A city without culture is destined to be just an empty shell without a soul. As a melting pot of cultures, Penang certainly has no shortage of cultural and creative activities, specialty stores and warm handmade crafts. If you are not immune to cultural creativity and handicrafts like me, then you are welcome to enter the pit with me and take a journey of cultural youth!

1. Hin Bus Depot

Photos taken from Hin Bus Depot official website and wnfdiary.com

As a Wenqing, if you haven't been to Hin Bus Depot, then you are really a treasure! The predecessor of Hin Bus Depot was a maintenance station of a private bus company in Penang, which has a history of 72 years. The company changed hands several times after graduation, and later planned by the person in charge of Hin Bus Depot, it transformed into an art space integrating exhibitions, cafes, and cultural and creative markets.

In particular, this space has not undergone large-scale decoration, but retains its original appearance. The door and wall are gradually peeling off, revealing a touch of orange, and the mottled walls and fancy tiles exude a unique retro style. taste. In addition, there is a coffee shop surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass in the station, which attracted many people to take photos when it opened.

Every Sunday, the Sunday Pop Up Market will be held in the station, whether it is food, use, play or clothing, you can see it here, and it will make you accidentally buy things. If you are interested in the exhibition, remember to follow their Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/hinbusdepot/.

Business Hours: 12:00 – 20:00

Address: 31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 Georgetown, Malaysia.

2. Mano Plus complex living hall

Photos taken from Mano Plus Facebook and Fuku Eatery & Dessert Facebook

Mano Plus is a compound store with the theme of design aesthetics and human life. This two-storey store was transformed from a British colonial building built in 1925, covering an area of 7,600 square feet. The white exterior , The dark door looks particularly pleasing to the eye and comfortable. Open the door and enter, the interior design is consistent with the exterior, clean and tidy, there are many things, but orderly.

On the ground floor, you will see all kinds of exquisite stationery and creative fashion products; Belgian handmade chocolate bar Love 18; independent bookstore Buku-Buku and Japanese cafe Fuku Eatery, but they all have their own space. Upstairs is Timeless, which sells creative and stylish home furnishings, and a spacious lecture hall. This store often holds workshops, allowing you to experience the spirit and delicacy of craftsmen when creating items.

If you are tired from shopping, be sure to try the food at Fuku Eatery. Their onigiri, Japanese curry rice, and Salted Caramel Mirror Glaze Cake are not to be missed.

Fuku Eatery & Dessert

Business Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Monday to Thursday) | 09:00 – 21:00 (Friday to Sunday)

Closed on the first Wednesday of every month

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/fukueatery/ 

Mano Plus Select Store

Business Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Monday to Thursday) | 09:00 – 21:00 (Friday to Sunday)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manoplusstore/ 

Address: 37A & 37B, 1st Floor, Beach Street, 10300 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.

3. Occupy Beach Street

Photo taken from Occupy Beach Street Facebook

Occupy Beach Street, as the name suggests, is to occupy the territory and return the street to the people. This is a plan implemented by the Penang State Government in 2013. Every Sunday, from 7am to 1pm, vehicles are prohibited in the area of Tuku Street, so it can also be called a car-free day. You can enjoy cycling along Tuku Street with your family or friends and enjoy the morning view of Penang without worrying about the dangers of the road.

In addition, there are many special stalls on Tuku Street every Sunday, and occasionally you can see stalls for dogs, cats or birds. Now there is also a book exchange corner over there where you can take your book and exchange it for another book. In addition to the market, there are also band performances, clown performances, etc. There is also a large snake chess set on the road, and you can directly move and play games on the snake chess.

A warm reminder, the sun is shining brightly around 12.30pm, and many stall owners have packed up one after another at this time, so it is best to go before 12.30pm. They often hold Fun Run or cultural activities in conjunction with various festivals, so follow them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/occupybeachstreet/.

Opening hours: 07:00 – 13:00 (only open on Sunday)

地址：36, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/occupybeachstreet/ 

4. BookXcess Bookstore

Photos from BookXcess Facebook and New Straits Time

Unexpectedly, Penang also has an open bookstore! BookXcess actually has 7 branches in Kuala Lumpur. They finally came to Gurney Paragon, Penang to open their 8th branch in January this year. Their bookstore is not in the store, but the entire corridor!

BookXcess is located on the 7th and 8th floors of Gurney Paragon. It has the longest bookshelf in Malaysia (70 meters long) and a 10-meter-high double-layer bookshelf, covering an area of 26,000 square feet. You can find all kinds of books here, including art design, literature, fiction, non-fiction, teens, children's books, and other great titles. There is a children's reading area here, and you can see the charming sea view. There are also reading spaces and cafes in the bookstore. It feels like you can spend a leisurely afternoon by wandering around, reading books and drinking coffee. The only pity is that BookXcess only has English books.

Business hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (daily)

Address: L7.06-7.16 & L8.02-8.-5 Gurney Paragon Mall, Gurney Dr, 10250, Penang.

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BookXcess/