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The Standard Chartered Bank building on Beach Street is a stout four-storey structure in British Palladian style. The Chartered bank of India, China and Australia arrived on Penang shores in 1875, making it the oldest bank branch in Malaysia. It is one of the two British exchange banks in this region; the other being the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank directly on the opposite side of the road. The present building was completed in 1930, and is houses the bank today. The building displays a combination of elements drawn from the Palladian, Classical and Art Deco architectural styles.

Nearby Sights

Stretching your budget in Penang

If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.

Penang Tour Guides

If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:

Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang

If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:

  • Hotel Mingood, from US$10.00
  • Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
  • Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
  • E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
  • YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
  • Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63


  • Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.


    Standard Chartered Bank, front façade.



    Standard Chartered Bank, side view.



    Click for list of Penang Heritage Sites



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    Local Tours in Penang

    It is often more practical to book your tours online. You have the luxury of time to go through what are the tours you intend to take, rather than having to make a decision on your feet. Check out the local tours in Penang that you can book online.



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    Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.