Punjabi and Telugu are also spoken by smaller numbers of Indians. Monsun boats", "German U-Boat Operations in Australian Waters", "World War II: Yanagi Missions – Japan's Underwater Convoys", "Italian Royal Navy in World War Two: Italian surface units in Far East", "George Town's first mayor Ramanathan was a fiery man, politician, educationist and unionist", "Penang Island Municipal Council seeks city status status", "After four-year wait, Penang Island to finally get city status", "In Malaysia, Tourists Are Lured by George Town's Colorful Past", "Brain-drain debate after Penang loses $4b deal", "Komtar: Malaysia's Monument to Failed Modernism – Failed Architecture", "Remember the city status of George Town", "Asianow – Asiaweek | A City at a Crossroad | 31 March 2000", "Asia Times: Wreckers ball rips heart out of city: Car Rentals at www.The-Car-Reservations-Desk.com", "Tsunami impact in Penang, Malaysia: Our island, our world", "Making George Town more walkable, one street at a time", "Singapore investors 'invading' pre-war properties in Penang", "George Town: From old to modern chic and expensive", "10 of the best boutique hotels in historic George Town, Malaysia", "Nine years on, Penang's tsunami pain still lingers", "George Town meliputi 'pulau', jelas Datuk Bandar", "Seminar Teknikal Kebangsaan Gempa Bumi dan Tsunami (Study Area) – Implementing Thematic Indices Combination Technique for Tsunami Vulnerability Mapping in West Coast of Peninsula Malaysia using High-Resolution Imagery", "Penang's Growth Cries Out for More Local Councils", "Gurney Drive's reclamation project will transform the seaside promenade", "E & O gains more time to finish Seri Tg Pinang reclamation", "Cover Story: IJM Land to unveil two much-awaited projects", "The Historic City of George Town Heritage Management Plan", "Unesco heritage listing: Height of new projects capped at 18 metres", "UNESCO World Heritage Centre – State of Conservation (SOC 2009) Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)", "Several Penang roads named after distinguished Scotsmen | Wong Chun Wai", "Streets named after places in England remind the British of home – Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal", "Penang to stick with multilingual road signs", "Multilingual road signs put up to boost Penang's tourism", "Jelutong: Home to a thriving coastal village", "Penang DAP rep: Put all projects in Gurney Drive on hold", "Mega project plans for reclaimed Gurney Drive", "Penang's Gurney Drive bund turns brown waters jade green", "The Official Opening Ceremony of the Viewing Deck, Penang Hill", "myPenang – Penang Botanic Gardens, 130 years of Legacy", "The smallest national park in the world: Penang National Park", "Sensitising Visitors to Mother Nature's Wealth", "Why is South-East Asia's annual haze so hard to deal with? Januar 2005), überwiegend Chinesen. Top Things to Do in George Town, Penang Island: See Tripadvisor's 168,290 traveller reviews and photos of 283 things to do when in George Town. 200301026766 (629186-D). George Town, a 'must see' place in Malaysia! [61][62] While the British Army had earlier designated Penang Island as a fortress, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival then ordered a withdrawal from Penang. [217] The city has been listed by various publications, including the Lonely Planet, Forbes and Time, as one of the top travel destinations in Asia. [109][110], The contiguous hotel and resort belts of Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah and Tanjung Tokong along the northern beaches of Penang Island form the northwestern fringes of George Town. [17][18][19] Logistically, the Penang International Airport links George Town with several major regional cities, while a ferry service, the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge connect the city with the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang Island was renamed the Prince of Wales Island after the heir to the British throne, while the new settlement of George Town was created in honour of King George III. The historical core of George Town has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. This was helped by the mushrooming of missionary schools throughout George Town, all of which used English as their medium of instruction and were held in high esteem by the locals. [47] The latter culminated in the Penang Riots of 1867, during which rival Chinese triads clashed in the streets of George Town. George Town (juga disebut sebagai "Tanjung" dan "Town" oleh masyarakat tempatan) ialah bandaraya metropolitan Pulau Pinang, Malaysia yang tertua selepas Melaka serta ibu negeri kepada Pulau Pinang di timur lautnya. Today, buses form the backbone of public transportation within George Town. [229][230], This services sector has also been boosted by firms seeking to establish shared services outsourcing (SSO) operations within or around George Town, including AirAsia, Citigroup, Dell, Jabil and Temasek Holdings. Kuala Lumpur is by far the largest urban area as well as the largest metropolitan area in Malaysia. The High Court remains at Light Street to this day, along with the Magistrates and Sessions Court across the street. [50][51] For George Town, direct British rule meant better law enforcement, as the police force was vastly improved and the secret societies that had previously plagued the city were gradually outlawed. The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) logo is seen at