Named after a plant species, Gelugor lies along the eastern seaboard of Penang Island, between Jelutong and Sungai Dua, and nearly 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the city centre.

Gelugor gradually turned into a suburb, helped by its strategic location right in between the city centre and Bayan Lepas to the south.

Soon after Light came ashore in what is now the city centre in 1786, his Scottish partner, David Brown, cleared the jungles around Gelugor to make way for agricultural purposes, including spice and coconut plantations.

It was again put in use during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation, before being closed for good in 1971 following the withdrawal of all British armed forces from Southeast Asia.

[5] In recent years, much of the pan-island and incoming traffic from the Penang Bridge have been diverted to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway that runs along the suburb's periphery.

Construction of the 6 km (3.7 mi) long Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass, part of the Penang Transport Master Plan, is ongoing and expected to be completed by 2025.

[17] This 12.5 km (7.8 miles)-long cycling lane extends from the city centre towards Queensbay Mall, south of the Penang Bridge.