George Town, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang, is situated at the north-eastern tip of Penang Island. Its urban population is estimated at 708,000, while the Greater Penang conurbation has a population of 2.5 million, making George Town and Greater Penang the second largest city and the second most populated metropolitan area in Malaysia respectively. One of the oldest cities in Malaysia, George Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Malacca City in 2008. Established by Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company in 1786, George Town was one of the first British settlements in South-East Asia. Together with Singapore and Malacca, George Town was governed under the Straits Settlements, which later became a British crown colony in 1867. It was subjugated by the Empire of Japan during World War II, before being recaptured by the British at war's end. Shortly before Malaya attained independence from the British Empire in 1957, George Town was declared a city by Queen Elizabeth II, the first in the country's modern history. In 2015, Penang Island, on which George Town is located, also obtained city status. Due to the intermingling of the various ethnicities and religions that arrived on its shores during its heyday as a British entrepôt, George Town acquired a large assortment of colonial and Asian eclectic architectural styles, which led to its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It also gained a reputation as Malaysia's gastronomic capital, due to its unique and ubiquitous street food. Moreover, the city hosts intangible cultural heritage, such as that of the Peranakan (formerly known as the Straits Chinese), a hybrid ethnicity which has left its mark on Penang's architecture and cuisine. Additionally, George Town is Malaysia's most vital medical tourism hub, receiving approximately half of Malaysia's medical tourists, many from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Singapore. It also serves as the financial hub within the north of Malaysia, with numerous Malaysian and foreign banks setting up branches in the city. Logistically, George Town is a well-connected city, with the Penang International Airport 14 km to the south linking it to several major cities in the region including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei and Hong Kong. An enduring legacy from the British colonial era is the Port of Penang, which still serves the northern region of Malaysia by connecting George Town with over 200 ports worldwide. George Town is also connected to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia via a ferry service and the Penang Bridge.

Explore popular vacation packages for George Town, Malaysia and kick-start your vacation planning for free. When planning a trip to George Town, make sure you visit its near-by prime city of Taiping. Taiping, is a worth visiting city owing to its prime attractions like Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si, Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Also, to reach George Town, you'll have to take a flight to Taiping; so its not really a detour. And even if it is, the city is worth paying at least a quick visit. Popular vacation packages of George Town are of 1-2 days.

Get, set and plan a journey with this amazing travel planner for George Town that shall leave you with plenty of memories at the end of your trip.