The TOP Penang
George Town
Daily 10am-10pm
RM 68 adult combo, RM 48 child
1–2 hours
Sunset and the 30 minutes after dark are the most spectacular
Self-guided, English, Bahasa Malaysia
What is The TOP Penang?
The TOP Penang occupies the uppermost floors (levels 65–68) of KOMTAR, Penang's 232-metre cylindrical tower and tallest building, delivering 360-degree views across the island, the 13.5km Penang Bridge, and the Andaman Sea. The centrepiece is the Rainbow Skywalk — a glass-floored exterior walkway at level 68 where visitors step out over nothing but air and the street below. Best visited at sunset or after dark for city light displays.
Standing on the Rainbow Skywalk at level 68, 232 metres above George Town, the city below looks like a model of itself. The heritage zone is a tight grid of shophouse rooftops and temple courtyards. The Penang Bridge stretches east across the strait toward Butterworth, its 13.5km span shrinking into a thin line on the horizon. On clear mornings — best before any heat haze builds — you can pick out the Langkawi archipelago to the north. It is not a subtle experience.
KOMTAR was always intended to be seen as much as stood in. Chief Minister Lim Chong Eu commissioned the round tower in the 1970s as a statement that Penang was a modern city, and 232 metres of cylindrical concrete does make a statement. The observation deck at the top opened in 2016, some 30 years after the building was completed. The Jurassic Research Center on level 65 adds dinosaur-themed attractions aimed at families with young children, while the indoor theme park zone fills out the experience for visitors who want more than a view. Most visitors, though, come for two things: the view and the glass floor. Both deliver.
History
Read the full history of The TOP Penang
KOMTAR — Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak — was the defining infrastructure project of Chief Minister Lim Chong Eu's tenure, conceived as proof that Penang could compete with Kuala Lumpur for urban modernity. The building was designed by architect Lim Chong Keat and took thirteen years to complete, breaking ground in 1973 and reaching full height in 1986. At 232 metres with 65 storeys, it was Malaysia's tallest building for several years.
The tower is named after Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia's second Prime Minister, who championed the New Economic Policy and died in office in January 1976 — a decade before the building he gave his name to was finished. The cylindrical form reflected both structural efficiency (a central service core with free-plan floors) and a desire for visual distinctiveness: the round tower would read as a landmark from anywhere on the island.
For the first decade after completion the tower was commercially successful. By the 2000s it had fallen behind newer developments. The 2016 opening of The TOP on levels 65–68 — simultaneously with Tech Dome on levels 3–5 — was a deliberate anchor-and-crown revitalisation strategy. The Rainbow Skywalk and observation deck gave KOMTAR a new reason to exist as a destination, drawing both tourists and locals back to a building that had become invisible through familiarity.
Photography Guide
- Best time
- Sunset and the 30 minutes after dark are the most spectacular. The transition from golden light to full city illumination happens fast — budget 45 minutes at the top around sunset to catch both. For pure clarity and maximum distance visibility (Langkawi on exceptional days), early morning (first entry at 10am) gives the cleanest air. Midday is the worst: heat haze reduces visibility significantly and harsh overhead light creates flat images.
- Best position
- The Penang Bridge shot works best from the east-facing glass panels — position yourself so the bridge reads as a diagonal across the frame. For the heritage district below, the west-facing panels give the tightest grid of shophouse rooftops. The Rainbow Skywalk glass floor shot: get a companion to stand on the glass and shoot from beside them — the downward perspective through their feet to the street gives the strongest sense of vertigo.
- What's allowed
- Photography throughout. The glass floor of the Rainbow Skywalk is the primary photo opportunity — no restrictions. Drone flights are not permitted from or near the observation deck.
Tips
- Bring a lens cloth — the interior glass panels pick up fingerprints and smudges quickly; clean before shooting
- For the Penang Bridge at night, brace against the railing for exposures of 1/15s or longer — hand movement at this height is visible
- Shoot the city grid looking straight down (not angled) for the strongest sense of height
- Sunset changes fast at this latitude — do not walk away from the windows during the transition period
Plan Your Visit
Before your visit
Same building, levels 3–5. Do Tech Dome in the morning then take the elevator straight up to The TOP. The combination ticket covers both — buy it when you enter Tech Dome.
After your visit
15-minute walk from KOMTAR along the Esplanade toward the waterfront. After a morning in KOMTAR, the fort gives you the ground-level historic contrast — from the top of the city's newest tall building to its oldest surviving colonial fortification.
Travel times are approximate.
Map & Directions
Insider Tips
- •Go at sunset to see the city transition from daylight to night illumination
- •The Rainbow Skywalk glass floor is not for the faint of heart - thrilling views straight down
- •Book combination tickets with Tech Dome for a full day of indoor entertainment
- •Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends and school holidays
- •Bring a camera or phone with good battery - the panoramic views are exceptional
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rainbow Skywalk at The TOP Penang?
The Rainbow Skywalk is a glass-floored exterior walkway at level 68, positioned on the outside of the KOMTAR tower at 232 metres. Visitors walk on glass panels that allow clear views straight down to the street below. It is not for anyone with a serious fear of heights, but most visitors find it exhilarating rather than distressing.
What is the best time of day to visit The TOP?
Sunset and the 30 minutes after dark. The city transitions from golden light to full illumination over about 45 minutes — the Penang Bridge lights are particularly striking. For maximum visibility distance (including possible Langkawi views), early morning gives the clearest air, but the venue opens at 10am.
Can I see the Penang Bridge from The TOP?
Yes, clearly on most days. The Penang Bridge spans 13.5km east across the Penang Strait toward Butterworth on the mainland. From the observation deck, it reads as a long thin line disappearing into the horizon. The bridge lights up at night and is a primary photography subject from the east-facing windows.
Is the combination ticket with Tech Dome worth it?
Yes, if you plan to visit both — and both are in the same building, so the logistics are simple. The combination ticket is discounted versus buying separately. Do Tech Dome (levels 3–5) in the morning, then take the elevator to The TOP (levels 65–68) for the afternoon and sunset.
How long should I budget for The TOP Penang?
One to two hours is typical. If you come at sunset and stay through the transition to night, budget 90 minutes minimum. The Jurassic Research Center adds 30–45 minutes for visitors with young children. The Rainbow Skywalk itself takes about 15–20 minutes.
