Penang, known as “Pearl of the Orient” to many people, is one of the famous islands in South-East Asia. It is renowned for its culture, food and heritage.
However, this is not all that she has to offer. Minutes away from the busy city center lies another attraction of Penang, her natural beauty. This turtle shaped island offers miles of idyllic beaches with swaying palm trees, and soothing hill for those who seek refuge from the tropical heat.
The capital of Penang, George Town was named after King George III of England. George Town was awarded city status by the royal charter on January 1st 1957. Located in the heart of the city is one of South East Asia’s largest collections of Pre-war buildings. In order to preserve the heritage of Penang, modern structures are built surrounding these pre-war buildings. Some of these structures are built more than 100 years ago. Lots of effort and money has been invested by the state government and private investors to preserve the beauty of these structures. As a reward for the effort, Penang was formally inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7th July 2008.
Getting There:
By Air
The Penang International Airport located in the south receives direct flights from major capitals in the region. Malaysian Airlines (MAS) operates more than 20 flights daily to and fro from Kuala Lumpur.
Air Asia, a budget airline, has the lowest rates for flights from Kuala Lumpur. Check their website at www.airasia.com for more details.
From the airport, you can either take taxis or buses to reach any point on the island. Planes arrive at Penang’s International airport (airport code: PEN) at the southern end of the island. It’s about half an hour by taxi to reach Georgetown. The fare is fixed at RM 30 (8.49 USD) for taxis from the airport to the city, or you can book a transfer in advance through the links below.
By Car
The North-South Highway connects Penang to major cities on the West side of Peninsular Malaysia. Travel by highway can take anywhere from 4-5 hours with toll charges in between. Once you reach Butterworth, which is the entry point to the island, you may either take the Penang Bridge or a ferry to cross from the mainland. The bridge charge is set at RM7.00 to get in but is free when you exit the island. Although not very popular, ferries still operate from Butterworth to Weld Kuay on the island and will transport your vehicle as well. Returning trips from Penang across the bridge to the mainland is free.
By Train
You can ride a train from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth through the Government-owned Malaysian Railways (KTMB). From Butterworth, it is a matter of riding a taxi across the bridge to the island. The duration of the journey from Kuala Lumpur is approximately 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take the train from Alor Setar in Kedah and even from Bangkok in Thailand. For schedules and listings, log on to www.ktmb.com.my
By Ferry
In addition to the mainland just minutes away, you can also get to Penang by ferry from Langkawi (about two hours) and Medan in Indonesia (up to six hours). Both of these services dock at the pier next to Fort Cornwallis.
Activities and interesting place to go:
Georgetown Attractions
While modern and commercial, Georgetown still offers visitors a glimpse into the past through its many preserved historical buildings, some situated in the middle of the city’s tall structures and modern shopping areas.As most of these heritage buildings are concentrated in Georgetown , one can walk a trail through the city in order to discover them.Also, don’t forget to check out the Upper Penang Road for some exciting nightlife.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Winner of the UNESCO Conservation Award 2000 National Architecture Award for Conservation 1995.” This architectural masterpiece is a statement of the eclecticism of the times and of Straits Settlements design and detailing. Carefully restored after a century of neglect, “La Maison Blue” has been the location for several films including “Indochine” with Catherine Deneuve.This is an oriental and magical building centred on oriental culture, a reflection of Chinese life in the 19 th Century of little Penang .The mansion has 38 huge rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows of Chinese architecture to explore under a guided tour.
Upper Road Penang
This northern portion of this historical road is now a brand new entertainment circle, akin to Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur. Upmarket restaurants, karaoke joints, bars, discotheques, pubs, and vogue boutique shops have sprouted over the precinct, offering visitors a wild night out in Penang. Most are housed in heritage buildings restored to provide a funky edge to Penang’s entertainment scene.This is the latest hot spot in Georgetown City for nightlife excitement.Most of the clubs, pubs and discos are concentrated in this spot with a variety of music from the eighties’ to techno and pop to soulful R & B.Besides clubbing, another popular activity here is karaoke, where you gather in lounges with friends to sing the night away.
Fort Conwallis
Located in Light Street , the Cornwallis Fort was built by Francis Light, the founder of Penang , when he landed in 1786. Used to defend Penang from outside intruders, the fort was built in the shape of a star, but the only actual buildings still standing today are the outer walls, an ammunitions storage area, remains of a barracks and a harbour light. There are displays of old photos with historical accounts for visitors to see in the fort as well.
Peranakan Mansion
Located on Church Street (Lebuh Gereja), the Penang Peranakan Mansion was established by Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, one of the leaders of Penang and the Hai San triad that took part in the clash between Chinese gangs during the tin boom in Larut from 1860 – 1884.The mansion is a homage to Straits Chinese culture, referred to as ‘Peranakan’, with a rich architectural blend of Eastern and French elements. Today, the mansion exhibits antiques and collectibles pertaining to the Peranakan culture in Penang.
