Penang War Museum & Batu Maung Fort

Penang War Museum, Georgetown Penang Overview

Penang War Museum is a former British military fortress which once served as the site for the legendary Battle of Penang against the Japanese army. Situated in Bukit Batu Maung on Penang's southern coast, it now serves as a museum gaining fame as Southeast Asia's largest war museum. It is also dubbed as one of Asia's most haunted sites.

This is owing to its dark history as a torture-house and prison. Many people have claimed to have witnessed paranormal sightings and ghostly apparitions. Being a site for dark tourism, this is what makes this historical site stand apart from others. However, there are varying accounts to this claim.

This privately-run Penang War Museum has a lot to explore including underground tunnels and several historical artefacts like cannons.

Exploring Penang War Museum

Although in disuse, most of the structures at the war museum are intact to wander and explore. There are many underground tunnels, ammunition bunkers, cookhouses and underground offices. Interestingly, some of these tunnels are also linked to the sea.

Visitors can check out the barracks where the British, Malay and Indian soldiers used to live and through old photographs, get an idea of the kind of life the prisoners and the soldiers led there. Also, there are many artefacts on display including an old bicycle and cannons. Lots of information boards and signs have also been put up.

History

The Penang War Museum has the defunct former British bastion, built in the 1930s as a defense structure against the sea invasion by the Imperial Japanese Army. However, the unexpected happened and instead the Japanese launched an aerial attack.

The British and Commonwealth troops had no choice but to evacuate the fortress. Thus, it came under the Imperial Japanese Army and was then used as an army base and prison. The Japanese used to interrogate, torture and behead the prisoners here which led to many ghostly stories being linked to it. When the war ended in 1945, the fort fell into disuse.

How to Reach Penang War Museum

Rapid Penang Bus No.302 stops near the Penang War Museum at Jalan Batu Maung. It's around 800 meters from the museum. The bus departs from the jetty along the Chulia Street.

Other bus numbers include 305 and 307.

Tips

• Since it is a jungle area, use a mosquito repellant.
• Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes because it can get really hot during the walk up the hill.