The main attraction in Penang is the old town district of Georgetown. The colonial era straits architecture is evident here. Other than the Georgian buildings and shophouses scattered around town, there are chinese mansions, Indian temples, mosques, and churches to due many ethnic groups who settled in Georgetown.
Coming out from the hotel along Penang Road, the first one that I checked is the Saint Francis Xavier Church, founded by Bishop Boucho in 1857 to cater to the needs of the local Tamil-speaking congregation. Which up to now it's still the case since when I came back the following day for sunday mass, mostly Indians were attendees. The residence of Ku Din Ku Meh is located nearby. Across the street is the Upper Penang Road where it becomes alive on weekend nights for bars and night clubbing. The street parallel to Penang Road is Lebuh Leith where the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is located. This indigo blue mansion, hard to miss when passing the street, was built by a wealthy tycoon at the turn of the 20th century. I did not have the chance to check the interiors of the mansion because the mansion is open for guided tours only at a fix timing. The Goddess of Mercy temple is within the same street. This is one of the oldest Chinese temple built back in 1728.
Walking along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and towards Lebuh Bishop, five interesting structures can be seen here. The Saint Xavier Institution, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Penang State Museum, the St. George's Church, and the imposing Court buildings on the other side of the street. Turning right is the Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling where St George's Church, Chinese Goddess of Mercy Temple, Hindu Mahamariamman Temple, and the Kapitan Keling Mosque lined on the same street, an interesting find it is. Within the area is the Little India.
Further up north towards Lebuh Light is the Padang Kota Lama. Within the vicinity are the building of City Hall and Town Hall side by side. The War Memorial landmark, the Fort Cornwallis, and the Clock tower all can be found within the surroundings of the Padang. The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower is a 60-feet high tower built in commemoration of the Queen Victoria's 60th reign.