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Located in Canon Street , the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is a heritage temple belonging to the Khoo clan that came in 1850 from China.The temple is adorned with intricate ornamental carvings on the roofs, walls and supporting structures.The fine art and architecture was achieved with the use of fine quality wood and boasts Chinese craftsmanship.
Kapitan Keling Mosque
Located in Pitt Street , the Kapitan Keling Mosque was built and named after an Indian Muslim merchant named Caudeer Mohudeen, who was also a headman.The temple boasts an elaborate dome minaret with Moorish architecture. This mosque is popular for prayers, everyday of the week. Visitors will need to remove their shoes when entering the mosque.
Kuan Yin Temple
The Kuan Yin Teng or Temple of the Goddess of Mercy in Pitt Street was built in 1801 by Chinese migrants. It is an ornate structure with meticulously-crafted dragons and lions which act as the temple’s guardians.This is probably the most popular Chinese temple in Penang , attracting hordes of devotees during festivals each year.
St. George’s Church
The St. George’s Church in Farquhar Street is the oldest Anglican Church in Southeast Asia and designed by a Captain Rober Smith.It was built in 1818 with the use of prison labour. A memorial in the shape of a Greek temple sits on its grounds to remember Francis Light.
Penang State Museum
The Penang State Museum on Farquhar Street houses a collection dedicated to the paintings done by the military man Captain Robert Smith and a painter named William Daniell. However, visitors can also see other things on display that reflect the Colonial heritage of Penang , including an old Penang Hill railway carriage, a hand-written Quran and ancient Malay weapons.
The Queen Victoria Clock Tower
The Queen Victoria Clock Tower was built in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.A local millionaire, Cheah Chen Eok, funded the construction of the tower which measures 60 feet in height. Unfortunately, the Queen had already passed away by the time of its completion in 1920.
Batu Ferringgi Attractions
The beach is what Batu Feringgi is famous for. On a relative scale, the beach may not be as gorgeous as those found on some islands off Peninsular Malayisa, but you get a wide mix of conveniences and facilities that make staying in Batu Feringgi a highly-accessible and easy vacation. Also, the scenic backdrops of large granite boulders, fine sand, lush vegetation and calm waters make this the perfect place to enjoy the sea and surf.
Because Batu Feringgi is a very popular spot, it does get crowded, especially during the peak visitor seasons. The water can get slightly murky but it will still be overall warm and inviting to swim in, but just don’t expect crystal-clear sights to the depths of the sea bed. The beach, however, is coated with lots of fine sand, making it a nice place to walk on and sun-bathe. It’s also reasonably clean.
What gives Batu Feringgi its oomph is the atmosphere; scores of restaurants, watering holes, resorts and recreational places give the beach a party-like feel. There are a few seafood and international restaurants that serve delicious food, while you mix and mingle around with locals and international visitors alike.
A lot of water sports such as jet-skiing, banana boating and parasailing goes on, and visitors can engage in such activities through the many vendors situated on the beach with their shaded stalls. However, visitors who just want to swim peacefully can be assured that floating buoys are placed strategically around swimming areas to cordon off all the water sport activity.
Along the road fronting the beach, there are large numbers of shops that provide modern conveniences such as groceries, mobile phones and souvenirs. Annually in June, there is a large fiesta on the beach which features food promotions, beach activities, cultural parades, parties and inter-hotel competitions.
Gurney Drive Attractions
While Gurney’s primary attraction is its hawker food, there are a few places nearby you can visit which are all within several minutes’ drive from Gurney. In addition, there is a shopping mall in the vicinity called Gurney Plaza, which is one of the most popular shopping malls on Penang Island.
Gurney Plaza
Gurney Drive has one of Penang Island’s most popular shopping malls in the form of Gurney Plaza , established since 2001. This mall was the one that popularised shopping complexes; as a place to chill, shop and eat. Consisting of seven levels, Gurney Plaza has a wide array of over 300 shops dedicated to shopping, dining and entertainment. In terms of shopping outlets, visitors can peruse the range of shops that encompass fashion, arts, décor, toys, books, electronics, communication and IT gadgets. For dining, there are over 40 food and beverage outlets that include cafes, fast food, local food courts and international restaurants. Carnival sales, product launches and fashion shows are some of the exciting events that take place in this mall regularly.
