Penang Time Tunnel – History Museum

Wedged in a row of shop houses along Jalan Green Hall in Georgetown, with an unassuming facade is Penang Time Tunnel, the History Museum.

Despite its name, this latest Penang tourist destination is actually a combination of attractions that goes beyond just the history of Penang Island, dating back to at least 400 years ago.

Within the double-storey building is an amazing array of 2D and 3D mural gallery, an interesting 3D Fluorescent Dream World, and an anti-gravity photography corner that would marvel anyone who comes for a visit.

Visitors to Penang Time Tunnel would first have to walk through (all on the ground floor), the eleven time tunnels beginning with Penang in 1592 to 1786 for the Early History of the island.

The second tunnel is on the Founder of Penang, Captain Sir Francis Light. Next is on the Growing Multi-racial Population, followed by the Early Period of Straits Settlements.

Tunnel Five documents the Penang Riots from 1867 to 1892, while the next tunnel is on the Colony between Eastern and Western Political Movements (1893 – 1911).

The next five tunnels are on Penang before the End of the Second World War (1912 – 1945), The Age of Post-war Political Turbulence (1945 – 1957), The Recession and Turbulent Years after Independence (1957 – 1969), Laying the Foundation for Industralisation (1969 – 2000) and finally, on the Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development of Penang in 2000 and beyond.

At the end of these tunnels is the “Memory Lane” where photo opportunities are available at an old kopitiam setting, with the bicycle, rickshaw and even with Mr. Bean, which seemed somewhat misplaced.

On the first floor are the 3D mural gallery, 3D Fluorescent Dream World and the anti-gravity room. As you know, to make the best out of 3D art, normally, photographs have to be taken in portrait mode but for the sake of uniformity on this blog, I have adhered to landscape mode for my photos.

Said to be the latest top tourist attraction in Penang, it is a destination not to be missed while visiting the island. It helps that most information is made available in up to seven languages, such as English, Malay, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Thai and Chinese. Audio tour is also offered, besides a video clip of the air raid on Penang by Japanese warplane during World War II.

To really enjoy Penang Time Tunnel, one would need at least two hours. Remember, there’s a lot of reading in the Time Tunnel section, that is if you are interested in the history and development of Penang.

So, for the admission fee, I would suggest to allow enough time to really move through the entire two levels. Only ten people are allowed into the tunnel at a time, to avoid congestion.

And then there are so many amazing 3D artworks that you just have to pose for a photo. Luckily, even if you visit Penang Time Tunnel alone, there is always a helpful staff member who would willingly hold your camera for you.

For me, my favourite has to be the anti-gravity room. That is because as a Perakian, I have no particular interest in the history of Penang, and after the first awe of 3D art at Ipoh‘s Goddess of Mercy cave temple and subsequently at Ipoh Parade Mall, I am a little jaded.

Still, if you were to ask me which gallery I prefer, I would have to say that Penang Time Tunnel, by artist WK Setor, is better because the gallery in Ipoh by Uncle Fie is way too commercialised with the many advertisements within each piece of artwork.

My concern is that due to space constraints, there may be no room for growth for Penang Time Tunnel, particularly for the attractions on the upper floor.

Perhaps, like the 3D exhibition in Ipoh, the artist will repaint certain pieces of work with fresh ones, to keep attracting returning visitors.

Do take note that these photos that I am sharing are just a fraction of the attractions available at Penang Time Tunnel, particularly the 3D art gallery. It’s best to make a visit there yourself!

Visiting hours:
Mondays – 9.15am – 7.30pm (Last admission at 6.30pm)
Tuesdays to Fridays – 9.15am – 7pm (Last admission at 6pm)
Saturdays / Sundays / Public Holidays: 9.15am – 9pm (Last admission at 8pm)

Ticket prices:
Adult
with MyKad – RM15
Standard – RM25

Child (5 – 12 years old)
with MyKid – RM7
Standard – RM15

Student (with valid student ID)
with MyKid / MyKad – RM10
Standard – RM15

Penang Time Tunnel
Add: 39, Jalan Green Hall, 10200 Georgetown, Penang.
Tel: +604-2619181
Web: www.penangtimetunnel.com
Email: pghistorymuseum@gmail.com

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