George Town World Heritage Site
The historic core of George Town, inscribed by UNESCO in 2008 together with Melaka.
George Town World Heritage Site
The historic core of George Town, capital of Penang, was inscribed by UNESCO on 7 July 2008 together with Melaka as the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca. UNESCO recognised the two as multicultural trading towns, as living testimony to Asian traditions and European colonial influence, and for their range of shophouses and townhouses. The site has a 109.38-hectare core zone and a 150.04-hectare buffer zone, with 5,013 buildings and 37 places of worship. It is a lived-in district to walk, not a single ticketed attraction.
Explore George Town World Heritage Site on the map
City locations, drawn from our published destination data. Attractions, hotels and restaurants are not mapped yet.
What to look for
The managing body groups the site's landmarks into places of worship, clan houses, trade guilds, clan jetties, historic buildings and monuments.
Streets and communities
- The Street of Harmony along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, where mosques, Chinese temples, Indian temples and churches stand close together.
- Little India, and the Chowrasta and Campbell Street markets.
- The Clan Jetties off Weld Quay: wooden houses built on stilts over the sea.
- Rows of shophouses and townhouses, the building type UNESCO singled out.
Landmarks listed by Penang Global Tourism
- Fort Cornwallis, which it describes as the largest standing fort in Malaysia.
- Penang Town Hall, Penang City Hall and the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, two restored mansions.
- Sun Yat Sen Museum Penang.
Getting around the site
Penang Global Tourism puts the site at about 2.5 square kilometres.
On the ground
- The tourism bureau says the site is compact enough to explore on foot, by bicycle or by trishaw.
Practical points
The streets are open public space; mansions, clan houses and museums inside the site keep their own hours and admission terms.
Live Traveller's advice
- Walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon; much of the route is unshaded street.
- Dress modestly if you plan to enter mosques and temples, and check each one's visiting arrangements on the day.
- Allow at least half a day; a full day lets you add one mansion or museum.
- Suits travellers who like walking, architecture, street food and photography more than rides or shows.
Elsewhere on Penang Island
These two are on Penang Island but outside the heritage core, and need a separate half day.
Frequently asked
Plan your journey
Our travel designers turn knowledge and inspiration into a journey crafted entirely around you.
Plan My Journey →