The George Town Unesco Heritage celebrations have been featured in an international magazine as one of the top nine events to visit from July to September.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Bangkok-based BK Magazine , one of the top well-known reads in Asia, in its July 4 edition had placed the George Town heritage celebrations on the same level as the Singapore Grand Prix.

“This is something positive for Penang. Penangites should be proud of themselves as they have many talents, histories and cultures,” Lim said after launching the ‘Living Legacies’, George Town’s Sixth Heritage Celebrations at the Town Hall today.

George Town was awarded the Unesco Heritage Site award in July 2008, and the 7th of that months is annually marked as a public holiday.

“We’re on the same list (with the Singapore Grand Prix) even though we spent three times less than them,” he added.

“Malaysia may not have any university ranked in the top 10 in Asia, but at least our Heritage celebration is one of the top nine places to visit in Asia,” he said.

As part of the celebrations, several heritage venues opened their doors to the public today.

Lim led a visit to these open spaces by cycling to four destinations this morning - the 228-year-old Church of the Assumption on Farquhar Street, 130-year-old Loo Pun Hong Temple on Love Lane, the century-old Arulmiguu Sri Mahamariaman Temple in Little India, and Kapitan Keling Mosque which was built in the 1800s.

Before entering the mosque, Lim visited the ‘Send a Hari Raya Card’ interactive corner, where he picked one and addressed it to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with the greeting ‘Salam Bersih’.

Accompanying him on the bicycles were Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon, state executive councillors Chow Kon Yeow and Dr Afif Bahardin, whose wife was also present, Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik and assemblypersons Teh Lai Heng and Lim Siew Khim.

To celebrate George Town’s living legacies this year, locals and tourists are seen visiting the island’s various attractions, including heritage food stalls, craft centres and traditional games shops, as well as temples and art galleries.