Penang 1-day itinerary

Start your day at Armenian Street by 8am before the heat builds. Follow the famous street art trail — Ernest Zacharevic's "Kids on Bicycle" and "Boy on Motorbike" murals are the icons, but dozens of wrought-iron caricatures line the surrounding lanes. Walk south to the Chew Jetty, a waterfront village of stilted wooden houses where Chinese clan families have lived since the 19th century. Grab a fresh coconut (RM3) from the jetty entrance vendors and walk to the end for harbour views. The morning light here is perfect for photography.

Grab bus 201 or 204 from Komtar (RM2) to Air Itam. First stop: Kek Lok Si, Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple — a sprawling hilltop complex with a pagoda blending Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architecture. The inclined lift to the Kuan Yin statue costs RM6. Then walk 15 minutes to the Penang Hill funicular railway base station (RM30 return). The 5-minute ride to the 833m summit delivers panoramic views across Georgetown, the Strait of Malacca, and the mainland. Lunch at the David Brown's restaurant terrace or the cheaper food court at the summit.

Head to Gurney Drive Hawker Centre for Penang's legendary street food. This is the food capital of Asia and the hawker stalls prove it. Order char kway teow (RM8) — smoky flat noodles fried in duck egg and lard — from Ah Leng, who has a permanent queue. Add Penang laksa (RM6) with its tangy tamarind broth, and cendol (RM4) shaved ice with palm sugar and coconut milk from Teochew Cendol. Walk off dinner along the seafront promenade, then head to Love Lane for craft cocktails at Out of Nowhere bar or live music at Ome by Spacebar.