Pulau Pinang

The Pearl Island of Malaysia

The island of Penang, which is also known as the 'Pearl of the Orient' lies off the northwestern coast of peninsula Malaysia and has an estimated population of 1,000,000 people. The state capital of Penang, Georgetown, named after King George III of England, is located at the northeastern tip of the island. This lively metropolitan city has much to offer travelers with its colourful history, fascinating culture, and lovely beaches.

Visitors will find trendy restaurants, sidewalk cafes, discotheques, night markets, departmental stores and quaint pre-war shops together with a host of other places to give this state its lively and colourful character. Another attraction is the Penang Bridge, spanning 13.5 km from Seberang Perai on the mainland to Gelugor on the island. This engineering marvel has been acclaimed as one of the longest bridges in the world.

Save up to 70% on Penang hotels, and receive instant booking confirmation with Wotif.com. They have a wide range of Penang accommodation and Penang beach hotels to suit every travellers budget, and all bookings in hotels in Penang are backed by a 24/7 customer service centre.

The Brief History

Penang today bears the mark of an early history of successive foreign influences - from the early Indian Cililization that took root in northern Malaya to that of the Portuguese, Dutch and later the British who came to this part of the world in search of spices and stayed to participate in the lucrative trade.

The history of modern Penang can be traced back to 1786 when Francis Light managed to presuade the Sultan of Kedah to cede "Pulau Pinang" (Betel Nut Island) to the British East India Company. Light landed at the site of the present Esplanade and according to local legend, fired gold coins into the surrounding jungle to include his men to clear the area. The island was originally named Prince of Wales Island and the settement that son grew up was named Georgetown after King George III. In 1800, the Sultan of Kedah further ceded a strip of land on the mainland across the channel which Light named Province Wellesley, after the then Governor of India. In 1832, Penang formed part of the Straits Settlement with Melaka and Singapore. It flourished and grew to be a major trading post for a lucrative trade in tea, spices, china and cloth. For more than a hundred years, it remained under British Colonial rule until 1957 when it gained independence and became one of the states of the newly formed Federation of Malaya and later Malaysia in 1963.

Shopping in Penang

Penang is definitely a shopper's paradise, with hundreds of retail establishments located conveniently, in and around the city. These places are famed for its variety of goods and reasonably cheap prices. Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, or fondly known as KOMTAR is one of the biggest and most famous shopping complexes in the city. It is located in the heart of Georgetown and is 65 stories high. Over here, visitors can find a labyrinth of boutiques, fast food outlets, restaurants, amusement arcades and shops as well as two of the biggest department stores. Visitors can also have an excellent aerial view of the whole city as well as daily cultural shows at the Tower Tourist Center on the 58th floor. A duty free shop on the 57th floor offers good shopping and the souvenir center is yet another place to get memorabilia of Penang.

If visitors are searching for fine jewelry, then Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh Kapitan Keling are the places to go. Batik , the highly versatile fabric available as individually designed pieces or as clothing, table-cloths, napkins and furnishings, may be purchased at factories in Teluk Bahang and in souvenir shops at Batu Ferringhi. For batik paintings, it can be found in galleries in Jalan Penang, Lebuh Leith and Batu Ferringhi. Antique lovers, in search of rare bargains can go to the junk shops along Rope Walk (Jalan Pintal Tali) for a range of antique items and bric-a-brac such as porcelain ware, chains, coins, old glass, old ceiling lamps and antique clocks.

Places of interest

Khoo Kongsi

Part-temple, part-meeting hall for the Chinese Khoo clan, this particular kongsi is extraordinarily ornate. When it was first built in 1901, its roof caught fire on the night of completion. This incited rumours that the heavens were incensed that the building bore too much resemblance to the Heavenly Emperor's Palace. Ascaled-down version was then constructed. The current building, adorned with intricate wood carvings, coloured tiles, and friezes of dragons and deities, served as a location set for the 1999 film, Anna & the King.

Penang Hill ( Bukit Bendera )

Malaysia's first hill station, Penang Hill is 830 metres (2730ft) above sea level, visitors can ascend to the top by either hiking up or by the funicular railway which has been operational since 1922. Apart from the cool, refreshing climate and the fantastic view at the summit, visitors can also view the picturesque bungalows, a beautiful flower garden and a bird park.
There are bungalows for rent and a hotel for those who want to stay for more than a day. Visitors can also indulge in refreshments and snacks at a convenient tea kiosk located on top of the hill.

There is a good walking track up the hill. It takes 4 hours to reach the top and is recommended only for the more energetic. The jungle trail begins at the 'moongate' at Jalan Air Terjun, approximately 300m from the Botanical Gardens entrance.

Fort Cornwallis

To get the best of Penang's colourful past, walk around the old colonial area that envelops Fort Cornwallis. The fort is one of Penang's oldest monuments, and the site of Captain Light's historic landing in 1786. Erected by convict labour, the stone structure is now home to many weathered canons. Look out for Seri Rambai, the largest cannon at the fort, which is venerated by childless women for its procreative powers. Fort Cornwallis also features a small museum which traces the fort's history, an open-air amphitheatre, and souvenir shops.

