission is free.
The garden is well maintained.
There are plenty of macaque monkeys and glasses.
They want to be fed, although you should not overdo it, because the macaques are quite rude.
Furthermore, you can also see numerous, smaller lizards that walk on the lawns.
The botanical garden is nestled in peace at its edges in the surrounding rainforest.
My vacation activities in Georgetown
Georgetown is a very special place that holds a mix of the three diverse cultures (
India, China, and Malay) that greatly contributed
to Malaysia’s rich cultural history and traditions.
It has a row of revered sanctuaries and temples that are all worth the time and effort.
The challenging landscape is not a deterrent to the flock of
tourists that visit this wonderful town
in Malaysia.
Georgetown is the kind of place that must be seen and explored with strong faith and determination.
