Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse

Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse (26 October 2021)


Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Malaysia. It is second only to the lighthouse in Tanjung Tuan, Malacca. It was erected by the British in 1882. At that time, it was known as the Fort Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse underwent renovations in 1914 and 1928. As part of the renovation, the name was also changed to Penang Harbour Lighthouse.

Today, considering it stands within Fort Cornwallis, the lighthouse is called the Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse. Unlike other lighthouses in Malaysia, for example the one in Muka Head, the Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse is made of a 21-meter white steel framework. Visual distance of the lighthouse is 16 nautical miles.

Getting there

You can walk from the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal. Walk north along Weld Quay and follows it as it curves to King Edward Place. At the Light Street Roundabout, take Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, and you will see the staircase leading up to the lighthouse on the right, within Fort Cornwallis itself.

Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse is on the Map of Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Penang

Narrated Walking Tour of Fort Cornwallis and The Esplanade

Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse, as seen from the grounds of Fort Cornwallis (30 January 2005)


Tim climbing up the Forn Cornwallis Lighthouse (5 April 2009)


Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse (1 May 2015)


Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse (1 May 2015)


Close-up view of Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse (30 January 2005)


Stairs up to the Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse (9 June 2012)


View of the Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse from Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah (4 June 2005)


Tim with the beacon of Forn Cornwallis Lighthouse (5 April 2009)

Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse on Google Street View

(Jan 2021)

List of Lighthouses in Penang and Lighthouses in Malaysia