Gurney Drive
Known in Malay as Persiaran Gurney, Gurney Drive is one of the most popular night spots in Penang. It is also often referred to as “The New Esplanade” as the original Esplanade is located in Georgetown. Gurney Drive was named after Sir Henry Gurney who was the Malayan High Commissioner. He was killed by the guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party in the early 1950s.
At night, Gurney Drive becomes alive with exciting restaurants and food stalls everywhere. Gurney Drive is a beautiful mix of the modern and traditional aesthetics. Not only it is a paradise that hosts many scrumptious local foods like Rojak Buah, Char Kuey Teow and Asam Laksa, it also houses many historical architecture and relics dating back to the 1800s. For shopaholics, fret not, there are also modern malls built especially to cater to the wants and needs of shoppers.
Once a sandy beach, Gurney Drive is now home to many prominent colonial bungalows, pre-war buildings and houses, as well as the College General Complex. The Complex was once used to train Catholic priests in India, China, Thailand, Myanmar, and Japan.
Image by KeWynn Lee.
Opening Hours
The street is always open.
The opening hours of the individual shops, restaurants and malls varies.
Admission
FREE.
Hear From Others
Bringing you the best foods that make Penang Island a food paradise in this top tourist dive.
Derrick Chee
HungryGoWhere
There were so many food stalls to choose from, and I was so overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start. I wanted to eat everything!
Nearby Attractions
Dhamikarama Burmese Temple
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Wat Chaiyamangalaram Reclining Buddha
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Penang Botanic Gardens
An old quarry turned into a breath-taking landscape of gardens, those who come to Penang should set foot on the Penang Botanic Garden to experience the inviting greeneries.