PENANG, PEARL OF THE ORIENT
Famed as the ‘Pearl of The Orient’, Penang is nestled on the north western part
of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang is a cultural melting pot, bring together
fascinating experiences across cultural and heritage attractions, local cuisines,
historical sites and modern pastimes, all in one island.
Favoured by both locals and international tourists, Penang is a travel hotspot.
It blends the old and the new, creating fascinating discoveries for travellers in
almost every corner of this tropical island paradise. Its capital, George Town,
which was accorded a UNESCO World Heritage City ranking was also named
as top 8 in the list of the world’s top 40 holiday hotspots for 2014 by UK-based
The Guardian newspaper, making it the only South-east Asian destination to
make it to the list.
Idyllic Beaches and Islands
The islands alluring beaches and exotic sights have made Penang a top
favourite amongst tourists. Popular is the Batu Ferringhi beach where tourists
can experience the touch of the sandy beach and experience exciting water
sports activities such as parachute, jet-ski, boating and banana boat rides.
Depending whether you prefer to relax or have a fun-filled holiday, various
options are available. For a touch of ecotourism, in 2014, the Penang National
Park was ranked the top 7 highest rated parks and green spaces in Asia, voted
by international travellers who have booked accommodation on Agoda.com.
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Mouth-watering temptations
The food in Penang is widely regarded as the best and widest range of street
food in Malaysia. One should never miss delicious hawker foods that are served
round the clock. Not to be missed is surely the char kuey teow, asam laksa,
nasi kandar as well as the cendol of Penang. These dishes are the most popular
dishes served with their own specialty and tastes. These dishes are often
freshly prepared to order at reasonable rates. In fact, in 2014, Lonely Planet
listed Penang as the world’s top culinary spot for 2014.
Where history and mystery meet
Besides its beauty and local cuisines, one should never miss the cultural
heritage located in Penang. Tourists can always take a stroll down to the
cultural heritage and discover the cultural diversity of Malaysia’s biggest ethnic
influences in the religious places of worship; Malay mosque, Chinese temple
and Indian temple. More often than not, these buildings are often located quite
near to each other. The closeness and harmonious relationships enjoyed by
the Penangites from different races are best reflected by their respect for each
other’s culture, festivals and traditions.
For an idea of where to visit, check out the historic streets of George Town
which is like a living museum, abundant with colonial buildings, quaint cafes,
arts and crafts, and more. Other worthy attractions include the Dhammikarama
Burmese Temple in Lorong Burma which was founded in 1803 and features a
serene
Buddha
statue
with
white
marble
face
and
hands,
Wat
Chaiyamangalaram which has 33 metre long gold-plated reclining Buddha
statue, one of the world's largest, the Penang Toy Museum which houses a
massive collection of action figures and collectibles from the movies, Kek Lok
Si Temple which is home to the seven storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand
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Buddhas, said to be one of South East Asia's most beautiful and Penang Hill
which is accessible via a funicular train to view spectacular views of the city.
Exquisite architecture
Apart from cultural heritage, Penang is also well developed with modern design
and architecture as can be seen from the Penang Bridge. Built in 1985, it was
then one of South East Asia’s longest bridges, built across the channel to
connect the island with the peninsula over a span of 13 km. Today, a second
bridge link connects the island to the North-South Highway in Juru over a length
of 22 km, making it even more accessible by land. One can enjoy the scenery
of the sea while in the car by just winding down the car window.
Easy access to anywhere
Penang is a place where you don’t have to worry about transportation issues.
Commuting around the island is so easy with the various modes of
transportation available such as buses, trains, trishaws, ferry, taxis, and even
rented bicycles. Why spend on petrol when one can rent a bicycle and explore
Penang? You can enjoy the exercise while cycling as well as explore Penang
at your convenience and leisurely pace. In fact, it is very safe to ride a bicycle
around Penang’s tourist attractions, as bicycle lanes are progressively being
built along the scenic coastline.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Penang is a breeze. There are hundreds of hotels, guest
houses, apartments as well as chalets available at various budgets and styles,
all around the island, from the historic city area to the touristy destinations. And
if you are thinking of finding an idyllic place to retire in, it is good to know that
Georgetown is placed third in US News' list of the best exotic places to retire in
2014.
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A One-Stop Shopping Paradise
The development of Penang has turned it into a shopping paradise with a
choice of world class shopping centres such as Gurney Plaza, Gurney
Paragon, Times Square, 1st Avenue Mall, Queensbay Mall and more; as well
as bargain bazaars like the night markets and Penang Road bazaars. You will
be able to find everything one wants at attractive prices. Penang is a paradise
where you should come and visit. It is truly an experience to gain from this
island located in Malaysia. It is an island offering just about all you would want.
Thus, visit Penang and discover all the exclusive things that Penang has.
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For more information or enquiries, please contact Visit Malaysia Year
Secretariat, at 03-8891 7000 or log on to www.myfest2015.com.my.
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