Botanical Garden
Just 10-minutes away from Gurney Drive is the Botanical Gardens, spread over 30-hectares of lush green hills and tropical rainforest. This place is also known as ‘Monkey Park’ as there are hordes of cheeky primates eager to snatch food from your hand – So don’t feed the monkeys! The garden houses a large collection of trees and flowers in nurseries as well as scenic waterfalls and ponds coated with lilies. Established since 1884, the Botanical Gardens have never stopped being a popular spot for the locals to refresh themselves and exercise. Some of the activities that go on daily here include school trips, picnics, jogging and line dancing. Over here, you can also admire the many species of flora that grow on the parks grounds or in nurseries, learning about them during your visit.
Wat Chaiyamangkalaram Temple
The Wat Chaiyamangkalaram Temple is just a short walk away from Gurney and is one of the most ornate temples in Penang . The architecture boasts vibrant colours, fancy designs and numerous statues. The most famous feature of the temple is the reclining Buddha statue, which measures some 33-meters in length. Underneath this reclining statue is where some people store the ashes of their deceased loved ones.
Much of the structures and statues are painted or gilded in gold. Chinese dragons litter the temple carvings and walls, especially towards the meditation hall. Another prominent feature is the 50-meter high pagoda, said to be the highest of its kind in Malaysia.The local Thais in Penang often flock to this temple during Buddhist festivals, alongside locals and visitors.
Bayan Lepas Attractions
Bayan Lepas has some nice tourist landmarks to visit, especially in the Batu Maung and Bukit Jambul area. In Bayan Lepas itself, there is the famous snake temple, where many pit-vipers are huddled on altars while an exhibition of snakes takes place in the courtyard daily. On the other hand, the Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden houses a large variety of flowers along with some animals on display.
Snake Temple
Established since 1805, the Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas is also known as the ‘Temple of the Azure Cloud’. It was built in memory of a Chinese monk named Chor Soo Kong and is famous for its many Wagler’s pit-vipers that adorn the temple altars. The pit-vipers are caught from the wild, de-fanged and then painted on the forehead before being left to lie lazily on the altars, as the thick incense smoke causes them to be drowsy.For a fee, you can get your picture taken while posing with these pit-vipers, in your hands or on your head! Outside the temple is a courtyard where a permanent reptile exhibition goes on. For an entrance fee, you can enter and look at the various species of snakes, both local and international, being housed in glass terrariums. A snake show featuring charmers playing with king cobras takes place in the afternoon daily.
War Museum
The War Museum situated on a hill in Batu Maung was once a mighty fortress that fell under a surprise attack from Japanese soldiers during World War Two. It was run by British and other conscripted soldiers before being abandoned during the attack. Today, it is one of the largest war museums in the region.The fortress grounds cover an area of 20-acres, and come complete with underground tunnels and ventilation shafts, ammunition bunkers, bays for firing canons, sleeping quarters and even a medical infirmary. Visitors can explore these tunnels and view the various wartime items on display from 9 am to 7 pm daily.
Bukit Jambul Orchid & Hibiscus Garden
The Bukit Jambul Orchid & Hibiscus Garden is just 5-minutes away from the Penang International Airport and is very popular with local and international visitors. It is shaped like a park with a large variety of flowers, plants and other ornamental flora on display. There is even a reptile house where you can get up, close and personal with slithery creatures. Visitors will appreciate the colourful blooms of flowers that are mostly orchids and hibiscus. The park also has some fascinating mammals such as Bengal tigers, deer, peacocks and even giant tortoises that are the size of huge boulders! Another great feature of the park is that you can purchase some of the plants on display as well as visit the souvenir shop.
Nature Discovery
Penang is a highly-developed city-island. However, some vestige of precious rainforest is still preserved for locals and visitors to remind themselves of the importance of nature in a developing world. Visitors can engage in a variety of nature-based activities, such as a train ride up Penang Hill, trekking in the Teluk Bahang Recreational Forest or cuddling snakes in the Snake Temple.
Bird Park
The first bird park in Malaysia holds more than 300 species of birds around the world. Admire the 3,000 birds that fly free in two large, walk-through aviaries.Some tame birds will actually perch on your shoulder for a photo or two.The species you’ll see include the big 8-foot tall ostriches and noisy, scarlet macaws. The Penang Bird Park is sure to fascinate families!
Butterfly Farm
The Penang Butterfly Farm was the first Malaysian tropical butterfly farm built in the year 1986. Located in Teluk Bahang, expect to see a wide variety of butterflies and insects such as the leaf mantis and stick insect. At any one point, there are usually about 4,000 butterflies fluttering in the giant, walk-through aviary. Some rare and famous species found here include the endangered Yellow Birdwing, Indian Leaf and majestic Rajah Brooke butterflies.