its headquarters on Jalan Raja Laut January 22, 2020. [37][38] Edmond Stanley assumed office as the First Recorder of the Supreme Court of Penang in 1808, thus serving as Malaya's first Superior Court Judge. [232], An integral part of Penang's services sector is medical tourism, which has made George Town the medical tourism hub of Malaysia. [158] The current Mayor is Yew Tung Seang, who took office in 2018. [106][107], The jurisdiction of George Town covers an area of 305.77 km2 (118.06 sq mi), encompassing the entirety of Penang Island and five of the surrounding islets, including Jerejak Island. As of 2017[update], Penang attracted almost 8.6 million tourists, with the airport posting a record 7.2 million passenger arrivals and the pier registering another 1.35 million tourist arrivals. Neighborhoods, Points of Interest & Landmarks. For a small island, Penang has more than its share of interesting museums, heritage and culture. [63] Some historians have argued that the withdrawal and the silent evacuation of the European population led to the loss of the British sense of invincibility, and that the collapse of British rule in Southeast Asia came not in Singapore, but in Penang. [42], Nonetheless, George Town retained its importance as a vital British entrepôt. Several hotels and resorts have been established along these locations, including Hard Rock Hotel. Efforts are also being undertaken to promote pedestrianisation and the use of bicycles as a greener transportation mode. (2015). Penang food is amazing and so affordable, with a glorious choice to tantalise taste buds- Indian cuisine, Moslem delicacies, Nonya cooking, Chinese and Malay food. [129][130][131] The southern suburbs, such as Jelutong, grew due to industrial activities. Summary about cost of living in George Town, Malaysia: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,739.54$ (7,021.64RM) without rent (using our estimator) . The policy's intent was to entice traders from the Dutch ports in the region. The Penang General Hospital, administered and funded by the Ministry of Health, is the main public hospital in George Town and serves as the tertiary referral hospital within northern Malaysia. [76][77][78], The British government responded to the concerns raised by the secessionists by guaranteeing George Town's free port status, as well as reintroducing municipal elections in George Town in 1951. The current population of Malaysia is 32,595,582 as of Thursday, January 21, 2021, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. … [73], Following the Japanese surrender on 15 August 1945, the Penang Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, published the proclamation of surrender issued by the Emperor of Japan. [12][13][14] Moreover, the city hosts unique cultural heritage, such as the Peranakans, whose legacies are still visible on Penang's architecture and cuisine. After our trip to Langkawi, we headed to Georgetown, in Penang, Malaysia. [306], The Penang state government also publishes its own multi-lingual newspaper, Buletin Mutiara, which is circulated for free every fortnight. George Town is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang.It is Malaysia's second largest city, with a population of about 708,000 as of 2010. In this vlog I explore George Town, the main city and capital of Penang Island in Malaysia. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. Inspired by its colonial Victorian heritage, it welcomes the urbane traveller to a magical contemporized colonial scene, with 162 rooms, an all-day dining outlet, an arcade with a mix of retail outlets, event spaces and a rooftop infinity pool. [155] In 2018, George Town was recognised as one of the cleanest cities in ASEAN, following a 2017 ranking which placed George Town as Malaysia's second cleanest city. Traverse into the eclectic charm of George Town Penang’s illustrious history as you step into the world of Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion. Spices such as nutmeg, clove and pepper, produced from the spice farms throughout the island, were exported via the Port of Penang in George Town. 147 French and Russian sailors were killed. Malaysia is one of nearly 200 countries illustrated on our Blue Ocean Laminated Map of the World. [358], Capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang, Francis, Ric & Ganley, Colin: Penang trams, trolleybuses & railways: municipal transport history, 1880s–1963. [150], Weather forecast in George Town is served by the Penang Meteorological Office in Bayan Lepas, which acts as the primary weather forecast facility for northern Peninsular Malaysia. Direct Seaview, Gurney Georgetown wifi opp G hotel Kelawai, 5BR Courtyard Luxury Series - Straits Quay, Hotels with Infinity Pools in George Town, Hotels near Penang International Dental College. [32] The number of incoming vessels rose from 85 in 1786 to 3,569 in 1802; George Town's population had also increased to 10,000 by 1792. [39][40] The spice trade also allowed the British East India Company to cover the administrative costs of Penang. [251], Aside from these, there are two Western orchestras based in George Town – the Penang Philharmonic and the Penang Symphony Orchestra (PSO) – as well as several chamber and school-based musical ensembles. In addition, George Town contains a number of private tertiary educational institutions, as well as one of the premier Malaysian public universities – Universiti Sains Malaysia. The