Little India

Colourful saris, fragrant spices, and glittery jewellery gather in Penang's Indian enclave to give visitors a multi-sensory experience. The old-world charm of Penang is romantically captured in traditional trades like astrology and betelnut-peddling.

Chinatown

In the heart of Georgetown lies Chinatown. Stretching from Weld Quay to Jalan Penang, Chinatown never fails to evoke a sense of history. Take a nostalgic stroll on the well-preserved streets lined by shophouses, clan houses, and temples.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Arguably the largest and most fascinating Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, it features a seven-storey pagoda that has a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese craftsmanship. The dome on top is of Burmese design, the middle part Thai, and the base Chinese. Perched impressively atop the hill of Air Itam, this temple took a whopping 20 years to complete and now boast gardens and a turtle pond.

Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang, and Tanjung Bungah Beaches

Lying on the northern coastal route of Penang Island, these beaches have made Penang a world-class beach resort island. At Batu Ferringhi, the white and sandy shoreline is a haunt for many sports like parasailing, windsurfing, and jet-skiing. The beaches of Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah are perfect spots for sunbathing while the lush foliage fringing the sands makes trekking in the forests a popular activity.

Snake Temple

Snake temple which was built in 1850 is a sanctuary for poisonous snakes. They coiled around the pillars, beams and potted plants within the temple and are believed to be rendered harmless by the smoke of the burning incense.

Penang Bird Park

Home to 800 tropical birds of 300 species, the 2,000-square-metre park features gigantic cassowaries, emu, and ostriches.

Penang Butterfly Farm

The first of its kind to be built in the world, the farm is home to more than 400 species of butterflies and insects. Butterflies flutter about under a huge net in the 0.8-hectare area. A lily pond, artificial waterfalls, and gardens peppered with exotic flowers add to the landscape.

Penang Famed Beaches

The northern shores of Penang Island are well known for its beautiful beaches with its golden sand and deep blue sea, making the beaches a famous spot for both locals and visitors to Penang. Along these beaches are resorts of international standard which offer a host of water-based recreational facilities. Visit the Batu Ferringhi Beach, which offers all the scenic delights of a tropical island paradise. Along the beaches are many 5 star hotels with water sports, swimming pools and a variety of restaurants with a fantastic view of the sea. Service is much better here with most of the staff speaking English. Along the main road are more restaurants and outlets that will provide a fair bit of entertainment in the evenings when the sun is down.

Penang Museum and Art Gallery

Built in 1821, the Museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, charts and other historical relics. There are also Malay daggers (Keris), Chinese furniture, embroidery and painting of old Penang.
The Art Gallery on the first floor displays the works of local artists and is the venue for special exhibitions. The statue of Captain Francis Light graces the grounds in front of the building.

P.Ramlee's House

Situated along Jalan P. Ramlee (formerly Caunterhall Road), is the newly restored wooden house, to commemorate the late P.Ramlee, Malaysia's foremost entertainer. Originally built in 1926 by his farther and uncle, the house had previously undergone successive repairs before being taken over by the National Archives as an extension of its P.Ramlee Memorial project in Kuala Lumpur.
The display within and outside the house features the main living areas and also the life history of the late singer, actor, composer and director. The various artifacts include his personal memorabilia related to his life in Penang and also items belonging to his family.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden offers peace and tranquility amidst lush green surroundings, tropical plants and the vibrant colours of Penang's flora. The 30-hectare garden also features a waterfall. Created in 1884 by the British, it was meant as a tribute to Charles Curtis, its first superintendent who collected botanical specimens from the surrounding hills - specimens which have since become significant samples in the world's major herbariums.
The garden is also well-known for their bold Rhesus monkeys.

See also : Penang Accomodation.

How to get here?

By air	Penang is easily accessible by air with daily flight from major capitals of the region. It has direct links with Singapore, Bangkok, Nagoya, Medan, Xiamen (China) and Madras, operated by Malaysia Airlines. The airline also operates more than 20 daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The Penang International Airport is about 20km from the city center. Taxis plying the route follow the coupon system by which fares between the airport and various destinations in Penang are fixed. Air-conditioned taxis and limousines charge higher fares.
By Road	The opening of the Penang Bridge linking the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia to Penang Island has facilitated driving to Penang.
By Ferry	From Butterworth, it is necessary to take the ferry to Penang Island. The ferry service is available around the clock for both passengers and vehicles. Tickets are purchased at the Butterworth terminal and the rates are applicable for a return journey.
By Rail	The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth takes approximately 6 hours. First and second class passengers travel in comfort in the air-conditioned coaches, Taking the train is a comfortable way to travel within the country and allows one the opportunity to see a lot of the countryside. Keretapi Tanah Malayu Berhad (KTM Bhd.), (Malayan Railway) also operates regular services to Alor Setar, Padang Besar, Haadyai and Bangkok from Butterworth.

[ BACK ]

Penang Attractions

Related Links