One of the best ways to see Penang Bridge is by taking a ferry ride across the Malacca Strait, a stretch of water that separates Malaysia from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Several Penang sightseeing tours cover the bridge, alongside other top attractions, such as the historic center of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the 18th-century Fort Cornwallis; the hilltop Kek Lok Si Temple; and Penang Hill, home to nature trails and wild monkeys.
If you’re traveling from mainland Malaysia to Penang by road, you’ll need to cross the bridge in order to reach the island. If you’re traveling from George Town, the bridge is about a 25-minute drive via Jambatan Pulau Pinang.
Every year Penang Bridge (Jambatan Pulau Pinang) opens to pedestrians for the Penang marathon, which usually takes place on a Sunday in November or December. The annual sporting event is an international event with accompanying celebration.
If you’re staying on mainland Malaysia, you don’t have to cross over the Penang Bridge to find things to do. In Seberang Prai, stroll down the brightly colored Butterworth Art Walk, admire the intricate architecture of the Taoist Temple of the Nine Emperors, and visit Penang Bird Park to observe the hundreds of rare species of birds that live there—about half of which are native to Malaysia.