Originally known as Penang Fort, Penang’s War Museum is not just for war history buffs—anyone who appreciates atmospheric historical sites may find themselves spending more time here than planned.
Travel better, travel smarter
Save money, receive our latest updates and get the most out of your travels.
Atop Bukit Batu Maung at the southern tip of Pulau Penang, the privately run museum is far from a dry brick and mortar display of artefacts in glass cases, but a former British bastion built in the 1930s and later occupied by the Japanese and utilised as a POW camp during WWII. For decades the sprawling eight hectare complex was largely forgotten, reclaimed by jungle and local tales of ghosts kept folks away until it was cleared to reveal a network of tunnels, bunkers and barracks that visitors can now explore.
Plenty of exhibits. Photo: Sally Arnold
After twisting your way up the serpentine road to the top of the hill and paying your entrance fee, you are left to investigate the area following a series of arrowed paths. A map with numbered relics (although the numbers are in a nonsensical order for exploration) and signage with short explanations in English offers some insight into what you are seeing and the quiet shady grounds provides a respectful ambience to a gloomy history.
You are able to enter underground bunkers and crawl through the tunnels (“7 metres crawl, 9 metres climb” one sign warned) although we deemed them too narrow after indulging on Penang’s gastronomic delights. On the headland, gun firing bays and ammunition stores are interesting to investigate, and further along the path an observation tower offers views of the strait.
Creepy in places. Photo: Sally Arnold
We found the barracks that had previously housed British, Indian and Malay ranks and later commandeered as torture chambers by the Japanese the most moving. Be warned some of the displays are very graphic with shades of S21 in Cambodia showing violent photographs and torture equipment and another informs of the plight of “comfort woman”—local ... Travelfish members only (Around 500 more words) ... please log in to read the rest of this story.
Don’t miss the boat!
Please subscribe to Travelfish.org to read the rest of this article, or log in here.
Subscribing to Travelfish costs A$35 per year and it gets you access to more than 200 downloadable guides to specific destinations, fabulous discount coupons and 50% off our personalised travel planning service. Sign up here.
By
Sally Arnold.
Last updated on 27th September, 2017.
Popular hotels in Penang on Agoda
(67 reviews)
(637 reviews)
(44 reviews)
(28 reviews)
(604 reviews)
How to get there
Rapid Penang buses 302 and 307 (4 ringgit) leave from the Jetty and Komtar to Batu Maung and takes around 1.5 hours, but it’s a steep 20 minute uphill trek to the War Museum. A Grab car from Georgetown to the museum is 20—30 ringgit and takes around 30 minutes.
Location map for War Museum
Popular attractions in Penang
A selection of some of our favourite sights and activities around Penang.
Best places to stay in Penang
A selection of some of our favourite places to stay in Penang.
What next?
Browse our independent reviews of places to stay in and around Penang.
Check prices, availability & reviews on Agoda or Booking
Read up on where to eat on Penang.
Check out our listings of things to do in and around Penang.
Read up on how to get to Penang.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Penang? Please read this.
Browse the web securely while travelling with TunnelBear. Try with a 7–day free trial.