Botanical Garden
Just 10-minutes away from Gurney Drive is the Botanical Gardens, spread over 30-hectares of lush green hills and tropical rainforest. This place is also known as ‘Monkey Park’ as there are hordes of cheeky primates eager to snatch food from your hand – So don’t feed the monkeys! The garden houses a large collection of trees and flowers in nurseries as well as scenic waterfalls and ponds coated with lilies. Established since 1884, the Botanical Gardens have never stopped being a popular spot for the locals to refresh themselves and exercise. Some of the activities that go on daily here include school trips, picnics, jogging and line dancing. Over here, you can also admire the many species of flora that grow on the parks grounds or in nurseries, learning about them during your visit.
Snake Temple
The Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas is just what its name implies – a temple full of snakes. Housing hundreds of Wagler’s pit-vipers huddled on altars, visitors can get to touch or take a photograph with them.Most of the snakes have had their fangs removed so there’s no risk of a poisonous bite. The Wagler’s pit-vipers are a placid type of snake that has attractive green-spotted markings with a yellowish belly – perfect for a ‘dangerous-looking’ photo.
Penang Hills
Penang Hill, at 830 meters above sea-level, houses Malaysia’s first hill station. Visitors can ascend to the top by walking or riding a funicular train. Here, enjoy the cool atmosphere and breeze from the surrounding seas.There is also a beautiful flower garden to stroll in and a mini bird park to explore. For those who wish to spend more than a day on this pleasant hill, accommodation is available through some bungalows or a hostel for the budget-conscious traveller.
Penang National Park
Located in the north-western corner of Penang, a mere half-an-hour’s drive from Georgetown, lies the island’s own national park.It was originally known as the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserveefore being gazetted as a Penang National Park in 2003. It also encompasses part of the Teluk Bahang Recreational Forest area.Here, you can weave through challenging trails and view 25 species of mammals, 53 species of butterflies, 46 species of birds and a considerable variety of coastral life.
Sungai Tukun Recreational Forest
Cover 23-hectares of rainforest, Sungai Tukun is a small but charming place to enjoy the treasures of nature.For bird-watchers, the Sungai Tukun area attracts white-bellied eagles, eaglets and kingfishers while those who want a panoramic view of Teluk Bahang and Batu Feringgi can climb up to the observation tower.Camping grounds and dormitories are available for those who wish to spend a night out in the forest.
Bukit Panchor Forest Park
A small, 8-hectare lowland forest located at Nibong Tebal near Seberang Perai, Bukit Panchor Forest Park has a flowing river and lush greenery to provide a sight for sore-eyes. There’s plenty of flora and fauna to see including a bat cave for those daring night-walks. A board that extends over a freshwater swamp is also available to see unique mangrove life-forms.
Tropical Fruit Farm
Located on a hill in Teluk Bahang, the Tropical Fruit Farm is the perfect location to grow both tropical and sub-tropical fruits. Visitors can come here to enjoy the taste of many types of fruits, with a buffet spread on weekends. The orchard has also acquired many rare and exotic orchids, totalling over 200 species, for visitors to admire.
Teluk Bahang Recreational Park
The 32-hectare recreational forest of Teluk Bahang is a good start for those who haven’t been in a jungle environment before. Equipped with park benches, picnic areas, waterfalls and a playground.The Teluk Bahang Recreational Park is a great getaway for families who need to fill in their time for the weekend. There’s even a Forestry Museum where visitors can learn more about Malaysia’s wooden heritage.
Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
Located on the mainland side of Penang, the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest offers a bigger jungle to explore. Popular options include swimming in the waterfalls, camping or picnicking.On weekends and public holidays, the recreational forest attracts locals who come from the neighbouring states of Kedah and Perak .There are also chalets and rest huts for those wishing to spend a night under the stars of a cool rainforest.
Chalet/Resort/Hotel Information:
1.Shangri-La Hotel, Penang
- www.shangri-la.com – 04-2622622
2.Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang
- www.bayviewhotels.com – 04-2633161
3.Eastern & Oriental Hotel
- www.e-o-hotel.com – 04-2222000
4.Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya
- www.sunwayhotels.com – 04-3707788
5.Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Hotel
- www.cheongfatttzemansion.com – 04-2616301
6. Hotel
- www.ghotel.com.my – 04-2380000
7.Evergreen Laurel Hotel
- www.evergreenhotel.net – 04-2269988
8.Hotel Mingood
- www.hotelmingood.com – 04-2299922
9.Royal Penang Hotel
- www.hotelroyalpenang.com – 04-2267888
10.Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang
- www.bayviewhotels.com – 04-8812123
Tags: Accommodation., batu feringgi, bayan lepas, gurney, Hotel Reservations, hotels, Penang, Penang Hotel, Pulau Pinang, Resorts, seberang prai, tanjung bungah
U forgot to mention Tune Hotels.com at Jalan Burmah. Best value for money hotel in Penang!
http://www.tunehotels.com