country's first newspaper – the Prince of Wales Island Gazette – was established in the city in 1806. Not only did the British abandon the Batu Maung Fort south of the city, they also covertly evacuated Penang's European population, leaving the rest of the populace to their fates. [202] By 2017, Penang's GDP per capita, already the highest among Malaysian states, rose to RM49,873, thereby surpassing the World Bank's threshold to be considered a high-income economy. [102][103][104], The Indian Ocean tsunami which struck in 2004 hit the western and northern coasts of Penang Island, including George Town, claiming 52 lives (out of 68 in Malaysia). The Office of the Chief Minister of Penang is housed within the Komtar Tower, Penang's tallest skyscraper. Congratulations to Seahorse Yachts and "Peking", a 462 DIESEL DUCK, honored as People's Choice Award "BEST IN SHOW" at the 2007 Mystic Trawlerfest. The beauty and rich history of George Town keeps tourists flocking all year round. [288], Universiti Sains Malaysia, situated at Gelugor, is one of the premier Malaysian public universities. [18][19], The success of George Town's medical tourism industry is mainly due to the specialised medical treatments offered at more affordable costs by the city's numerous private hospitals, coupled with well-trained professionals and advanced equipment. [284] Meanwhile, the Chung Hwa Confucian School, founded in 1904, was the first Chinese school in Southeast Asia. [211] In addition to these, the Employees Provident Fund, run by the Malaysian federal government, operates an office at the road as well. Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. [71][72], Between 1944 and 1945, Allied bombers based in India repeatedly bombed George Town, seeking to destroy the naval facilities and administrative centres. Under British rule, missionary schools were set up across George Town. It’s hard to think of George Town, Malaysia, without thinking about food. Georgetown is a pedestrian-friendly city, with a well-planned series of roads and paths connecting one end of Penang’s capital to the other. [311], Development of George Town's streets and roads is an ongoing process that dates back to the early years of British rule. Penang state is located in Peninsular Malaysia and is one of the most urbanized and economically developed states in the country. [187][194][195] In recent years, there have been more efforts to maintain the dialect's relevance in the face of the increasing influence of Mandarin and English among the younger populace. [273] The SPICE Arena at Bayan Baru consists of an indoor stadium, an aquatics centre and a convention centre, while the Nicol David International Squash Centre at Gelugor is a major squash training facility. [37][38], In the early 19th century, Penang Island became a centre of spice production within Southeast Asia. [232], The Penang Bridge International Marathon is a popular annual event. George Town is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang.George Town is Malaysia's third most populous city with 708,127 inhabitants as of 2010, while Greater Penang is the nation's second largest conurbation in the country after Greater Kuala Lumpur with a population of 2,412,616. Get best deals on money. An annual Chingay parade is held in the city every December, though Chingay performances are also a common feature of Chinese festivities and major state celebrations in Penang. Here are 16 must-see destinations", "A Silicon Valley of the East: Penang's thriving start-up community", "Styling itself as the 'Silicon Valley of the East, "Issues and challenges of a liveable and creative city: The case of Penang, Malaysia", "Medical Tourism A Billion Ringgit Industry for Penang", "Penang accounts for 50% of medical tourists", "Swettenham Pier surpasses Port Klang as top port of call for cruise ships", "Is Penang's tourism on the right track? [271][272] It is the home ground of Penang FA, and was where Penang footballer Mohd Faiz Subri scored the goal that won him the 2016 FIFA Puskás Award. George Town’s Chulia Street transforms after 6:00pm. [236], Centuries of development have brought a mix of architectural styles to George Town, both historical and modern. [44], Aside from government-run and private schools, the city has 11 international schools. [319] Meanwhile, the Penang Hill Railway is a funicular railway to the peak of Penang Hill. [67][68], George Town's harbour facilities were also put to use as a major U-boat base by Nazi Germany. [44][247] Penang's variant of Chingay includes the act of balancing gigantic flags on one's forehead or hands. There are also 54 government-run clinics throughout George Town, supported by 11 private hospitals and 352 private clinics. Aside from the Penang International Airport, Swettenham Pier, conveniently located within the city centre, also serves as one of the major tourist entry points into Penang. The available FM radio stations in George Town, both government (including Penang-based Mutiara FM) and commercial, are as listed below. [167] Another Sessions Court has also been established in Balik Pulau to the west. [55] However, instead of arresting George Town's decline, Komtar itself became a white elephant by the 2000s. [37][38], The Supreme Court of Penang (now High Court of Penang) was first opened at Fort Cornwallis on 31 May 1808. more. However, the capital was then shifted to Singapore in 1832, as the latter had usurped George Town's