Category: Places to Visit

Penang Hill: Kopi Hutan

Kopi Hutan at Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) is a forest-style, open-air café set in lush greenery where people stop for coffee and light bites in cooler hill weather, often as part of a nature walk around the summit area.

To get there, first go up to Penang Hill either by hiking or taking the Penang Hill funicular train from the Lower Station in Ayer Itam, then from the Upper Station head toward the Owl Museum area and continue to Monkey Cup Garden, where Kopi Hutan is located. From the Upper Station, you can either walk about 2 km or use the café’s free shuttle (noted by visitors as available for customers) to reach the Monkey Cup Garden/Kopi Hutan.

Design Village Penang : Christmas Festive Decorations 2025

Design Village Penang transformed its open-air outlet mall into a festive “Jollylicious Christmas” setting with cheerful holiday decorations, including a dreamy pink-themed display and seasonal icons like gingerbread figures. Shoppers can soak up the festive mood while enjoying seasonal promotions, photo spots, and family-friendly attractions such as train and carousel rides that can be redeemed when you spend a certain amount at the mall.

Sunshine Central Mall : Christmas Festive Decorations 2025

For Christmas 2025, Sunshine Central in Farlim has gone all out with its “A Beary Merry Christmas” festive display, turning the mall’s main atrium into a whimsical Christmas village filled with 10,000 teddy bears, earning recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest teddy bear holiday display in a Christmas event. The setup features giant plush bears, a towering Christmas tree wrapped in bears, wooden cottages, festive gift boxes, twinkling lights, scenic photo spots, a nostalgic Bear Tunnel, and a classic Bear Train Ride circling the space. As part of the season’s cheer, shoppers can adopt teddy bears through a charity programme that supports children’s homes, and enjoy snowfall effects, carolling music, dance performances, and appearances by Santa Claus amidst the joyful holiday ambience.

Queensbay Mall : Christmas Festive Decorations 2025

Queensbay Mall in Penang is celebrating Christmas 2025 with its “Happy Piñata Holidays” theme, turning the Centre Atrium into a colourful and lively festive space inspired by Mexican Las Posadas traditions. The mall features oversized piñatas, a giant floating Christmas tree, playful installations, interactive “snowy icy bubbles,” and fun family elements like sleigh gondolas and Santa walkabouts. Shoppers can enjoy seasonal workshops, vibrant performances, and festive booths while soaking up the cheerful holiday atmosphere that blends bright decorations with joyful experiences for all ages.

Gurney Plaza : Christmas Festive Decorations 2025

Gurney Plaza in Penang has launched its “Bear-y Bright Holidays” Christmas theme, transforming the mall’s Centre Atrium into a festive winter-inspired space with sparkling lights, giant plush bears including a 13-foot snow bear and a 10-foot red rose bear, seasonal ornaments, and plenty of photo spots for families and friends. Visitors can enjoy appearances by Santa, meet-and-greet sessions with bear mascots, an artificial snowfall experience, and Christmas markets featuring artisanal gifts and holiday treats, all designed to create a cheerful holiday atmosphere for shoppers and guests.

Penang Ferry Museum

The Penang Ferry Museum, located at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in George Town, celebrates the rich maritime legacy of Penang’s iconic ferry service, which has connected the island and mainland since 1894. The museum features historical displays, vintage photographs, ferry models, and interactive exhibits that trace the evolution of the ferries from steam-powered vessels to modern roll-on/roll-off designs. Visitors can also explore the stories of those who worked on the ferries, offering a nostalgic glimpse into one of Penang’s most enduring symbols of heritage and connection. It opens daily from 9am till 10pm.

Ticket prices: For Malaysian ID-holders (MyKad) it’s RM29 for adults and RM15 for children. For non-MyKad visitors it’s RM39 for adults and RM19 for children.

Armenian Street View at Night

Despite its name, Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian) was not originally settled by Armenians. It was named after the small Armenian community that once lived there in the early 1800s, who were influential traders and philanthropists in Penang. Interestingly, the famous Eastern & Oriental Hotel was founded by the Armenian Sarkies Brothers, who also established Singapore’s Raffles Hotel.

Today, the street is a UNESCO heritage hotspot known for its murals, cafes, and historic shophouses.

Gurney Plaza Mall : Deepavali Festive Decorations 2025

Gurney Plaza celebrates Deepavali 2025 with its vibrant “A Joyous Deepavali” theme, featuring colourful decorations like a giant peacock, intricate kolam designs, and glowing lanterns that light up the main atrium. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, including a Sitar and Tabla recital by the Temple of Fine Arts while shoppers who spent a certain amount can redeem exclusive Deepavali packets during the month of October.