KOMTAR, Penang

Komtar sticks out in the Penang skyline and you can't miss it. All bus journeys start and end there. Use it as your base and walk around the area. Lots to see and eat and shop. Very friendly and patient locals.

Comtar Tower supposed to be Penang's icon that is featured in Visit Penang brochure, is really a disgrace. It is dilapidated and many shops in there are closed. And get this - one has to pay $15 entrance fees to get into the 60 floor tower top view - or eat at the restaurant one floor below it!

This tall skyscraper is very outstanding in Penang. Almost everywhere you go in Georgetown, you can see it. It is like a good way finding landmark. It can be seen even from the Prai side. Komtar used to be the prime shopping mall in Penang. However, nowadays, people are going to other newer shopping malls around the island.

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KOMTAR is a short name for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak and it is the tallest building here in Penang with 65 storeys high.

Although KOMTAR is not among the most tallest building in the world, but visiting the roof-top of this building surely a great memory for one to experience. Here in KOMTAR you can either go to the inside watch-out storey or the roof top to have a bird eyes view of Penang.

During my recent visit, I wrote an official letter to KOMTAR Management asking for levi to bring in my group to visit KOMTAR and we got it free without any charges. And surprisingly, we had been brought up to the roof-top which is where the helipad is. Its surely a great experience to just walk along the top railing of KOMTAR. It is very windy and it is a perfect spot to snap Penang's landscaping picture.

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The highest building in town does not have a particularly inspired desing but it offers breathtaking views of the entire city from its panormic terrace. Well worth the few ringgits that the lift ride costs.

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This 65-story tower is essentially the lone building in Georgetown's skyline. The 55th floor offers a panoramic view of the city and on clear days, the distant Kedah Peak on the mainland is visible.

Bottom-line: Nice views, but you can find better on Penang Hill.... and in a far more appealing natural setting.

Komtar used to be a hot spot for hanging around with frineds a few years ago. However, after the Penang government moved their development focus to more outskirt places(exp Bukit Jambul, Onestop, Gurney Plaza), Komtar had been abandoned.

However, the town is now re-energized by Praingin Mall and yet to be constructed Times Square.

There is a restaurant on one of the higher floors of this building that serves great food. It is also a good place to take children or family, and there is a gift shop on another floor selling Malay souvenirs and gifts to take home for friends and family. Easy to get to.