Penang- More than just White Sands

Penang, an island state situated in north-west Malaysia is an immensely popular vacation destination in Malaysian. Penang’s history can be traced to the 15^th century when it began life as a remote backwater, inhabited by a small community of Malays and Southern Indian merchants. Penang’s emerged on the global scene, when it was discovered by Francis Light, an agent for the British East India Company in 1786. Light arrived on the northeast part of Penang and soon went about establishing the settlement of Georgetown, which he named after King George III.
Georgetown was Britain’s most prominent outpost in Malaya and it attracted hordes of European, Arab, Indian, Chinese and Malay traders who settled down here. This multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character of Penang continues to endure until today.

Prominent attractions in Penang include:-

Penang Hill

The  summit of Bukit Bendera(Penang Hill) can be accessed via a path that lies within the Penang Botanic Gardens but this walk can take up to two to three hours. An easier way to get to this summit is to ride the air-conditioned funicular, which transports visitors to the top of the hill in just five minutes. Once at the top, visitors can savor the awe-inspiring views of the city of Georgetown, surrounded by lofty hills and sparkling seas. Cafes and stores located at the summit offer visitors a chance to take a breather and relax as they relish the views.

The Penang Botanic Gardens

The Penang Botanical Gardens extend over thirty verdant acres.  Popularly referred to as ‘the Waterfall Gardens’, after the stream that tumbles down from Penang Hill, the gardens are a favorite haunt of the city’s morning walkers and joggers. The botanical gardens host various attractions like an orchid house, a palm house, a cactus garden, a bromeliad house and several native trees, plants and shrubs. The gardens are also home to a large population of long-tailed macaque monkeys, birds and insects. Visitors are cautioned not to feed the monkeys as they to get aggravated and bite. A path from within the garden leads to the top of Penang Hill.

Batu Ferringhi Night Market

Penang’s famous white-sand Batu Ferringhi beach hosts a wide variety of resorts and offers a multitude of water sporting activities. However, this gorgeous beachfront also hosts lively night market populated by numerous vendors who offer products like t-shirts, DVDs, accessories, toys, souvenirs and a various other knick-knacks favored by tourists. The night market at Batu Ferringhi is a cacophony of sights, sounds and tastes in the fashion of most south-east Asian markets and is great fun to visit.

Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si Temple also known as the ‘Temple of Supreme Bliss’ is the largest Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia. The temple dates back to 1893 when it was constructed on the terraces of Penang Hill.  Star attractions at the temple include the seven-storey tall Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas and the 90ft (30 m) tall statue of Kuan Yin (the Chinese Goddess of Mercy) which was added to the complex in 2003. 

 

 

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (the Blue Mansion)

Cheong Fatt Tze was Chinese tycoon who built a huge empire in Southeast Asia in the late 19^th Century.  He arrived in Penang in 1890, and went on to build, the magnificent ‘Blue Mansion’ to accommodate his large family which included eight wives.

This well preserved mansion which is built according to traditional Feng Shui principles and is a fine example of Chinese architecture (the Hakka-Teochew style) is equipped with 38 rooms built around five airy courtyards. Decorative trimmings of the mansion include much stained glass, carved moldings and doors and seven elaborate staircases.

The Khoo Kongsi Clan House

Amongst the many heritage buildings of Georgetown, is a magnificent structure, the Khoo Kongsi clan house. This impressive edifice which was built in 1920 after the original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1906, displays distinct Indo-Malay influences. The walls, pillars and roof of the imposing structure are adorned with intricate carvings created by master craftsmen from China. The temple serves as a locale for many Chinese opera performances during the seventh lunar month.

Penang’s Little India

Penang’s historic Little India district is located along Georgetown’s streets like Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Pasar (Market Street). Indian immigrants arrived in Penang during the early 19^th century. They were made up of agricultural laborers, spice traders and money lenders. These immigrants hailed from various Indian communities like, Gujaratis, Punjabis, Malyalees and Tamils.  Penang’s Little India is an exotic, colorful enclave populated by Indian restaurants and  sari and jewelry stores.
The area also  has its midst Penang’s oldest Hindu temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple, built in 1833, by a group of Southern Indians called Chettiars.  Penang’s Chinatown is located close by and is also worth a visit.

Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive known as ‘Persiaran Gurney’ is Penang’s most famous food street.  Located on the city’s waterfront, Gurney Drive is named after Sir Henry Gurney, a Malayan High Commissioner, who was assassinated during the period of Emergency in Malaysia in the early 1950s.

Gurney Drive hosts several restaurants and hawker stalls which serve delicious, native Penang eats like Penang Laksa, Fried Oyster, Wantan Mee, Penang Rojak, ABC( Ais Kacang) which must be sampled on any visit to Penang.

The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery

The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery situated in Georgetown. The museum is hosts several galleries which catalogue the rich history and diverse culture of Penang. The extensive permanent collection at the museum features photographs, paintings, costumes, antiques, maps, historical documents, Chinese furniture, embroidery samples and more. The Penang Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the museum and today hosts the works of local artists which appear alongside older works created by William Daniels and Captain Robert Smith.

The above listed attractions are but a few of the many attractions that this vibrant and vivacious Malaysian destination has to offer and invites you to discover.

 

36 hours in Penang

Penang, popularly referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ is one of Malaysia’s most popular vacation destinations. World-famous for its numerous street-food delights, pristine beach fronts and various cultural attractions, Penang caters to all ages and tastes. If you are planning to visit Penang sometime soon, our thirty-six hour guide should help you plan your visit to this enchanting city.

Friday

9 am

Start the day Penang-style

Start your day as the residents of Penang do with a hearty breakfast and in Penang, you are really spoiled for choice for several eateries in this foodie destination open as early as 5am to serve breakfast to hungry hordes. Indulge in local breakfast specials like dim sum, kaya toast, Koay Teow Th’ng, Yong Tau Fu, Hokkien Mee or Loh Mee or even in a traditional Indian feast of thosai and idli before your day gets underway.

10 am

Visit the Penang Botanical Gardens

The Penang Botanical Gardens span thirty verdant acres. Also known as the Waterfall Gardens after the stream that tumbles down from Penang Hill, the gardens are a favorite haunt of the city’s morning walkers and joggers. The botanical gardens encompass various attractions like an orchid house, a palm house, a cactus garden, a bromeliad house and many tropical trees, plants and shrubs. Several long-tailed macaque monkeys are resident in the garden and should not be fed as they are known to bite. A path from within the garden leads to the top of Penang Hill.

12 pm

Take in the views from atop Penang Hill

You can attempt to walk up to the summit of Bukit Bendera(Penang Hill) from the Penang Botanic Gardens but this walk can take between two to three hours. An easier way to access this summit is to ride the air-conditioned funicular, which transports you to the summit in five minutes. Once you are at the summit, you are awarded with jaw-dropping views of the city of Georgetown, surrounded by lofty hills and sparkling seas. Once you have savored the views, you could perhaps stop for a cup of tea or a refreshing drink at one of the many cafes located atop Penang hill.

1pm

Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple of Supreme Bliss

As you make your way down from the summit of Penang Hill, you should stop at the Kek Lok Si Temple of Supreme Bliss. This temple complex is the largest Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia and displays Chinese, Thai and even Burmese influences in its design. Built in 1893, the temple is a must-visit site in Penang, for it features various interesting attractions like gardens, water bodies, multi-hued frescoes along with  a seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas and a 30 meter(90 feet) high statue of Kuan Yin(the Goddess of Mercy).

2.30 pm

Stop for lunch at the New World Park Food Court

The New World Park food court is regarded as one of Georgetown’s best food courts. New World Park is actually failed amusement park, which was converted into a food court and it now features various kiosks offering a whole host of Penang specialties, like Mee Rebus, Nasi Kandar, Lok Lok, Cendol, Rojak and many more.

4pm

Visit the Khoo Kongsi Clan House

Amongst the many heritage buildings of Georgetown, is the magnificent structure of the Khoo Kongsi clan house. This imposing edifice which features Indo-Malay influences was built in 1920 after the original was destroyed by a fire in 1906. The walls, pillars and roof of the imposing structure are adorned with intricate carvings created by master craftsmen from China. The temple is the site for many Chinese opera performances during the seventh lunar month.

