If you come to Penang, you must arrange time to wander around the city and feel the ease of roaming. One of the places suitable for visiting is the old Gurney Drive (Esplanade Penang). The old Gurney Drive area can be said to be the Central Business District (Central Business District) of Penang, because there are several banks, courts, city halls (city halls), government departments, etc. nearby, so the old Gurney Drive is a very busy place during the day. Places, especially from Monday to Friday, you will see many vehicles and pedestrians coming and going, but the busy old Gurney Drive still has historic buildings that attract you to stop and visit.

Photo courtesy of The Road to Anywhere.com

In addition, there is a seawall along the sea in Gurney Drive. Every evening, families, couples or friends can be seen walking and chatting there. You can also sit down and enjoy the sea breeze and enjoy the night view. In addition to the seawall, Gurney Drive also has a large pasture, where many large-scale events are often held throughout the year, such as the Japanese Bon Dance Festival and parades with big flags and drums.

Attractions

舊關仔角鐘樓（Jubilee Clock Tower）

Photo taken from Flickr

This is a Moorish-style clock tower built to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It is 60 feet high, and each foot represents the year of the Queen's reign. When you take pictures you will notice that the clock tower is tilted a bit due to being bombed by the Allies (or Japanese) during WWII.

Address: Lebuh Light, Georgetown, 10450 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.

Entrance ticket: free (only photos can be taken outside the clock tower)

康華麗堡（Fort Cornwallis）

Photo taken from Fort Cornwallis official website

Fort Cornwallis, a first-class historic site in Penang, has a history of more than 230 years. It was the place where Colonel Francis Light landed on Penang Island in 1786. There are cannons and shells in Fort Cornwallis, which reflects its military role and is a fortress to defend Penang Island. There are also cells, barracks, storage rooms, churches, etc. in Fort Cornwallis.

photo taken from PenangFoodforThought.com

In particular, there is a chic restaurant with creative mix and match Nyonya cuisine hidden in Fort Cornwallis, and the name of the restaurant is Kota Dine & Coffee, When Francis Meets Rempah! (Note: Rempah is Malay, which means spice)

Photo taken from Fort Cornwallis official website

When you walk into Fort Cornwallis, you will see an amphitheater, and then you will see a glass house on your right, which is Kota Restaurant. When you push the door in, you will see the bronze statue of Colonel Wright sitting on a chair, looking at the menu in your hand, then you can take this opportunity to take a photo with him. The design of the restaurant is simple and elegant, and the whole restaurant is designed as a glass house, which is quite beautiful no matter when the sun shines in in the afternoon or when the lights are turned on at night.

Photo taken from Fort Cornwallis official website

The signature dish of Kota Restaurant is definitely Nyonya (RM25). Against the background of the aroma of bean curd, it is completely delicious in color and fragrance! Let me tell you another good news, if you spend more than RM20 in the restaurant, you can deduct the entrance ticket for one person.

Fort Cornwallis | Business Hours: 09:00 – 22:00 (Daily)

Kota Dine & Coffee | Business hours: 10:30 – 22:30

Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Georgetown, 10200 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang

 

Come to see the mini hot air balloon lanterns in the bengcai aisle!

Photo taken from Precious Penang

When you are walking in Gurney Drive, you will find that there is an aisle full of colorful hot air balloon lanterns. Those lanterns are colored by kindergarten and elementary school students. Each hot air balloon lantern is a unique design.

In fact, these small lanterns are hung in the aisle all year round, but they are only lit on certain days. In order to promote the Penang Hot Air Balloon Carnival that will be held at the Polo Field (Padang Polo) during the Chinese New Year in 2019, from February 9th to 10th, the organizer will start from December 14th to March 14th next year, Lights on every night from 7:30 to 12 midnight.

The weather in Penang has turned better recently. Shooting under the blue sky will definitely have a great visual effect. Of course, when these small lanterns are lit at night, taking pictures with a little bit of light is also a special view. Hurry up to check in and take pictures!

檳島市政廳（City Hall）

Photo taken from EZ Go Penang

City Hall was built in 1903. It has been used as a local government office building since the British colonial era. The whole white building contains a strong European style. This century-old building has been awarded the status of National Heritage Site and is a Grade I Monument. But you are not allowed to go in and visit, you can only take pictures outside.

Address: Jalan Padang Kota Lama, Georgetown, 10200 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.

Food

When you come to Gurney Drive, you must eat Hameed Pata Mee Sotong, which is an upgraded version of Indian fried noodles, because the spicy sauce used by the boss is made exclusively, and the fried squid with spicy sauce, the fragrant Mee Sotong will really make you Move your index finger! The small one is RM5, the big one is RM7.

Photo courtesy of Hungry Onion

When you start to sweat after eating Mee Sotong, a cool cup of Coconut Shake is the perfect match! Coconut Shake is coconut water and vanilla ice cream, it is a holy product to cool off the heat! RM3 for a cup.

Photo via BLD with Bob and Julie.blogspot.com

These two stalls are located at Fort Cornwallis Food Court.

Business Hours: 08:00 – 20:00 (Closed: Sunday)

Address: Jalan Padang Kota Lama, Georgetown, 10450 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.