Penang is proud of its status as a World Heritage Site and in celebration of this prestigious status, has made the 7th of July the George Town World Heritage Day.

Take in all that the city has to offer. Join other locals and visitors in appreciate of our culture, buildings, heritage, history and more.

George Town World Heritage Day 2024

Events Highlight – Programmes

Its the 16th Anniversary Celebration for George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024 and the celebration kicks off with Workshops and Live Dances. Here are the list of activities:

Workshops

Chingay Parade – Penang Chingay Association – 5:20pm, 6:15pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm. 9:20pm
Disguise in Teochew Opera Face – Teochew Puppet and Opera House
Bamboo Lantern: Shin like a Star – Persatuan Warisan Dato Koyah
The Making of Thiru Udayada – North Malaysia Malayali Samajam
Wayang Kulit: Miniature Pupper Bookmark Creation
Old is Gold: Spices Grinding and Pounding – Pennag Hindu Association
Chinese Paper Cutting and Flourish Strokes – Lum Yeong Tong Yap Temple Youth Section
Immerse in the Beading World – May Lim Siew Seng
Build Your Own Tiles! – Sim Art Studio
The Glamorous Henna – Henna Artists
Malay Musical Instruments – Persembahan Bunyian Traditional dan GEndangan Kontemporari – Badan Warisan Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh
Dough Figurine: Beyond Tradition – Loh Ban Tatt and Teoh Han Hoon Traditional Dough Figurines
Grace in Fabric: Vesti and Saree Draping Workshop –
The Colours of Batik – Warisan Balik Pulau
Make a Kimono Doll Bukkumaku – The Pink Hibiscus Club
Play-Play Penang! – Luma

Interactive Dance Floor

5:30pm Boria: Warisan George Town
6:00pm Loy Krathong Dance
6:30pm Japanese Dance Love Affair
7:00pm Telugu Biddalu Dance
8:05pm Dikir Barat: Clap with Awok-Awok!
9:20pm Dhol and Bhangra: Feel the Beat

Location Map

Click on map for a closer view, save this map on your smartphone or open this page to view the various locations of the evetns.

Source: https://gtwhi.com.my/

Locations for events and workshops above:

George Town World Heritage Incorporated
Armenian Park
Lebuh Armenian
Lebuh Aceh Basketball Court
Lum Yeong Tong Yap Temple
Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple
Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi

Note road closer on the day using the map below. Also note recommended pick-up and drop-off points.

Archived News

George Town World Heritage Day & George Town Heritage Celebration 2019

Date: 6 July 2019 to 7 July 2019

Venue: George Town, Heritage Zone

Years ago, on the 7^th of July 2008, George Town was accorded the World Heritage status and given a place by UNESCO among the list of Cities and Sites around the world for its “outstanding universal values”.

To commemorate the inscription of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an annual event is held, celebrating the living heritage that is George Town. The city, its heritage, multicultural practices, traditional food, arts and crafts and festivals take centre stage around the city.

A good example of the significance of such a status to a city is the Bath city in England where artifacts and evident of the old Roman settlement were found and studied along with the hot spring.

The award brought to light the many significant historical and architectural buildings, cultural heritage and values that are not only popular with people visiting Penang but help bring awareness preservation of these sites.

The fabric of civilization, multi-ethnic cultural heritage, old colonial influences and landscape has made Penang a very unique World Heritage Site.

It is no surprise that the state has chosen the 7^th of July as a Public Holiday to commemorate the award.

Related Links:

Georgetown World Heritage Site Celebrations: in celebration of the anniversary of inscription, the first celebration was in 2009, the celebration is back with a showcase of culture. Check out the official celebration website.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre: here is a list of other places around the globe that has been accorded the World Heritage Site status. At the time of writing, there are 981 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.

George Town World Heritage Site Celebration 2014 Event FB Album for a taster of what to expect during the celebration. You can also visit the official George Town heritage Celebration Facebook Page.