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. (more…)