MY · Penang · 5.28°N 100.29°E

batu maung

A hilltop British fort turned war museum, Zheng He's footprint and seafood by the bridge.

Best time
Any time of year. Do the fort in the morning before it gets hot; most of it is outdoors and on a slope.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 4 hours' drive from KL on the North–South Expressway, crossing the second bridge, which lands right at Batu Maung. From George Town it's about 30 minutes, and it's close to Penang airport.
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MY · Penangbatu maung5.28°N 100.29°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A hilltop British fort turned war museum, Zheng He's footprint and seafood by the bridge.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBatu MaungMY, Penang
KLbatu maung
≈ 284 km from KL, as the crow flies
Steles marking the multiple renovations of Penang Snake Temple.

Photo: LEE 003 · CC BY 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A fishing village at the southeast tip of Penang Island, where the second bridge comes ashore. On the hill above it, a British fort built in the 1930s, later used by the Japanese to hold prisoners of war, is now the Penang War Museum, with tunnels, gun emplacements and barracks to explore.

Makan

  1. Curry fish headClay-pot curry fish head at the restaurant in the fisheries jetty compound, a long-time local favourite.Map ↗
  2. Ikan bakarTeluk Tempoyak, the next village along, is known for its grilled fish.Map ↗
  3. SeafoodFresh fish, prawns and squid at the seafood places around the jetty and the bridge.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Penang War MuseumTunnels, gun emplacements, barracks and lookout towers spread over the hillside fort.Map ↗
  2. Sam Poh Footprint TempleA small seaside temple around a giant footprint in the rock, said to be Admiral Zheng He's, looking out at the bridge.Map ↗
  3. Snake TempleThe temple at Sungai Kluang, built in 1850, where pit vipers coil around the altars. About 10 minutes away.Map ↗
  4. The fishing jettyBoats, nets and the second bridge stretching away across the channel.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Wear shoes with grip for the fort. The tunnels are dark and narrow, and some displays may be too grim for young kids.
  • At the Snake Temple, look but don't touch.

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