Menara Komtar

The  Komtar is'nt important, because it's a shopping complex in the centre of Georgetown. From the Komtar you can visit every highlight of the island. It's you're starting point to discover Georgetown and the island of Penang.
Menara Komtar is still Penang's tallest building, a landmark in the city of Georgetown. When this skyscraper topped out, (reached full height during construction phase) it was the tallest building in Asia. It is located in the heart of Georgetown. The name of the building is in honour of the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, the late Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein. Komtar means Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak ( KOMTAR).
The height of the building is 232m. It's a 65-storey complex, which consists of offices, shops, food-courts and most importantly the Penang central government's office.

You'll find the shops on the second, third and fourth floor. On the third floor is a tourist information center.  And when you walk into the Parkson Grand you'll find a sky bridge to a very modern shopping complex: the Prangin' Mall. Shops are not the most important tourists attraction of the Komtar, because there are very modern shopping complexes now on Penang: Island Plaza Shopping Centre, Midlands Park Centre (better known as 1-Stop) and Kompleks Bukit Jambul. And...... of course, don't forget the latest - Tesco hypermarket. Komtar is also connected to a hotel on the third floor: the Shangri-La. Here There you'll step from the Parkson Grand right into the conference rooms of the Shangri-La.

Tourist Information Centre

So.... shops, tourist information centre, sky bridge to the Prangin' Mall. Yes, but the Komtar is the oldest shopping centre. Komtar was once the shopping haven for Penangites as shoppers could purchase almost anything under the sun. Now shops (like Popular) are moving to other shopping centres (Prangin' Mall). For more than a decade from the early 1980s, Komtar reigned supreme as the shopping centre of Penang. Nestled at the foot of the Komtar Tower, it was an important part of the overall integrated redevelopment of George Town, with its hotel, cinema's and the office tower block, where the State Government is located, and an international exhibition centre. It's still has a function. Elderly people join together near the McDonalds and the government offices are still here. At the ground floor is the post office and at the third floor there are promotions of all kind of things: computers, clothes from Thailand etc.

Escalator to the Post Office at the ground level.

But still the Komtar is important. From this landmark you'll discover Georgetown. On walking distance are: the Khoo Kongsi, Kapitan Kling Mosque, Penang Road and Chulia Street. And if you don't want to walk, you'll get on the bus.

the Shuttle Bus

There's a free bus service courtesy of the Georgetown Municipal Council. Here you can hop on the bus at street level. The free shuttle bus takes you around and stops only at the tourist attractions of Georgetown. The shuttle bus goes from the Komtar to the ferry to Butterworth. The service runs at regular 12-minute intervals from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Mondays to Fridays and 7:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays. There is no service on Sundays and public holidays. The free shuttle bus goes in a circular direction. This free service helps you save time and money touring Gorge Town heritage and commercial attractions. The entire journey takes approximately 45 minutes.