Culture & Heritage

Hundreds of years ago, merchants and labourers sailed from faraway lands and laid anchor off Penang, to make their fortunes. They brought with them their own languages, customs and traditions. Today, the state evolved into a melting pot of cultures with a blend of eastern and western influences, evident by the different places of worship, architecture and more, found across the island and mainland.

George Town UNESCO WHS

The George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site features Malaysia’s best restored and re-adaptive traditional architecture and a multitude of heritage trades and arts. The world-renowned “Street of Harmony” reflects the influence of the diverse communities that have made Penang their home. The wooden houses over at the Clan Jetties are built on stilts over the sea and are a cherished and conserved element of George Town’s cultural heritage legacy. At only 2.5sq km, the George Town World Heritage Site is compact enough to be explored on foot, by bicycle or trishaw.

George Town’s Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs)

According to UNESCO, the city represents an exceptional example of a multicultural trading town in South-East Asia forged from the mercantile and civilisation exchanges of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. The city is a living testimony to Asia’s multicultural heritage and traditions, where various religions and cultures meet. The city also reflects the coming together of cultural elements to create a unique architectural and cultural townscape unparalleled anywhere in East and South-East Asia.

Penang Peranakan Culture

The Baba Nyonya or Peranakan Chinese are early immigrants from China. They openly adopted local beliefs and practices, resulting in a unique culture that is solely their own. One can find Peranakan culture in Malaysia in Penang and Malacca, but the Penang Peranakans differ from their Malaccan counterparts in some ways.

Although both Peranakans use a mixture of Hokkien and Malay languages, the Penang Peranakans speak mainly Hokkien with some borrowed Malay words. In contrast, the Malaccan Peranakans have adopted a Malay patois, with some Hokkien words included.

The Peranakan style of cooking fuses Chinese and Malay elements. There is an added Thai influence in the Peranakan cuisine in Penang, bringing in a sweet and sour edge that differentiates it from the Malaccan version. From rituals, cuisine, dressing to language, the Peranakan Chinese have created a fusion of cultures that stand as a true hallmark of Penang’s rich multicultural diversity.

City Attractions

The museums and galleries in George Town are some of the city’s most powerful draws and they offer something for everyone.

Historical Sites

With a rich heritage past to draw from, Penang has no shortage of historical sites and landmarks to discover, from well-preserved colonial architecture to heritage residences and clan houses that are historical gems in their own right.

Places of Worship

The diversity of Penang means that Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Taoism are well-represented in the community. There are many mosques, temples and churches in Penang either to perform your religious duties or to gain insights into the state’s history and cultures.