Penang.......Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is highly urbanised and industrialised and is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country, as well as a thriving tourist destination.
Direct access to the island is via the 13.5 km, 6 lane Penang road bridge or by the Penang ferry from Weld Quay. The later connects directly with Butterworth and is still popular with locals as it is cheap and within easy reach of Georgetown itself, connecting well with local transport. From further afield Penang International Airport in the south of the island handles traffic from flagship carriers such as Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International as well as a host of low-cost airlines such as Firefly and AirAsia. From the quay at Swettenham Pier speedboats operate daily to Langkawi, Kedah and Medan. Swettenham Pier Port also accommodates cruise ships and on occasions, warships.
Penang offers a host of attractions, especially those related to its historical past. In 1786 the densely forested and mountainous island had a mere 100 inhabitants but that was to change after the British Naval commander Francis Light landed there on 11 August. What followed was a rapid rise in international trade which 225 years later has resulted in an island population of more than 1.5 million.
In Georgetown itself, Penang’s administrative centre, evidence of prosperous times still exists in colonial architecture much of which has managed to survive despite demands for land development. But particularly noteworthy is evidence of a diverse culture with no single one appearing to dominate. Here among the colonial buildings you will find churches, mosques and Buddhist temples, evidence that Penang attracted settlers from far and wide during British colonial times and beyond. Nowhere are the origins of Penang’s prosperity more apparent than at Fort Cornwallis, built to protect the island from pirates. The fort which we see today was reconstructed at the height of the Napoleonic War from the original fort built in Francis Light’s time. The iconic Kapitan Keling Mosque built in 1801 by Indian Muslim traders is a reminder of the Penang’s roots built on trade. These locations are situated in the recently designated UNESCO World Heritage Zone, an area containing a melange of late 19th century colonial and settler architecture, texturized by a community that still maintains a traditional way of urban life. Here you will also find Khoo Kongsi clan temple and Pinang Peranakan Mansion. This heritage trail is best done on foot and includes Armenian Street, Pitt Street, Love Lane, Little India, the esplanade and Beach Road.
Outside of Georgetown there are sites of no lesser importance. Two examples are near the town of Air Itam. Here is the Kek Lok Si-Temple of Supreme Bliss, considered the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. Nearby is the recently upgraded, Penang Hill funicular railway. Other sites of note include Penang Botanic Gardens, Tropical Spice Garden, Penang Butterfly Farm, Pulau Jerejak Resort, Tropical Fruit Farm, Snake Temple, War Museum, Toy Museum. This list is hardly exhaustive such is the wealth of opportunities that Penang has to offer tourists.
Finally it’s hard to ignore that Penang offers plenty of delicious and cheap Malaysian food, but is famed throughout the rest of the country for some specialities such as Char Koay Teow, Penang Laksa, and Nasi Kandar, which are found practically everywhere on the island. Penang is an island of countless food stalls, a veritable "food paradise". It is known to many around Asia for its culinary originality and diversity. Penang's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but also shows some influence of Thailand. It’s especially famous "hawker food", many served al fresco, strongly features noodles, spices, and fresh seafood. The best places to savour Penang's food include Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, New Lane, New World Park, Penang Road and Chulia Street.
