See what the experts are saying about Penang. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
From a tourist map, the island of Penang looks somewhat like a mink's pelt. Georgetown, its capital, sits roughly on the right arm of the skin, while the site of the Muka Head Lighthouse on the left signaled its strategic appeal when the Brit... Continue reading »
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History
"Lest we forget—lest we forget!" Rudyard Kipling in "Recessional". Penang's history meaningfully began when a quick-witted Francis Light discovered the island, off Malaya's northern west coast, and deemed it a seamless fit in the British E... Continue reading »
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Where to stay
Historians reasoned that England developed into a great naval nation because no place in the country lies more than 100 (give or take a few) miles from the sea. By the same token, would that make the Isle of Penang a force to be reckoned with... Continue reading »
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Eat drink
Penang's food scene well deserves the accolades and yearnings that come from far and near, yet some border on the superfluous: "At any given time, one half of Penang is cooking for the other half to eat." And, on the corny: "The Palate of the... Continue reading »
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Entertainment
Art Galleries This little Betel Nut island packs a potent punch when it comes to art and culture. The art scene started blossoming with the recent wave of trendy art galleries. A pioneer spearheading the movement, The Art Gallery, clinches th... Continue reading »
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Tours
Tour: Foreign and Religious Enclaves The port provided the cradle for early immigrant settlers, the nannies of Penang's progress and modernization. By colonial design, Georgetown started as a neat patchwork of residential, commercial and r... Continue reading »
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Getting there
Getting There: By Air: Penang is serviced by the Penang International Airport (+60 4643 4411), located 16km from the city. The following airlines offer service to Penang: Air Asia: (http://www.airasia.com ) Cathay Pacific: (http://www.catha... Continue reading »
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Fun facts
Penang: Country: Malaysia Penang by the Numbers: Population: 1,225,501 Elevation: 13 ft Average Annual Rainfall: 100 in Average January temp: 82 degrees F Average July temp: 82 degrees F Quick Facts: Time zone: GMT+8 Electricity: 220... Continue reading »
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Introduction
Penang is unique in Malaysia because, for all intents and purposes, Penang has it all. Tioman Island may have beaches and forests, but it has no shopping or historical sights to speak of. And although Malacca has historical sights and museums... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
Visitor Information The main Malaysia Tourism Board (MTB) office is located at no. 10 Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah (tel. 04/261-9067), just across from the clock tower by Fort Cornwallis. There's another information center at Penang Intern... Continue reading »
Penang Travel Experiences
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Culture
Penang... what to say about Penang. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. You could walk down the street, smells of strange fish r... Continue reading »
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Pinang
I'm learning not to trust my first impressions of a new destination. I arrive hot , sweaty and tired and invariably don't enjoy my f... Continue reading »
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Penang: Strangeness.
Hieeeeee.....my lovely folk! A new country....horrrrraaaaggghhhh!!!!!So up I get early because when walls don't meet the ceiling it tends... Continue reading »
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Pinang
We waved bye bye to Thailand and headed South in a rickety old minibus to country no. 2, Malaysia. With the drizzling rain, dri... Continue reading »
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Taking the tour or going for a ride
I am leaving on the night train to Kuala Lumpur so I decided last night to sign up with Jim the owner of the hotel to do his tour of the... Continue reading »
Popular Penang Hotels
- City Bayview Hotel
- Sunway Hotel Georgetown
- The Bayview Beach Resort
- Love Lane Inn
- Hydro Majestic Hotel Penang
- The Crown Jewel Hotel Penang
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
- G Hotel
Popular Penang Things to Do
- Blue Moon Lounge
- Snake Temple
- Visit Kek Lok Si
- Kek Lok Si Temple
- Malayan Railway Building
- Dharmikara Temple
- Visit the Buddhist Temple
- Penang Hill Funicular Railway
- Penang Hill
- Spice Garden
