Georgetown, Malaysia…A World Heritage Site

And you thought Georgetown was a chic district in Washington, D.C.!  Named after King George III, the Malaysian version was founded as a trading post for the British East India Company in 1786.  It is now the capital of the state of Penang in Malaysia and is considered the most livable city in that country.  Located on Penang Island just off the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia, it is easily accessible by ferry and is a worthwhile stop on your journey up the Malay Peninsula from Singapore to Bangkok.  Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique cultural and architectural features, Georgetown offers visitors a kaleidoscope of Islamic, British Colonial and Malay treasures.

Easily Walkable

Anyone in reasonably good physical condition should be able to easily walk to the major sights in Georgetown.  I began my walking tour at the Hotel Sentral, a great place to stay which will be featured in our next Awesome Accommodations article.  My first stop was the nearby Komtar shopping complex, which also houses the main bus terminal, located at the center of the city.  The 65 story Komtar tower is the largest building in Penang and has four floors dedicated to a shopping mall with two department stores and many shops…a great place to look for some unique gifts and souvenirs.  Some of the most popular items sought by tourists are Batik, a handcrafted fabric with elegant designs highly prized by fashionistas, ceramic pottery, beaded shoes for women and capal, the traditional Malay sandals for men.

Many Historic Sites

Heading east toward the waterfront you will come to the Ferry Terminal on the coastal road known as Weld Quay where you can catch a boat to Butterworth on the mainland.  In this area you will find a conglomeration of architecture, including modern high-rises, Chinese temples and shops and historic European trading houses.  The nearby Malayan Railway Building with its clock tower is a classic example of the heritage buildings that dot Georgetown.  A little farther along is the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Clock Tower and the remnants of Fort Cornwallis.  The fort served as a British military and administrative conclave as far back as the 1700s.  Heading west along the waterfront you will come to the Esplanade, a large grassy park often filled with boys flying kites.  Looking across the green you will see the City Hall and Town Hall, both historic buildings dating back to the 1800s which help make Georgetown a world heritage site.  Interspersed along your walking tour you will see many other historic treasures, including St. George’s Church built in 1818, the old colonial Court House Building, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and the Kapitan Kling Mosque.  If time permits, you’ll want to visit the Penang Islamic Museum and the Penang Museum and Art Gallery.  As you can see, Georgetown on Penang Island off the coast of Malaysia is a cornucopia of culture that you will not want to miss during your visit to this beautiful country.