Millennium Monument, George Town

Millennium Monument, George Town, Penang (26 October 2021)


Millennium Monument (GPS: 5.42174, 100.34244) is a memorial at the Esplanade in George Town, Penang, erected as part of the local millennium celebrations in 2000. The construction of the Millennium Monument was criticised as well as laughed at by locals and heritage conservationists alike, but despite popular disapproval, the project and its design went ahead.

The square around the monument was raised and small rocks were positioned to prevent traffic from spilling off the road, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah and damaging the monument. Forming a semi-circle around the monument is a wall with pictures and descriptions of prominent landmarks in Penang embedded onto it.

I have not been particularly enthusiastic about the Millennium Monument, but for the sake of this feature article, I try to take as nice a photograph of it as possible. The monument enjoys a prominent position on the Esplanade. From here, you can view the sea and the ships passing through the North Channel.

Getting there

From the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal, take Rapid Penang bus 10 or 103 to Lebuh Farquhar, in front of St Xavier's Institution. Use the pedestrian bridge to cross Lebuh Farquhar, then walk to Convent Light Street. At Convent Light Street, ask for direction to Millennium Monument.

The Millennium Monument is on the Map of Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Penang

Narrated Walking Tour of Fort Cornwallis and The Esplanade

Millennium Monument (30 November 2008)

Millennium Monument on Google Street View

(Jan 2021)

List of Monuments in Penang and Monuments in Malaysia