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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
198 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
76
Average
43
Poor
26
Terrible
20
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.
WO YU LE LUTHER M
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
I went with my friends for a mini school trip, the overall view was nice. I also learned a lot of history. Overall museum was kind of short, took us 45minutes - 1hour to walk the whole museum.
Written 13 December 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.
Berry S
19 contributions
Sept 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.
Pacman G
40 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
Manipulation of facts, i.e Kamikaze Vest,r u sure (look pic)? Yamashita (a slim) photoshopped picture sitting there 1941, what is this, paint ball in a museum? ghost ghost ghost stories...come on, this is such a shameful place ro visit and totally frustrated to see a potential museum ruined by these...
See pictures to believe
2nd time came, still very disappointed after telling them about this first time visited 12 years ago
See pictures to believe
2nd time came, still very disappointed after telling them about this first time visited 12 years ago
Written 14 December 2024
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.
joan_uran
Singapore245 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
You can either gawk at the rather dilapidated, worn and tired looking exhibits such as rusted rifles, faded and peeling posters, or feel a tinge of sadness and grief as these remind you of the passage of time that perhaps failed to wash the pain of those who experienced the horrors of war. Urban legend has it that this place is haunted. That we're not sure. It was bright daylight when we were there, with a bunch of locals and school children there who are perhaps on a school excursion. We didn't dare to walk into tunnels or climb up ladders haha since the aura of the place does seem abit lingeringly haunting. It would have been better if there is a guided tour but we did not take the option. There is one old barrack showing the mock-up of a comfort house which if you look into the window, has a woman mannequin whose face is hidden by its long hair. I warned my husband that there is such a dummy in there before he looks in and scare the daylights of himself haha. A less popular place with tourists but you would see more locals.
Written 18 December 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.
kra63
Sydney, Australia10 contributions
Dec 2019
An interesting place to visit if you are a history buff. It's about a 20-25 min drive from Georgetown and the taxi driver charged us RM50 to get there. Try to arrange a pick up after as there will be no taxis waiting for you outside due to the secluded location. We tried Grab but somehow it refused to function on our phone, probably due to bad internet connection. Luckily the reception staff helped us and it was RM18 on Grab (so we knew we were taken for a ride by the first cabbie who dropped us off).
The place itself is interesting but I felt that more information can be offered through better curating. A lot of printed information are so faded it's hard to read and some of the history portrayed isn't even about Penang or Malaysia. Would be nice to know more about what happened in the place itself.
Worth having a look for sure...
The place also doubles as a paint ball place, which is a bit strange.
Wear comfy clothes and shoes so you can explore and climb and crawl.
The place itself is interesting but I felt that more information can be offered through better curating. A lot of printed information are so faded it's hard to read and some of the history portrayed isn't even about Penang or Malaysia. Would be nice to know more about what happened in the place itself.
Worth having a look for sure...
The place also doubles as a paint ball place, which is a bit strange.
Wear comfy clothes and shoes so you can explore and climb and crawl.
Written 1 January 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.
Suratrichard
Surat Thani, Thailand2,674 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.
JA Rutt
3 contributions
Feb 2020
As a British Army veteran, I make an effort to visit any location along my travels that shares a part of this great common heritage. The site itself has a lot of potential, however I must be honest and state that at the moment it falls far short. What needs to happen, as far as I can tell, is for the site to come under the supervision of a professional historian or archeologist, as well as an experienced curator. My hope would be that the management can perhaps liaise with the Imperial War Museum or the British Army Museum, as this site represents a particularly interesting glimpse into the living conditions of British and Indian Army personnel stationed on the peninsula. Furthermore, there are elements of the musuem which, to put mildly, are borderline offensive because they entertain the macabre without attempting to remain in any way objective. I suspect the management mean well, however the presentation comes across, at times, as disrespectful and even obnoxious. At times, it resembles a particularly insensitive elementary school art project, rather than the monument to the sacrifice of British and Commonwealth casualties that it purports to be.
Written 8 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.
Jamie J
18 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
They told us this museum is one of the most haunted place in Asia. For the first entrance i just feel its like a normal museum, but when u go further it change how u feel, its not like to scary bcoz its day, but kind of like sorrowful, sad, scare a little bit bcoz of the photos... Real photos and what happens. We should glad we r not born in that time. Its remind us how grateful i am, how independence make your life much better
Written 20 January 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.
Sandy T
8 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
I was not convinced that we should go but wow this was definitely worth the visit. A step back in time with a past that will send shivers up your spine. Known to be a haunted site, this place is a must visit when in Penang.
Written 23 November 2024
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.
Are there guided tours? Or is it completed self guided?
Written 28 January 2023
What are the opening hours and are there night tours?
Written 6 April 2015
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