Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion, was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century, and Penang Straits Settlement imported artisans from China to build this opulent 38-room mansion. With its five courtyards, carved woodwork, Gothic louvered windows and cast iron, the mansion is a fascinating fusion of East and West culture. The building was restored at a cost of 7.6 million ringgit, and it is crammed with sculptures, antique furniture and tapestries, while now being a unique boutique hotel. However, it is also open for non-residents during guided tours, so book one ahead.

Khoo Kongsi was built just over a century ago, and it is the finest example of a Hokkien Chinese ‘clan house’ complex in Georgetown. Its grand hall is replete with decorative carvings and ornamented columns, and the red tiled roof is crowned with extravagant carvings of demons, dragons and other creatures from Chinese mythology. The hall is surrounded by a complex of shops, houses and other buildings, within a rectangle of defensive walls.

Batu Ferringhi is Penang’s main resort area, featuring a long strip of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops along the island's best beach. Most visitors end up staying here, as Batu Ferringhi offers a range of accommodation from cheap and cheerful guesthouses to five-star luxury hotels. The resort area also provides a wide variety of watersports, including water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing and scuba diving.

Yanagibashi Central Market is home to over 400 shops and fish stalls, dating back to the Edo era (1603–1868) and second in size only to Tokyo’s giant Tsukiji Fish Market. Giant tuna, octopus, shrimp and many other varieties of fish are on sale here from early morning (around 6 am is best).