position as the region's preeminent harbour. [139] Rising 833 m (2,733 ft) above sea level, the peak of Penang Hill is accessible via the Penang Hill Railway from its base station off Hill Railway Road. The state is divided between Penang Island and Sebarang Perai (the mainland), each governed by its own municipal council: Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) in the Island and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP) on the mainland. George Town is a delightful multicultural city ,with such a variety of interesting historical museums, Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples to visit. With a history dating back to 1800, it is Malaysia's oldest local government and the successor to the nation's first city council – the George Town City Council. [260][261], In recent years, private-run museums have sprung up all over the city, such as the Camera Museum and the Penang Toy Museum. Land reclamation projects have been carried out to provide more low-lying land at high-demand areas, such as at Gurney Drive, Tanjung Tokong and Jelutong. Best George Town Hotels on Tripadvisor: Find 24,999 traveller reviews, 24,751 candid photos, and prices for hotels in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The George Town Inner Ring Road and the Penang Middle Ring Road are the two major ring roads around the city centre. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. [22][23] Light subsequently landed in Kedah, a Siamese vassal state threatened by both Siam and Burma, as well as an internal Bugis revolt. Established as an entrepôt by Francis Light of the East India Company in 1786, George Town was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. [41], In 1826, George Town was made the capital of the Straits Settlements, an administrative polity that was also composed of Singapore and Malacca. [11] It also gained a reputation as Malaysia's gastronomic capital for its distinct and ubiquitous street food. But Malaysia’s second largest city isn’t only about the eating. [327][328][329], Rapid Ferry is a cross-strait shuttle ferry service that connects George Town with the town of Butterworth on the Malay Peninsula. Just south of the UNESCO World Heritage Site stands the Komtar Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Penang at nearly 250 m (820 ft) tall. [40], In the State Legislative Assembly, George Town is represented by 19 state constituencies, namely Padang Kota, Pengkalan Kota, Komtar, Kebun Bunga, Pulau Tikus, Tanjong Bunga, Air Putih, Air Itam, Paya Terubong, Seri Delima, Datok Keramat, Sungai Pinang, Batu Lancang, Batu Uban, Pantai Jerejak, Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Betong and Telok Bahang. The former bridge was completed in 1985, while the latter, opened in 2014, is currently the longest bridge in Southeast Asia. [258], The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery houses relics, photographs, maps, and other artifacts that document the history and culture of Penang. Industrialised areas on the island were also no better, as the the “roll-call” of companies affected have become a cause of great concern. [289] As of 2018[update], it was ranked 207th in the QS World University Rankings, the fourth highest in Malaysia. [43][52] More investments were also made on the city's health care and public transportation. [249][250] Boria is another traditional dance drama indigenous to Penang, featuring singing accompanied by violin, maracas and tabla. Capital city Kuala Lumpur is visually defined by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, while in charming Melaka the vibe is more quaint and historical. [61], After a period of military administration, the British dissolved the Straits Settlements in 1946 and proceeded to merge the Crown Colony of Penang into the Malayan Union, which was then replaced with the Federation of Malaya in 1948. Georgetown, the capital of the island Penang, is named after the British King George III. Penang is a hotspot for street food. George Town is a delightful multicultural city ,with such a variety of interesting historical museums, Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples to visit. [233][235] These traditional retail establishments cater more to locally made products, including spices, nutmegs and tau sar pneah, a famous Penang delicacy. [86] Indirect factors that were cited include the relatively low cost of living and the ease of travel facilitated by the well-developed logistical infrastructure. It might be Malaysia’s second largest city after Kuala Lumpur, but it’s nowhere near as crazy and in your face as the country’s capital. [299] The private hospitals within George Town include Penang Adventist Hospital, Island Hospital, Gleneagles Medical Centre, Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre, Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital and Pantai Hospital. [29][166], Today, the Malaysian judiciary has become largely centralised. Bhd. Penang food is amazing and so affordable, with a glorious choice to tantalise taste buds- Indian cuisine, Moslem delicacies, Nonya cooking, Chinese and Malay food. In particular, Gurney Drive forms part of the city's second Central Business District, and is a shopping haven with two upmarket shopping malls – Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon. In 2001, the Rent Control Act, which had protected the low-income residents and smaller businesses within the city centre