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. 1 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 2 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. 3 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. - end - For more information or enquiries, please contact Visit Malaysia Year Secretariat, at 03-8891 7000 or log on to www.myfest2015.com.my. 4
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