MY · Penang · 5.37°N 100.46°E

bukit mertajam

Old-town hawker crawl on the mainland side, plus the St Anne's Church pilgrimage.

Best time
Any time of year for the food. The St Anne's feast and novena in late July bring huge crowds and heavy traffic.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 3.5 hours' drive from KL on the North–South Expressway, and the ETS stops at Bukit Mertajam. It's about 20 minutes from Butterworth and 40 minutes from Penang airport.
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MY · Penangbukit mertajam5.37°N 100.46°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Old-town hawker crawl on the mainland side, plus the St Anne's Church pilgrimage.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBukit MertajamMY, Penang
KLbukit mertajam
≈ 283 km from KL, as the crow flies
Skyline of the town of Bukit Mertajam in Penang, Malaysia at night

Photo: Vnonymous · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A busy town on the Penang mainland, a short drive from Butterworth. Its old town has a loyal hawker following, and St Anne's Church draws huge crowds of pilgrims every July for the feast of St Anne.

Makan

  1. Hawker breakfastThe old market area is where locals go for char koay teow, noodle soups and kuih.Map ↗
  2. Kopitiam coffeeOld-school coffee shops pour thick kopi to go with toast and soft-boiled eggs.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. St Anne's ChurchA large modern church next to the original 19th-century one, the focus of the July pilgrimage.Map ↗
  2. The old townWalk the shophouse streets and the busy market area at breakfast time.Map ↗
  3. Cherok TokunA forest park on the hill above town, with jungle trails and an old inscribed rock.Map ↗
  4. Butterworth and the ferryPair it with Butterworth and a ferry ride across to George Town.Map ↗

Good to know

  • During the novena in late July, park further out and walk in.
  • Dress modestly and keep quiet inside the church, especially during Mass.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.