Budget-Friendly Vacation: Free Places to Visit in Penang Island

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Penang, also known as Penang Island, is one of the states in Malaysia known for its culinary heaven. However, more than that, Penang also offers many interesting tourist destinations that can be enjoyed without spending a dime—in other words, for free.

TripAdvisor, along with additional information from other sources, shares a number of free tourist attractions in Penang, Malaysia. Read on to find out:

Free Tourist Attractions in Penang

1. Kek Lok Si Temple

Start the journey to free destinations in Penang by visiting Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, located in the Air Itam area. This temple has stood since the late 19th century and is ready to welcome every visitor with beautiful Buddha images and various carvings, sculptures, and murals.

2. Armenian Street

People used to know this area as Malay Lane. However, this street was renamed Lebuh Armenian, or Armenian Street, after being inhabited by the Armenian community in 1808.

This street offers a historical tourism experience through its buildings and temples. Make sure to pose in front of one of its most iconic murals, the "Children on a Bicycle," a work by an Armenian artist.

3. Chew Jetty

The next free tourist attraction in Penang is Chew Jetty. Also known as Clan Jetties, this place built by Chinese immigrants is a fishing village on the seafront recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Visit Lee Jetty to see the wooden houses standing above the water. Explore other interesting places in this village, such as the Chinese temple and community hall, through the wooden pathways, as reported by Lonely Planet.

4. Gurney Plaza

Take the family to spend time and look around in Gurney Plaza. After spending the day with your children at the 3rd floor's Art Safari, go up the elevator to have some delightful meals at the Gurney Food Hall. 

5. George Town

The capital of Penang Island is a tourist attraction with various places to visit. There are historic hotels, innovative galleries, boutiques with the latest collections, and streets filled with colonial pastel-colored shops. In addition, in George Town, stands the Khoo Kongsi temple with stone carvings of dragons and phoenixes guarding the entrance.

6. Penang National Park

Nature lovers can make Penang National Park their main destination. Stretching over 1,200 hectares on the northwest coast, this national park is a wildlife sanctuary with various ecologies.

The area features Monkey Beach, offering a peaceful resting place accessible by boat or a 45-minute hike. In addition to Monkey Beach, visitors can also visit Turtle Beach, a turtle conservation site.

7. Dharmikarama Burmese Temple

The Dharmikarama Burmese Temple adds to the list of free tourist attractions in Penang. Wonderful Malaysia mentions that the temple located in George Town is one of the Burmese Buddhist temples built outside of Myanmar. This place invites visitors to admire magnificent Buddha statues and colorful architecture.

8. Chulia Street

Not only Armenian Street, Chulia Street is also worth including in your itinerary. This area is one of the oldest streets in George Town, dating back to 1796. While on this street, tourists can feel the blend of Chinese and Indian Muslim influences.

This place is now known as one of the budget-friendly destinations due to the myriad of affordable hotels. If you're hungry, Time Out recommends having a bowl of beef noodle soup at a coffee shop located at the corner of Chulia and Lebuh Pantai.

9. Batu Ferringhi Beach

Batu Ferringhi Beach is an ideal place to enjoy the sunset and white sand for free. The beach is open to the public and is often a gathering place for tourists and locals. Visitors can walk along the beach, play in the sand, or simply sit back and relax, enjoying the sea breeze.

10. Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple

Finally, the Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, also known as Wat Chayamangkalaram. This temple is a Buddhist temple located in a small settlement called Burmah Lane. One of the most famous attractions in this temple is the 33-meter-long reclining Buddha statue, which appears to be wearing a golden robe.

Nia Nur Fadillah contributed to the writing of this article.

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