from arbitrary rental hikes, was repealed. [283] Among the libraries in the city are the Penang State Library at Scotland Road and the Penang Digital Library at Green Lane. [151], Local administration of George Town and all of Penang Island is carried out by the Penang Island City Council, which comes under the purview of the Penang state government. GEORGE TOWN: A cafe operator here is being investigated for decorating two of his outlets with communism-themed wallpaper, police said today. [15][16] The city also serves as the financial centre of northern Malaysia and the nation's most vital medical tourism hub. [322] The airport is Malaysia's second busiest in terms of cargo traffic and recorded the third highest passenger traffic of all Malaysian airports as of 2013[update]. Founded as an entrepôt in 1786, it was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. [55][77][83], This also marked the start of George Town's decline, which lasted up to the early 2000s. Visuals of the wallpaper bearing drawings of late Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong and also depicting elements of communism have gone viral since yesterday. [18], As many as 24% of Penang's workforce are employed in the retail sub-sector, the largest of all economic sub-sectors in Penang. Few other places in the world do you find cuisine so varied, food so fresh, or prices so low. [177][178] In spite of Malaysia's ethnic policies that have effectively forced the Peranakans to identify themselves as Chinese, Peranakan culture still thrives in George Town to this day, in the form of Straits Chinese architectural styles and dishes like asam laksa. [7] More recent estimates from Malaysia's Department of Statistics indicated that about 738,500 inhabitants lived within this cosmopolitan city as of 2012[update]. In early December 1941, Japanese warplanes indiscriminately strafed and bombed George Town, and wiped out the defending Allied air squadrons. George Town is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang. [69][70] Between 1942 and 1944, the Port of Penang was utilised by submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Kriegsmarine and the Regia Marina. [citation needed] This is partly because the new names are often unwieldy (e.g. [100][320] Dedicated cycling lanes have been marked throughout the city and in 2016, George Town became the first Malaysian city to operate a public bicycle-sharing service, with the launch of LinkBike. [22][23] Once the area was cleared, a simple ceremony was held on 11 August, during which the Union Jack was raised. George Town, the capital city of Penang, is the second largest city in Malaysia and the heart of Malaysia's second largest conurbation.To the south, the twin cities of Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri form the core of the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The city's oldest streets, including Light Street, Beach Street, Chulia Street and Pitt Street, were arranged in a grid pattern.[312]. See the full list: Romantic Hotels in George Town. One day we walked around and did all these things in a single day. The city centre is also linked with the western parts of Penang Island, such as Balik Pulau, via the pan-island Federal Route 6. Established in 1969 as Malaysia's second university, it was originally named Universiti Pulau Pinang (University of Penang). Since 2001, shopping complexes in George Town registered the biggest increases in Malaysia. [143] Meanwhile, the nearby 172-acre (70 ha) City Park was officially opened in 1972. The second Central Business District at Northam Road and Gurney Drive, which lies along the city's northern shoreline, is also home to some of Penang's tallest skyscrapers, including Setia V, Gurney Paragon and BHL Tower. [203][204] George Town's popularity amongst foreign investors has contributed to Penang gaining the largest share of Malaysia's foreign direct investments within the same year. Throughout history, the city has even welcomed some of the most influential personalities, including Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Noël Coward, Lee Kuan Yew and Queen Elizabeth II. [9][117][118], The World Heritage Site covers nearly 260 ha (2.6 km2) of the city centre, roughly bounded by Transfer Road to the west and Prangin Road to the south. ", "Francis Light | British military officer", "Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang – Fort Cornwallis 228th Anniversary Celebration", "Networks of Malay Merchants and the Rise of Penang as a Regional Trading Centre", "pg.3 – Chapter 1 – Early Penang Society (contd)", "A history of local elections in Penang Part I: Democracy Comes Early", "Singapore becomes admin centre of the Straits Settlements – Singapore History", "Formation of the Straits Settlements – Singapore History", "Between History and Heritage: Post-Colonialism, Globalisation, and the Remaking of Malacca, Penang and Singapore", "Battle of Penang: When Malay fishermen rescued Russian sailors", "Penang Evacuated – British Garrison Withdrawn – New Jap Thrusts in Malaya", "Old Penang: The Sook Ching massacres of World War II", "Researcher details shattered lives of local comfort women", "The Allied Reoccupation of the Andaman Islands, 1945", "uboat.net – U-boat Operations- The Monsun U-boats – 3. , buses form the backbone of public transportation within George Town was once the centre of Malaysia George! 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