Penang

Penang is an exotic tropical island off the north-west coast of Malaysia and amongst this island lies the UNESCO city of George Town. George Town is a vibrant yet laid-back city with a contagious, multicultural atmosphere and a notorious reputation for having the best street food in Asia.

Some of the well-known Penang tourist sites include museums like the Penang Museum and Art Gallery or the Penang Islamic Museum and parks like the Penang Botanic Gardens or the Penang National Park. There are also many historical attractions like Fort Cornwallis, Kek Lok Si Temple, and Georgetown, which has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. With so many things to do in Penang and so much history and culture on tap, it is an enjoyable and fun- filled destination.

History of Penang

Though inhabited since prehistoric times, modern day Penang was first established around the 18th century by the Minangkabau of Sumatra and later by the Arabs who came and settled on the island. European inhabitation on the island first occurred with the establishment of Fort Cornwallis, which is still among one of the most visited Penang tourist places. This also initiated the presence of the British in the Malay region for the next 200 years. By the 19th century, there was a growth in trade, especially with China, India, Siam, the Dutch East Indies and Britain, and this led to a rise in things to do in Penang in terms of employment and livelihood. Following this, Penang played a vital role in both World War I and World War II. With its natural harbour and centralised geographical location, reaching Penang by sea was easy via a German U-Boat station when the city was under Japanese control during World War II. Post-independence, with the growing electronics manufacturing, other industries and many Penang tourist places taking shape in the city, Penang has continued to prosper and is one of the wealthier cities in Malaysia.

Places to visit in Penang

Kek Lok Si, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Escape Theme Park, Penang Butterfly Park, Penang House of Music, Glass Museum, Penang 3D Trick Art Museum, The Top Komtar and many more places.

You will find a plethora of places to visit in Penang, an island that is proud of its culture and is in love with the idea of exhibiting it in every way possible. It doesn’t catch a break from impressing the tourists with the most unusual yet spectacular places like the Clan Jetties and the Floating Mosque.

This island has managed to wonderfully capture the heritage, architecture, and religious traditions that existed centuries ago till this modern day. The Penang tourist places are not bound to just that; it is an arena of markets, temples, churches, mosques, national parks, nature, museums, and adventure with something for every member of the family.

You will never run out of options to spend your holiday on this seaside land with an alternative for every mood.

Things to Do in Penang

In Penang, tourists find old-world cultural appeal from both East and West (concentrated in the northeast of the island around George Town), and examples of natural beauty (everywhere else). What follows is a thumbnail sketch of sights and activities worth checking out when in Penang.

Explore Penang's riotous food scene. Start with the top Penang food finds lining George Town's pedestrian-friendly grid. Local Malaysian street food favourites can be sampled off of street side stalls after dark, a delicious reward for brave diners.

Go temple-hopping. Penang has long been a multi-confessional society; a proliferation of temples and mosques can be seen within the George Town historic core.

Hit the beach. Penang's beaches can be found on its northwest coast: Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang welcome travellers looking for water sports activities and a vibrant street shopping scene.

Be one with the wild. Way outside George Town, parks like the Penang Bird Park, Penang Hill, and the Penang Botanic Gardens give nature-loving travellers a glimpse of the taxonomic riches abundant in Malaysia.

Go shopping. The British East India Company ships may have gone away, but the traders have remained, dispensing unique items in both traditional markets (like the Chowrasta Bazaar) and modern shopping centers like KOMTAR.

Best Time to Visit Penang

The best time to visit Penang is during the dry season in December, January, and February. If not in the dry season the second best time to visit Penang is considered to be between May and October, during the monsoon months.

How to reach Penang

By Air

India is well connected with Penang by air. The distance by flight between Delhi and Penang is approximately 3560 km while from Mumbai it is 3340 km. It takes around 8 to 9 hours to reach Penang from India. There are no direct flights between India and Penang. However there are a number of indirect flights which will help you reach Penang from India. Major flights that operate between India and Penang are Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines, and Malindo Air. If you want to get to Penang from Kuala Lumpur then you will easily reach in just 50 minutes by flights like AirAsia.

By Train

There is no direct train connectivity between India and Penang. But if you are planning to travel to Penang by train then it is possible. It takes around 6 hours for the entire journey between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The nearest train station is Butterworth station in Penang from where ferries run to get to Penang Island.

By Road

There is no road connectivity between India and Penang. However, Penang can be reached by road from Kuala Lumpur by renting a car, taxi or by bus. Buses to Penang run from Puduraya bus stand in Kuala Lumpur to Sungai Nibong in Penang. It takes around 5. 5 hours to reach Penang from Kuala Lumpur by bus. Keep your Penang Malaysia map handy so that you do not miss out on any direction. Another way to reach Penang by road is by hiring a taxi or renting a car, however this can be a bit pricey as compared to public transport.