Upside Down Museum Tours

One of many popular optical-illusion museums in Southeast Asia, Penang’s Upside Down Museum is set up like an ordinary home but with the furniture and accessories stuck to the ceiling. It’s a favorite among locals and travelers, adults and children alike, who come to take disorienting selfies to post on social media.

The Basics
At the Upside Down Museum, you can take photos that make it look as though you’re walking upside down or floating in odd positions. Visitors walk through the “house,” guided by staff for a more orderly procession. Most travelers visit the museum while touring the historic George Town area of Penang. You can visit independently or stop here as part of a half- or full-day guided tour of the city.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Ask the staff for tips, as they know where and how to pose for the best pictures.
• Women should wear pants instead of skirts to preserve the illusion.
• Kids under five get free admission to the Upside Down Museum.
• Make sure your camera or phone is fully charged before you arrive.

How to Get There
The Upside Down Museum is on Kimberley Street, in the George Town area of Penang. A free shuttle bus, called the CAT bus, circles George Town and stops near the museum. The district is easily navigable by foot, but most of the streets are not pedestrianized, so the shuttle bus is a good alternative to dodging traffic.

When to Get There
The Upside Down Museum is open every day, with extended hours on weekends. It’s a popular attraction that gets quite busy on weekends, meaning a longer wait to take photos. Visit midweek, if possible, to avoid the crowds.

Tour Penang’s Street Art
Penang is famous for its street art, much of which is dotted around the George Town area. A lot of the art is interactive, inviting you to pose alongside it for fun photos. New pieces pop up all the time, and older works fade, so part of the fun is not knowing exactly what you’ll see during any given visit. Join an organized street-art walking tour to see the latest works, or pick up a street-art map from tourist office for a self-guided tour.