7pm

Have a rummage at the night market at Batu Ferringhi

Penang’s famous white-sand beach front, Batu Ferringhi is home to a wide variety of resorts and offers much water sporting action as well. However, a prominent attraction on Batu Ferringhi is its night market, which is populated by several vendors who offer a wide range of products like toys, souvenirs, apparel, accessories and more. 

9pm

Dine up a storm at Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive also known as Persiaran Gurney’ is Penang’s world-famous food-street. Located along the gorgeous Penang waterfront, Gurney Drive hosts numerous hawker stalls and restaurants offering  a whole host of famous Penang foods like Char Kuay Teow, Wantan Mee, Rojak, Oyster Omelet and many more.

Saturday

10 am

Explore Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis is a prominent historical landmark in Georgetown. This fort, which is named after the former governor-general of Bengal, Charles Cornwallis features ten feet tall walls laid out in a star-like formation. Inside the fort are some interesting old-world structures like a chapel, prison cells, a munitions storage area and several bronze cannons. Fort Cornwallis today is a privately managed site, which features an information kiosk, a café, an amphitheater, a history gallery and a souvenir store. Guides are available onsite to offer tours and regale you with historical information about the fort.

12 pm

Take a tour of Penang’s famed Blue Mansion, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Take a tour of this gorgeous Chinese mansion, which is also known as the Blue Mansion for its azure color .This restored Chinese mansion was built by a Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze on Leith Street in Georgetown in the 19^th century. The mansion is now a heritage hotel and is an architectural masterpiece, which has been recognized for its restoration efforts by UNESCO. During the tour you will be able to see its many decorative elements like carved doorways and windows, wrought iron spiral staircases, courtyards adorned with verdant planters and so forth.

2.30pm

Tour Little India and Chinatown

After a morning of much sight-seeing and history, take a break and  indulge in a variety of Indian eats like Paper Thosai, Roti Canai, Nasi Biryani at the many restaurants located within Penang’s Little India. This atmospheric enclave was founded by Indian immigrants, who arrived in Penang in the early 19^th Century as plantation workers, spice traders and even money-lenders. After lunch, you can walk around the area and take in its various sights and sounds like the Sri Mariamman Temple and the  many sari and jewelry shops. You could then carry on and do a tour of Penang’s Chinatown which is located close by.

4pm

Spend some quality family time at the Penang Butterfly Park/ Penang Bird Park/ Penang Toy museum

If you are visiting Penang with your children, then you should perhaps aim to visit at least one if not all these three family-friendly attractions to keep the young ones happy..

http://www.penangbirdpark.com.my/

http://www.timeout.com/penang/attractions/venue/Museums/title/Penang-Toy-Museum

http://www.butterfly-insect.com/

8pm

Dine at Cassis Restaurant

Savor some delectable Italian fare at Cassis, a rising star on Penang’s contemporary dining scene.

Sunday

10 am

Take in some culture at the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery

The Penang State Museum and Gallery hosts several galleries which chronicle Penang’s rich cultural history. The museum’s vast permanent collection features paintings, costumes, antiques, maps, historical documents, photographs and much more. The Penang Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the museum and features works of local artists alongside works of old masters.

2pm

Break for lunch at the famous Tek Sen restaurant

Tek Sen restaurant on Lebuh Carnarvon is a well-established dining institution in Penang. Offering a wide range of Southern Chinese eats, the restaurant is a favorite with tourists and locals alike.

3pm

Visit the Penang Snake Temple (Temple of the Azure Cloud)

The Penang snake temple is located in the small town of Bayan Lepas. This fascinating attraction was built to commemorate the famous Chinese monk, Chor Soo Kong. The legend associated with the temple states that Chor Soo Kong was a great healer who sheltered snakes, which had wandered into his home from the jungle. The Penang snake temple today hosts several deadly pit vipers. These deadly creatures lie coiled up on the alter tables and seem oblivious to the presence of their many human visitors. A common belief sates that the incense burnt at the temple paralyzes these lethal reptiles and they are quite  harmless.

8pm

End your day at China House

China House located in the heart of Georgetown is a multi-use space consisting of three heritage buildings offering various dining, shopping and entertainment options.