www.mieranadhirah.com: 7 things to do in Georgetown, Penang.....

Admire the HERITAGE PRE-WAR SHOP HOUSES....

Take some time if you are in Georgetown, Penang to admire these lovely pre-war shop houses.

Admittedly they do come in many shapes , sizes and conditions, but many has have their old broken elements removed and restored, and remolded to their owner's fancy.

These heritage pre-war shop houses has many hidden treasures with strong history and lots of untold stories within their walls. Even some of the different antique type of patterned coloured tiles tells a story of their own...

It is said that there are currently more then 3,400 pre-war houses/shop houses listed as heritage building dotting the city. These buildings are from different periods and form the largest collection in South East Asia.

While I was admiring these lovely pre-war shop houses, I could certainly imagine travelling back in time in this colonial pre-war townhouses, and that is part of what makes Penang a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Check out the rich HERITAGE area of PENANG

Once a British trading post and settlement, Georgetown is a cultural melting pot that has lots of influences from both its British ties and the influx of immigrants from all around the region... and there are just soooo many amazing heritage sights that you certainly cannot cover all in just a couple of days.... So let me take you on a short tour of some interesting sights I personally covered...

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel was built way back in the year 1885 with more then 100 rooms. In 1927, it claimed the its 842 feet long seafront was the 'longest of any hotel in the world'....

The Convent Light Street here lays claim as to being the oldest girl's school in Malaysia.. It was built on land first occupied by Sir Francis Light for private and official residences.. and well... it can be spooky with things that go bump at night... hehehe...

Fort Cornwallis was said to be once a nibong palm stockade fort built in the year 1786. It was then replaced by a brick structure that came with a moat... back in 1804-1805. The moat was however filled up in 1922...

This City hall was completed in 1903 and occupied by the Municipal Council in 1904. It was renovated for the first time in 1960

Next to the city hall is the Town hall...it was built for social functions such as weddings and parties when it was first opened in 1880. Its rooms were used by the municipal council until 1903, and was a college until its restoration in 2005 where it once again became a venue for civic events...

The St George's church is one of the oldest Anglican church in South East Asia and will celebrate its bicentenary in 2018

The Kapitan Keling Mosque was built in 1803 and named after the Captain of the Indian Muslim community, Kapitan Keling Kadir Mydin Merican who was recognised as the founder

Then there is the Campbell Street Market that was built around 1900 and is one of Georgetown's oldest market......

Take a Trishaw ride....

Your trip to Penang is not complete, if you do not take a ride in a Penang trishaw.

It is a novel and interesting way to see and explore the city of Georgetown in a much slower pace. You will be able to cover every nook and cranny of Georgetown heritage trails using the eco-friendly mode of transportation that are fast gaining popularity among tourist.

You’ll however need to agree on a price with the trishaw driver before getting on. The rule of thumb is about RM40 per hour or about RM10 - 15 for a trip somewhere... We took a trishaw from Penang Road to Fort Cornwallis at the Esplanade for RM15.

There used to be about 1000 trishaws in Penang back in the 70s or 80s which are mostly scattered around Georgetown area, but these has since dwindled to about 150.

The trishaw was the earliest taxi in Penang being the principle mode of transportation for the general public around town, irregardless of social standings.

The nostalgic feeling sitting on top of the three wheeled beca does indeed an unforgettable experience. Besides the novelty of traveling in this open-fronted three wheeled vehicle, trishaw allows visitor the opportunity of visit the sights at a more leisurely pace and stopping at any point to snap picture or to buy souvenirs.

VISIT the CLAN Jetties....

The Clan Jetties are among the oldest Chinese settlements in Penang. The waterfront community is home to various Chinese clans. Each jetty is named after a surname clan, namely the Ongs, Lims, Chews, Lees, Tans and Yeohs. There is also a mixed surname jetty also known as the New Jetty.

It was said that the Clan Jetties were formed in the late 19th century when Chinese immigrants from Fujian , China gathered together and settled down in Penang.

Among the most famous Jetties people visit in Penang are the Chew jetty and the Tan jetty...

Built on stilts over the sea, this traditional Chinese settlement was actually home to the city's early dock workers and fisherfolks. The Chew jetty is normally more commercialized a since Ernest Zachrevic painted a mural there but now the mural is all faded but the visitors are still crowding the area there...

On the other hand, the Tan Jetty is a very peaceful place to head to and very picturesque. Photographers would love the scenery here especially during sunrise ....

SHOPPING at CHOWRASTA MARKET

The Chowrasta market has been in operation since the late 1800s and still continues to be swarmed with locals early in the morning. At the back is a wet market selling fresh meat and produce.

At the front of the market, facing the Penang road, you can find international and local tourists happily stocking up on traditional biscuits, sweets and pickles.

It’s a great spot for souvenirs like nutmeg snacks, and on the second floor, you’ll find secondhand books, funky items, and soak in the great atmosphere.

Admire the MURALS all around the HERITAGE AREA....

The streets of Penang are no longer boring plain facades. It is far from that as each alley or road can lead to interesting discoveries of wall art of some sort.

It is very much like a treasure hunt as you try to find all or as many of the wall art as possible....

There are "Marking Georgetown", which is a collection of 52 wrought iron caricatures that depict everyday life in once upon a time Penang...

as well as a collection Ernest Zacharevic's wall murals....entitled "Mirrors Georgetown" which began the mural craze in the country...

I know I have had lots of fund trying to hunt as many of these murals as I can every time I am in Penang....

They are definitely a major hot spot for photographers and selfie addicts as well...

Check out this online brochure to know where to find your favourite murals...

EAT!!!

To come to Penang and not to partake in the choicest variety of food is a crying shame..Everyone, almost everyone knows that Penang is a food haven....

There is just so much to indulge in.... from Laksa, Nasi Kandar, Fried Oyster, Ice Kacang, Char Koay Teow and nowhere else can you get food this authentically good....

It is the food that defines Penang. From street food to seafood restaurants, the popular comment here in Penang is "It takes effort to find food that is not good in Penang"

The mingling of cultures in Penang history is the perfect cooking-pot for the creation of many dishes that are exclusively Penang-made. These recipes are passed down through generations and many are regarded as family or trade secrets.

Penang hawkers takes great pride in keeping true to original flavours, ensuring mouth-watering cuisine wherever you can find them....