A Short Penang Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Penang is a state in Malaysia, composed of an island known as Penang Island and a mainland

territory referred to as Seberang Perai. The two parts of the state is connected by a 13.5-km-long

bridge known as Penang Bridge. George Town is the capital city and a heritage site, housing an

array of historical landmarks, churches, temples, mosques and colonial buildings.

Beaches, hills, lush forests, and a rich cultural heritage draw tourists from around the globe,

making Penang one of the most visited travel destinations in Malaysia. This short Penang travel

guide will help first-time visitors, offering them updated information about flights, hotels,

weather, tourist attractions, transportation and several other issues related with holidays in

Malaysia.

The Best Time to Visit Penang

Penang is a tropical paradise that enables you to enjoy a warm climate throughout the year and

soak plenty of sunshine as well. However, the surrounding sea and wind system affects the local

climate, bringing heavy rains, winds and a phenomenon known as the haze, especially during the

monsoon season. So, it is better to avoid the monsoon season which is typically from August to

November.

Penang weather remains warm and enjoyable during the rest of the year, especially between

December and February, which are also the driest months here. Travelers should consider taking

flights to Penang around Christmas, New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year, which are also the

best time to visit the Malaysian Island.

Getting In and Getting Around

The state is served by an international airport known as Penang International Airport (PEN),

located just 14 km south of George Town, the capital city of Penang. It is the third busiest airport

in Malaysia, offering good facilities and providing connections to major cities in South East

Asia.

A number of Asian airlines, such as China Airlines, China Southern, Thai, Qatar Airways and

Cathay Pacific, offer cheap flights to Penang from an airport in the UK. The airfares are subject

to daily updates; so keep a track of the current airfares using resources provided by a trusted

travel agency like Hoodaki. Penang travel guide is just one of the many resources it has to offer.

From the airport, you can catch a bus to reach George Town, and then plan to take a walking tour of the

city, before leaving for other exciting destinations on the island, such as Batu Ferringhi, Gurney Drive,

Kek Lok Si, Balik Pulau and Penang Hill. All important places and landmarks are serviced by the

RapidPenang buses, the main hub for which is located at KOMTAR, the tallest building in Georgetown.

Eat, Sleep and Buy in Penang

Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi are two main tourist hubs in Penang, offering a range of hotels,

resorts and restaurants. The former can offer more budget-friendly options than the latter, which

is filled with luxury resorts, spas, hotels and fine dining establishments. Backpackers should try

to find an accommodation in Georgetown, especially in areas of Chulia Street, Muntri Street and

Love Lane. Other areas to search for good Penang hotels can be Gurney Drive and Bayan Lepas,

the place where the airport is located.

Find in Penang an interesting mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian culinary styles. Often touted as

“Malaysia’s food paradise”, it has to offer a wide platter of mouth-watering dishes, such as Char

Koay Teow, Laksa, Nasi Kandar, Mee Sotong, Hokkien Mee, Lobak and Satay. Also worth a try

is its very own tea-with-milk drink known as Teh Tarik. While restaurants are in plenty, there is

also no dearth of hawker stalls selling Penang cuisine at very affordable prices.

Shoppers won’t have a hard time finding a good mall or marketplace in Penang. Some of the

most popular shopping destinations include Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall, Gurney Paragon and

1st Avenue Penang. There are also quite a few flea markets that can offer a good interaction with

locals, besides showcasing some of the best locally produced items.

Things to See and Do in Penang

Penang travel guide will not be complete unless it offers an insight into some of the top things to

see and do here. Tourists generally stay at Georgetown and it is usually the best place to begin

your sightseeing tour in Penang.

A walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must for those interested in history and

culture. Walk along Armenian Street, Pitt Street, Love Lane, Little India, the Esplanade and

Beach Road and visit landmarks, such as Khoo Kongsi clan temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque,

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Fort Cornwallis, KOMTAR and Wat Chaiyamangalaram.

After seeing all that Georgetown has to offer, take a trip to Penang Hill and enjoy the

breathtaking views of the city from the hilltop. Then spend a day exploring the majestic coastline

to the north of the island and enjoy the splendid beaches of Batu Ferringhi. You may also want to

visit other important places on the island and take in the incredible views of Penang Bridge.

Don’t forget to check the following landmarks during your stay in Penang.

• Kek Lok Si: A famous Buddhist temple, Kek Lok Si is worth a visit for its exotic architecture

and artwork. Situated in Air Itam, it offers a harmonious blend of Buddhism and Taoism with

traces of Chinese influences on its architecture.

• Snake Temple: Located in Bayan Lepas, Snake Temple is particularly crowded during

Chinese New Year as the birthday of the Buddhist monk to which it is dedicated falls on the 6th

day of the first lunar month. Also known as the Temple of the Azure Clouds, it houses many

venomous serpents, which you can even touch if you are brave enough.

• Fort Cornwallis: Probably the most important colonial landmark in Georgetown is Fort

Cornwallis that was built by Captain Sir Francis Light soon after he took possession of Penang

from the Sultan of Kedah in 1786.

• Butterfly Farm: Enjoy the spectacular sight of colorful butterflies, thousands in number, all

fluttering around you. It is a kind of a live museum, enriching visitors and informing them about

the various breeding methods.

• Sri Mahamariamman Temple: The oldest Hindu temple in Penang, Sri Mahamariamman

Temple manifests the pluralistic cultural heritage of this part of Malaysia. Located in Queen

Street, the temple is characterized with fabulous architecture and fascinating sculptures of gods

and goddesses.

Share your experiences and add more to this short Penang travel guide, making it even more useful for

the first-time visitors to Malaysia.