Penang War Museum
Penang War Museum
3.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
A private museum complex, built by the British as a hill fort in the 1930's used by the Japanese as a POW camp and killing place.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
195 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
73
Average
45
Poor
26
Terrible
19
Berry S
11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
For folk, like me, with an interest in military history, this is a must visit. The fact that the Brits built it in 1930 - obviously at vast expense, with careful planning - is more important than the displays. The fact that there was a battle for it is a bonus.
The exhibits are a bit tired & the way finding a little difficult but highly recommended nevertheless.
The exhibits are a bit tired & the way finding a little difficult but highly recommended nevertheless.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ani123
Townsville, Australia38 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I was very interested to see this place, to learn the history of the fort & about Penang's role in the war. However, I feel like I left knowing less than when I arrived.
The museum is in complete disrepair, signs have fallen down and faded so much you can't read them. Some displays are missing, and some displays have no descriptions or information at all.
There is no real route to take where you can see the history in consecutive order... its just random displays of random bits & pieces. It's sad to see such an important & interesting piece of history in such a state.
The museum is in complete disrepair, signs have fallen down and faded so much you can't read them. Some displays are missing, and some displays have no descriptions or information at all.
There is no real route to take where you can see the history in consecutive order... its just random displays of random bits & pieces. It's sad to see such an important & interesting piece of history in such a state.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bluey
Bali, Indonesia8 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Don't Go.
Nothing of significance only concrete buildings and loads of mosquitos.
Nothing original in way of artifacts and no real organised route to take etc.
Nothing of significance only concrete buildings and loads of mosquitos.
Nothing original in way of artifacts and no real organised route to take etc.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suratrichard
Surat Thani, Thailand1,597 contributions
Apr 2023
Average to very good is quite a large jump! This attraction is better than average but probably not quite very good…I would rate it good. However, it’s certainly worth visiting and shows the dark days in World War 2 when it became a prisoner of war camp controlled by the Japanese invaders of Penang Island. Some areas did seem rather neglected but overall, it was informative.
There are many steps so anyone with mobility problems would experience difficulty in seeing the whole area. The other big problem was the mosquitos so if visiting, make sure you take mosquito repellent with you.
It’s not the cheapest attraction in Penang…it cost 76MYR for 2persons. If you go by car, you have to pay extra. If you’ve no car, the bast way is by taxi.
There are many interesting artifacts on display along with some quite gruesome areas…the gallows and execution, by beheading area…maybe not for the faint hearted!
It doesn’t take all that long to wander around…probably about an hour and a half allowing for photo opportunities etc.
Worth visiting but don’t forget the mosquito repellents!
There are many steps so anyone with mobility problems would experience difficulty in seeing the whole area. The other big problem was the mosquitos so if visiting, make sure you take mosquito repellent with you.
It’s not the cheapest attraction in Penang…it cost 76MYR for 2persons. If you go by car, you have to pay extra. If you’ve no car, the bast way is by taxi.
There are many interesting artifacts on display along with some quite gruesome areas…the gallows and execution, by beheading area…maybe not for the faint hearted!
It doesn’t take all that long to wander around…probably about an hour and a half allowing for photo opportunities etc.
Worth visiting but don’t forget the mosquito repellents!
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane
Perth, Australia252 contributions
Feb 2023
Had a great visit here. Spent about 2 hours there. If you have an interest in military matters worth a look. It is interesting in that all the gun emplacement and barracks and office areas are still there. Gave a good understanding of how the place worked. Was a bit hard to get a Grab there but relatively easy to get one back. Watch out for mosquitoes. Worth taking repellant.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter
Nelson, New Zealand117 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Worth a visit especially if you like history. Had about 2 hours to wander around look at the exhibits and read the information. An interesting part of British and Malaysian history even though it is not that pleasant. Reports its haunted, I didn't feel anything unusual so don't let that put you off visiting. Bring mosquitoe repellent cause you are in the bush.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1953bloke
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia21 contributions
Jun 2022
Very disappointing. Overpriced entry to overrated attraction. Could do with trimming some trees so that approaching Japanese warships can be seen and engaged.
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RiRo555
Singapore, Singapore25 contributions
Dec 2021
After more than 50 years rediscovered in the jungle, the place looks like abandoned only yesterday. Fully intact, superbly restored, tip top maintained (not always a given in the country even with historic sites...) its a history lesson of WWII few people will know, as not the finest day for the British forces and the beginning of dark times of Japanese atrocities. But its important for everybody to know what happened, to know history and to avoid such terrible things to happen again, a theme of the place. Restored to detail and at quality levels un paralleled in Malaysia, to the man and his team who made it happen, and keep it so well in shape, a huge compliment.
Written 25 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mudcow
Ferrara, Italy337 contributions
Nov 2021
I wasn't expecting much after reading several reviews. It was actually a lot better than I was expecting but largely because of our guide.
There was more information to read than in most Malaysian museums. However the accuracy of some of it was questionable. For instance the information about a Kamikaze vest claimed that it was the type used in 1941. However Kamikaze attacks by the Japanese did not start until 1944.
The presence of the paintball centre and items for nightime ghost walks do detract slightly from the museum but if they make it financially viable then they are needed.
Entry was 22RM per person with Malaysian ID. We paid an additional 100RM for a "Ranger" to guide us for an hour. This was absolutely worth it and added greatly to the visit. I would reccomend taking this option but for 2 hours. Our hour ran out about 2/3 of the way down the museum. We self guided for the rest and it simply wasn't as good.
Definitly take water and insect repellent, be prepared to crawl and climb if you want to make the most of the experience.
This place could be absolutely brilliant, it would take some serious investment though and we were grateful that it had managed to survive the pandemic. As it stands, it's middle of the road. Worth a couple of hours.
There was more information to read than in most Malaysian museums. However the accuracy of some of it was questionable. For instance the information about a Kamikaze vest claimed that it was the type used in 1941. However Kamikaze attacks by the Japanese did not start until 1944.
The presence of the paintball centre and items for nightime ghost walks do detract slightly from the museum but if they make it financially viable then they are needed.
Entry was 22RM per person with Malaysian ID. We paid an additional 100RM for a "Ranger" to guide us for an hour. This was absolutely worth it and added greatly to the visit. I would reccomend taking this option but for 2 hours. Our hour ran out about 2/3 of the way down the museum. We self guided for the rest and it simply wasn't as good.
Definitly take water and insect repellent, be prepared to crawl and climb if you want to make the most of the experience.
This place could be absolutely brilliant, it would take some serious investment though and we were grateful that it had managed to survive the pandemic. As it stands, it's middle of the road. Worth a couple of hours.
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyB_au
Oakleigh, Australia316 contributions
Feb 2020
I enjoyed my hour walking around here. It's well laid out, well signposted and it has lots of things to see. It's well preserved.
It's not easy to walk around (lots of steps and hills) so be prepared for a walk.
Be aware that it's difficult to get a taxi/grab on your way out so you may have to walk down that great big hill.
It's not easy to walk around (lots of steps and hills) so be prepared for a walk.
Be aware that it's difficult to get a taxi/grab on your way out so you may have to walk down that great big hill.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ani123
Townsville, Australia38 contributions
Are there guided tours? Or is it completed self guided?
Robyn M
Canberra, Australia87 contributions
What are the opening hours and are there night tours?
Connector716784
1 contribution
The museum opens daily from 9am until 6pm.
miloaustralia
australia23 contributions
How much is the entrance fee for adults?
wessy
uk123 contributions
As I remember around 35 ringits
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