Macalister Road is one of the main thoroughfares in George Town. It was named after Colonel Norman Macalister, a confidante to Captain Francis Light. Macalister served as Governor of Penang from 1807 to 1811.
Macalister Road was built in stages to eventually achieve its full length. For much of the first hundred years of its existence, it was a dirt track out of George Town. It starts at the six-point junction (with Gladstone Road removed, now there's only five points to the junction) in front of present-day Komtar, and ends at Western Road (Jalan Utama).
As with all main roads in Penang, Macalister Road follows a complicated traffic flow. From Komtar to Anson Road, traffic flows both ways. From Anson Road to Perak Road, it flows eastward. From Perak Road to Residency Road, it flows westward while from Residency Road to Western Road, it again flows eastward.
The character of Macalister Road is as diverse as its traffic flow. From Komtar to Anson Road, it is a concrete jungle with trees and built-up area close to the road. Within this section is the former King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the Menara Umno and the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall.
Macalister Road becomes increasingly leafy beyond the Anson Road junction. Tall Angsana trees (Pterocarpus indicus), a Penang living heritage, were planted along Macalister Road by Charles Curtis, curator of the Penang Botanic Gardens in the late 19th century. The famous Sisters Char Koay Teow is located near the junction with Perak Road.
Macalister Road is a fast-speed thoroughfare between Perak Road and Residency Road. YMCA and Island Hospital are located on this stretch. The famous Baobab Tree tree planted by Captain Speedy is at the junction of Residency Road.
The final stretch of Macalister Road is also a fast-speed thoroughfare, but runs in oppose direction from the earlier stretch. The official residence of the Penang Chief Minister, Sri Teratai, is located here, as is the St George's Girls School. Two Buddhist welfare associations, Tzu Chi and Che Hoon Khor, are also found along this stretch.
Getting there
Due to its length, several buses pass through Macalister Road. Check the Rapid Penang Bus Routes to determine the right bus to go to specific stretch of the road. Buses 10, 101, 104 and 304 pass through Macalister Road.
