In 1820, Syed Sheriff Tengku Syed Hussain Aidid donated a piece of land on which was built the Acheen Street Malay Mosque, which is also known as Masjid Melayu. An interesting feature here is a small window halfway up the minaret. It is said to have originally been a hole made by a cannonball fired during the 1867 triad riots.

Opening hours: 11.00am - 5.00pm

A stately Chinese dwelling with 18th and 19th century Chinese architecture, the interior features beautiful bedrooms, libraries, ceremonial halls, courtyards and gardens. In the year 2000, it won the ‘Most Excellent Project’ for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation. This indigo-blue mansion houses a rare porcelain collection, sculptures, carvings, tapestries, embroideries and antiques.

A pair of elephants guards the entrance to this Burmese temple. Within the pagoda grounds are a Bodhi tree and wishing pond. It is the venue of many celebrations held during the water festival in April.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 5.30pm

The fort was built on the site of Sir Francis Light’s historic landing in 1786. Originally a wooden stockade, it was replaced by a concrete structure built by convicts in 1804. Today, an open-air amphitheatre, a history gallery, café as well as a handicraft and souvenir centre occupies the interior. It also houses the famous Dutch cannon or Meriam Seri Rambai presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch which was brought to Penang after being looted by the Portuguese.

The City Hall is another fine example of a well-preserved building from the heyday of the British Empire A short stroll from this building is an art gallery, Galeri Pinang, which is located in Dewan Sri Pinang. It contains fine prints of Penang in the early days.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm (for outside viewing only) (Galeri Pinang - closed on Sundays)

One of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang, the temple was built in 1800 by early immigrant settlers from China. The building, also known as Kuan Yin Teng, is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and sculptured stone lions said to be its guardians. Devotees flock to the temple all year round especially during its anniversary celebrations.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm

One of the finest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, the Kek Lok Si Temple stands majestically on a bill in Ayer Itam. Built in tiers, the temple boasts the beautifully crafted ‘Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddha's'. Taking more than 20 years to build, the temple is set against scenic surroundings. It features shrines, sculptures, gardens and a turtle pond.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm

Tel: 04 - 899 8222

It is by far the grandest clan temple on the island. The forefathers of the Khoo family, who emigrated from South China, built it as a clan house for members of the Khoo family. The building was so magnificent that upon its completion in 1898, the roof caught fire, some believe, due to its resemblance to the Emperor’s palace in China. It features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.