Gurney Drive which is also commonly identified as Persiaran Gurney is one of the most visited areas in Penang. Popular among locals and foreigners alike as ‘The New Esplanade’, Gurney Drive comes alive at night, offering its visitors the chance to shop and dine by the sea when the sun goes down.
Named after the famed Sir Henry Gurney, Gurney Drive is a delight for the hawker. The area is best known for its endless dining options. Most of its food stalls and food courts are open till late night providing the best of Penang cuisine. Apart from the busy and crowded food stalls, Gurney Drive is also home to quite a few up market restaurants serving a range of delectable dishes amidst a relatively relaxed ambience. Such places include New Gurney Drive Food Court, Bali Hai Restaurant, Coffee Island, Corner Club Restaurant and Mr. Pot.
Although mostly famous for its food stalls and restaurants by night, Gurney Drive is also complete with some intriguing tourist attractions like the two beautiful temples Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram as well as the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple. Wat Chaiya which was set up in 1845 is famous for its 33 meter long reclining statue of Buddha. Meanwhile, Dharmikarama Burmese Temple is famed as the first ever Burmese temple built in Penang.
Apart from tasting mouth watering food and exploring the sights and sounds of Gurney Drive, visitors can also engage in many other exciting activities like watching the newest blockbuster movies at the ultra modern 12 hall Cineplex in the popular Gurney Plaza. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll or jog along the pavement, head to the Puteri Ledang Traditional Foot Reflexology and Body Massage at Gurney Plaza or even visit the well known Kenko Reflexology and Fish Spa.
The nightlife scene at Gurney Drive is also lively and exciting and is complimented by many trendy bars such as 75°C Restaurant and Bar, Martini Café, G Spot and The Chillout Club. The best place to shop in this part of Penang is the lavish Gurney Plaza that boasts more than 400 retail stores selling almost every product you could imagine.
The best way to discover the little yet unique surprises of Gurney Drive is to stay at a nearby Penang beach hotel. This amazing metropolis is home to many world class hotels that feature top class facilities for a pleasant stay. Staying at a successful Penang hotel such as Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang will not only offer you with easy access to this famous seaside esplanade but it also offer the chance to explore many other intriguing attractions in the vicinity.
