Penang (Malay: Pulau Pinang) is an island off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is also the name of the Malaysian state which is made up of Penang Island and the facing strip of territory on the mainland called Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley).
Penang’s beaches are nice, though a little lackluster when compared to those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more than compensated for by the island’s rich multicultural history which is full of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. Penang is also well known for being the “food paradise” of Malaysia.
Places to visit in Penang
- George Town colonial quarter
One of the joys of touring George Town’s historic section is the opportunity to cover many of the sites in this compact area by foot. Along the foreshore there are the Clan Jetties, a hamlet of houses on stilts, joined by wooden walkways over the water and inhabited by 2,000 boatmen and fishing families, each group belonging to a different Chinese clan. At the other end of Pengkalan Weld is the Jam Besar (Clock Tower), presented to the town in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Across the road is Fort Cornwallis, which marks the spot where Captain Francis Light arrived on 17 July 1786. Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah (also known as the Esplanade) runs between the waterfront and the Padang before the fort. This area is lined with handsome, 19th-century colonial government buildings and their brilliant white is highly evocative of the era in which they were built. The British worshipped in St George’s Church (1818) on Lebuh Farquhar. It is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. One of the great monuments from George Town’s colonial days is the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham both stayed here; a drink in the venerable Farquhar’s Bar, overlooking the harbour,
- Khoo Kongsi
The most elaborate clanhouse in George Town is the Khoo Kongsi. Designed to capture the splendour of an imperial palace, it has a seven-tiered pavilion, “dragon” pillars and hand-painted walls engraved with the Khoo rose emblem. The original design was so ambitious that conservative Khoo clansmen cautioned against it, lest the emperor of China be offended. After eight years, the building was completed in 1902; but on the first night after it was finished, the roof mysteriously caught fire. Clan members interpreted this as a sign that even the deities considered the Khoo Kongsi too palatial for a clanhouse. The Khoos rebuilt it on a more modest scale. Following a massive renovation by 16 Chinese artisans using traditional Chinese materials, the clanhouse has been restored to its former splendour.
- Suffolk House
The magnificent Suffolk House, Penang’s first “Great House”, has been beautifully restored through public and corporate funds spanning seven years. The conservation architects relied on paintings of Suffolk House between 1811 and 1818 and together with intensive research and in-situ evidence, their restoration efforts were rewarded with an Award of Distinction from the Unesco Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.
Guided tours will introduce you to the Anglo-Indian garden house on the pepper estate once owned by Francis Light and thereafter you can adjourn to the restaurant for lunch, high tea or dinner.
- Kek Lok Si
Penang’s loftiest temple sits on a hilltop at Air Itam, 6km (4 miles) from the Buddhist Association. Kek Lok Si, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia and indeed in the region, features a seven-tier great Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Its walls are decorated with 10,000 alabaster and bronze Buddha images, and it is renowned for having three architectural styles: a Chinese base, a Thai middle section and a Burmese top. The Kek Lok Si complex is split into three sections spread over Crane Hill.
The three “Halls of the Great” honour Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy; the Laughing Buddha, who spreads prosperity and happiness; and Gautama Buddha, founder of the faith. It is here that the monks pass their hour in prayer. The Tower of Sacred Books on the topmost tier houses a library of Buddhist scriptures and Sutra, many of which were presented by the Qing dynasty emperor Guang Xu.
- Batu Feringgi
Penang’s holiday beaches are to the north of the island. The road up from Jalan Tanjung Tokong follows the curve of the land, twisting up and around a hill, or skirting the fringe of the sea. Rocky headlands divide the shoreline into small bays and coves, each with a different character and charm. The beaches are popular for swimming, sunbathing and aquatic sports.
Batu Ferringi, with sandy beaches and rows of luxury resorts offering waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, horse riding and other sports, is the main resort.
Where to stay
Most of Penang’s fancier accommodation is in the form of beach resorts on the main tourist beach of Batu Feringghi. More backpacker-friendly options, as well as a few classical luxury hotels, can be found in Georgetown. You can find many budget hotels at Chulia Street, Muntri Street, and Love Lane area.
Food in Penang
Penang is the place to sample all those Chinese, Indian, and Malay foods that you’ve been wondering about. Noodles can be bought on the street for less than US $1; delicious Indian Muslim food is served on banana leaves while Bollywood music fills the air.
Travel guide to Penang
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