Revisiting the Echoes of War at the War Museum in Penang
The War Museum in Penang is one of the many interesting places on the island that I absolutely love to visit from time to time. There’s just something about stepping back in time to learn about a country’s wartime past that makes me appreciate what I have now.
I’ve been there enough times to the point where I could work part-time as a tour guide! Alright, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but trust me when I say that I do know a thing or two that can help you plan your trip to this museum, hence this travel guide.
So whether you’re curious about the things you can expect to see in the museum, or some nearby eats that you can stop by while you’re there, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know before visiting the War Museum in Penang:
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit the War Museum in Penang is from November to March, as they present the best weather conditions of the year. However, you won’t have to worry about rain spoiling your trip, as the island features a hot and humid climate all year round.
This being said, we do recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid the extreme heat brought upon by the Penang Sun. Granted that the museum is mostly under a tree cover, the heat can still be a bit overwhelming.
Furthermore, the museum generally doesn’t get crowded, so you won’t have to worry about cramped spaces during your visit. If you want the place virtually to yourself, however, we recommend visiting during the weekdays.
Lastly, if you’re planning to stay somewhere in Penang, but you don’t want to spend too much money on accommodation, we recommend visiting during the shoulder season. This runs from April to May and September to October.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Address: Penang War Museum, Jalan Batu Maung, 11960 Batu Maung, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-421 3606
Website: https://www.facebook.com/PenangWarMuseum/
Entrance fee:
- Malaysians: RM15
- Non-Malaysians: RM30
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
How to Get There
Plane: If you’re coming from anywhere but Penang, we’d recommend riding a plane going to Penang International Airport. From there, you can easily take a taxi or book a ride through the Grab app.
Bus: Riding a bus is a great option if you want to save money and feel like a local at the same time. The most adventurous thing you can do is ride the 302 bus coming from Komtar and get dropped off at the Kampung Permatang Damar Laut stop.
Taxi/Grab: Hailing a taxi or booking a ride through the Grab app is the easiest way to get to the museum, but it’s also one of the most expensive methods. If you don’t want to drive uphill, however, and you want to experience comfort above all else, this is money well spent.
Car: You can also rent a car if you prefer to be the captain of your own ship. This is also a convenient option, given that there’s a steep climb going up the entrance to the museum that could otherwise be tiring if you go on foot.
Where to Stay near War Museum Penang
Hotel Pen Mutiara
Address: Wisma Nelayan Pelabuhan LKIM Batu Maung
Phone: +60 4-626 4615
Pricing: $$
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Hotel Pen Mutiara screams great value for money! For a reasonable price, guests can enjoy high-quality rooms that come complete with huge comfy beds, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and other amenities that you’d typically find in modern hotels.
Our favourite thing about this hotel, however, is its in-house restaurant. Here, you’ll find an amazing assortment of Malay delicacies (their seafoods are as fresh as they come)!
Lastly, this hotel also features a great and accessible location, as it’s only a few minutes from the airport. Also, it’s quite near the War Museum, so win-win!
Olive Tree Hotel Penang
Address: 76, Jalan Mahsuri, Bandar Sunway Tunas
Phone: +60 4-637 7777
Pricing: $$$
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If you’re looking to stay lavishly during your time in Penang, one of the best things you can do is to book a room at the Olive Tree Hotel Penang. This 4-star hotel ticks all the boxes of a premium suite, from the spacious area to the elegant design, complete set of amenities, etc.
It’s located in the heart of the city as well, so you can expect to access Penang’s best restaurants, cafes and stores as soon as you step outside. Plus, this location will provide you with the best views of the city from your room.
The Olive Tree Hotel is also a great option for foodies like us, as it features an amazing cafe as well as a restaurant. The former is perfect for slow afternoons while the latter is for those times when you want to pig out on your favourite Malay dishes.
The Lov Penang
Address: 296, Jalan Tun Dr Awang, 11900 Bayan Lepas
Pricing: $$
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The Lov Penang is a great hip hotel that offers modern high-quality rooms at reasonable rates! These rooms come with all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay, from air-conditioning to plush beds, en-suite toilets and baths—the works.
We also say that it’s hip because it’s hip because of its serene cafe. This spot is perfect for winding down, and drinking delicious cups of coffee while admiring the beautiful surrounding views of Penang.
The location isn’t that bad too, as it’s quite near the airport, the hospital and a boatload of stores, restaurants and hidden cafes that are worth checking out!
Amari SPICE Penang
Address: 2, Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Baru, 11900 Bayan Lepas
Pricing: $$$
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Amari Penang is another luxurious hotel in the city that will succeed in making your stay feel like a lavish vacation. It features luxurious suites that are perfect for couples, solo travellers, families and friend groups because of their spacious areas and wide range of amenities.
Furthermore, guests can pamper themselves at this hotel by experiencing massages and treatments in the in-house spa! Trust me, there’s nothing better than getting your knots kneaded after a full day of adventure.
The hotel also features an in-house restaurant that offers a wide array of dishes, ranging from local delicacies to international classics.
Raia Inn Penang
Address: Lot 5789 & 5790, Kompleks Tabung Haji, Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim
Phone: +60 4-641 2284
Pricing: $$
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If you’re not looking to spend the majority of your budget on accommodations, but still want to stay somewhere clean and modern, we recommend the Raia Inn Penang.
