Start your Penang tour with a feel of colonial era commerce peppered with modern day cafeterias. The British East India Company constructed Beach Street as a banking and trading hub for port specific businesses. Shipping companies, export and import companies and wholesalers, dominated the early businesses and many continue to occupy the iconic buildings to date. Along with Chulia Street, Masjid Kapitan Keling Street and Light Street, Beach Street defined the old town. Over the years, the city administration has reclaimed land, extended the shoreline, created ghats with steps leading down to the wharf, and has eventually constructed a new shoreline street called Pengkalan Weld. Beach Street, though no longer hugging the coastline, continues as a pivot of commercial activity on the island.

With landmarks such as India House, HSBC, ABN-Amro House, OCBC Bank, George Town Dispensary and lots of other cafeterias and restaurants dotting its length, a walk on Beach Street, now known as Lebuh Pantai, is a perfect way to begin touring George Town, Penang.

Tips: As you walk along this arterial road, take small detours to explore adjoining streets on either side. Hop into the various restaurants or binge with fresh food hawkers. While strolling on Beach Street, you may choose to visit Wonderfood Museum, one of the locations from our Penang’s Museums Trail guide.