It’s an affordable 3-star hotel that features well-maintained rooms that still manage to tick all the boxes of a modern hotel room despite its cheap price. From air-conditioning to large plush beds, and dining areas, these rooms nail everything to a tee, without burning a hole in your pocket!
Lastly, it’s a stone’s throw away from the airport as well as other essential establishments like restaurants, cafes, stores and more!
Where to Eat near War Museum Penang
D’Seafood Paradise
Address: Jalan Teluk Tempoyak, 11960 Batu Maung
Phone: +60 4-626 6985
Pricing: $$
Website
You can always count on seafood whenever you’re in Penang because they’re always as fresh as they come. D’Seafood Paradise is one of the best places to see this statement in action, as they serve fresh catches of the day!
We can honestly say that there’s no wrong choice when it comes to their menu, but if you don’t know which one to order, we recommend going for the fish head soup.
Dining here is an entire experience in itself too, as you’ll be treated to beautiful panoramic views of the sea while you’re eating.
Medan Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak
Address: Jalan Teluk Tempoyak, Besar, Kampung Teluk Tempoyak Kecil, 11960 Bayan Lepas
Phone: +60 19-413 2572
Pricing: $$
Website
Medan Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak is another go-to place for locals who are looking to feast on the freshest seafood in the city. Much like the first entry, this restaurant is located by the sea so expect to be serenaded by the waves while you’re feasting on your favourite seafood.
What we find impressive about this restaurant is that the prices are quite reasonable! We’re used to seeing ridiculous prices once we see crabs, prawns, or any other types of seafood, so this place is a breath of fresh air!
Lam Huat Chicken Rice
Address: 1, Lintang Batu Maung, Taman Seri Indah, 11960 Bayan Lepas
Phone: +60 12-425 9815
Pricing: $
Website
If you’re looking for cheap eats that don’t compromise on quality, then Lam Huat Chicken Rice should be on your radar. It’s a no-frills restaurant, complete with plastic stools and rickety tables, but that’s part of its charm!
The real highlight here is the food and for all the right reasons. From the taste down to the serving size and price, everything is just perfect!
As you may have gleaned from the restaurant’s name, the best item to get from their menu is chicken rice. If you want our advice, however, we recommend adding some of their in-house chilli sauce for that extra kick
Tunas Bistro Batu Maung
Address: 12, Lintang Batu Maung 4, Taman Iping, 11960 Bayan Lepas
Phone: +60 4-645 0667
Pricing: $$
Website
Tunas Bistro Batu is another perfect example of great value for money. As you may have known, Malaysia is a cheap country for tourists, and it’s restaurants like these that make that claim true without giving a negative definition.
Here, you’ll be treated to delicious homemade dishes, ranging from local dishes to Western cuisines. You can order anything from their menu but if you want to be immersed in the country’s culture, you have to try their nasi lemak.
Burn Out Cafe
Address: 188, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 11900 Bayan Lepas
Phone: +60 17-600 4514
Pricing: $$
Website
If you want to get some grub as soon as you land from your flight, we recommend checking out Burn Out Cafe. This place serves a wide variety of both Western and local dishes, making it a perfect spot for those groups who can’t get on the same page when deciding where to eat.
You can easily get overwhelmed by the amount of food displayed on their menu so it would be best to stick to their bestsellers! Personally, we think that their lamb shank, carbonara, salmon and aglio olio are some of their best offerings.
What to Do in War Museum Penang
Take a guided tour
If you want to explore every crevice of the museum, we highly recommend going on a guided tour as opposed to just winging it. Doing this will let you get the most out of your trip, as you’ll be exposed to more information you wouldn’t otherwise discover if you’re on your own.
To inquire more about these tours, you can freely ask about them at the ticket counter.
Unmask the secrets of the historic fort
One of the most interesting things about this museum is that it’s built in a former fort, the remnants of which you could still see today. Upon exploring the museum, you’ll find the last preserved bits and pieces of it, from the barracks down to the underground tunnels.
Other sites that you can find around the museum include cookhouses, gun emplacements and various ammunition storage.
Refresh your knowledge of World War II
If your brain is a little foggy when it comes to remembering the Second World War, this museum will help you get your gears running again! The museum features exhibits that showcase the Japanese invasion of Malaysia as well as the experiences of the locals during the war.
You can also find displays that tell the story of the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA). This group was a resistance formed to fight against the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Climb the observation tower
If you want to catch the most stunning views of the surrounding area of the War Museum, you must climb the observation tower! Visiting here wouldn’t be complete without taking panoramic photos from this vantage point.
From here, you could also walk through the canon firing bay where you’ll find the remnants of the fort’s line of defense.
Run friendly paintball competitions with your friends
If you’re looking for something more exciting to do with your friends or family, you can engage in a friendly competition over a round of paintball. This is also a great way to release all of your bottled-up stress and anger throughout the week!
You can hone sharpshooting skills by firing paintballs at your friends, but the catch is that you’ll be a target too so you have to be on your feet! Don’t worry though, you won’t feel the pain too much since you’ll be provided with complete protective gear from head to toe.
Apps to Download for a Trip to War Museum Penang
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
iOs | Android
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
iOs | Android
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
iOs | Android
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
iOs | Android
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
iOs | Android
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app
iOs