Penang – Famous tourist destination in Malaysia

The island of Penang in Malaysia is dubbed as the “Pearl of the Orient” and considered to be one of the most famous tourist destinations in Asia to date. This is not hard to imagine, as Penang has grown into a beautiful city with modern architecture and yet manages to preserve its historical value over time, offering the best of all worlds in a small area.

Captain Francis Light named the island Penang or Pulau Pinang which means the “island of the Betel nut”. This name probably derives from the fact that betel palms are commonly found within the island. Penang’s population largely reflects its diversity. You can find different races on this island coexisting quite peacefully with each other such as Chinese, Malay, Indian and others.

RELIGION

Religion on this side of the world is freely expressed and respected. The official religion in Penang is Islam, but you can find temples and other religious places of different faiths, such as Buddhist and Hindu temples.

ANNUAL FESTIVALS

Penang is quite a busy island, always abuzz with annual festivities from different cultures. If you’re visiting Penang Island, it’s not uncommon to come across at least one festival during your stay. Some of the highlights are the Chinese New Year which is celebrated in late January or early February which signifies the beginning of the Chinese lunar year and Christmas Day which is celebrated by Christians every December.

Other occasions celebrated annually in Penang, Malaysia are: Goddess of Mercy’s birthday, Wesak Day or Lord Buddha’s birthday, Hari Raya Puasa marking the end of Ramadan, Feast of Saint Anne, Hari Raya Haji, Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods. , Malaysian National Day and Deepavali in commemoration of Lord Krishna’s murder of the evil king.

KITCHEN

A trip to Penang can never be complete without trying its fine delicacy and cuisine highly influenced by Malays, Chinese and Indians. There is definitely no place for fussy eaters here as there is always something for everyone and the food is really good, tourists keep coming back for more. The most famous dish is Penang Laksa, a tamarind-based fish soup stuffed with noodles. Penang Laksa is a very delicious and filling treat. Tourists can choose to buy their food from roadside stall “hawkers” or regular restaurants that are dotted around the area. Gurney Drive is the famous food street where you will find hawker stalls lined up and selling the best of Penang Food.

Some local Penang favorites include:

– Malaysian style satay or kebab.

– Apom, a paper-thin Indian pancake.

– Apong, Nyonya’s folded pancake.

– Beef ball noodles

– Char Koay Teow, stir-fried rice noodles.

– Arroz con pollo, a complete meal of Hainanese rice cooked in chicken broth served with grilled or steamed chicken.

– Fried oysters for seafood lovers!

– Mee Goreng, an Indian fried noodle.

– Mee Suah Tau or noodle soup with shredded crab meat.

These are just some of the suggested meals in Penang, as this city is known for its excellent cuisine and its list of foods is virtually endless.

SHOPPING

Shopping is never a problem in Penang. Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak is the largest and most famous shopping complex in the area. It is the tallest building in Penang and the sixth in Malaysia. The KOMTAR Tower is by far the most ambitious urban renewal project in the city of Penang. Famous retail stores and outlets are housed in this massive building, a true one-stop-shop for shopping tourists.

BEACHES

Penang’s beaches stretch from Tanjung Bungah to Telok Bahang for miles and miles. The most popular beach front is Batu Ferringhi, which is quite busy during the high season. Other beaches that you can find in Penang are: Tanjung Bungah, Muka Head, Pantai Keracut, Pantai Acheh, Monkey Beach and Gertak Sanggul, all of which are beautiful sandy beaches where you can relax and have fun in the sun.

GEORGETOWN HERITAGE SITE

Georgetown is the capital of the island of Penang and was declared by UNESCO in 2008 as a world heritage site. Georgetown has an extensive list of places to see, some of its most famous tourist attractions are the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion on Leith Street, built in 1890. Fort Cornwallis on Light Street was built in 1793 and visit the Penang Islamic Museum on Armenian Street . The Pinang Peranakan Mansion can be found around Church Street and also check out the Queen Victoria Clock Tower, which commemorates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Penang is also home to the largest bridge in Malaysia and one of the largest in the world, the Penang Bridge. Don’t forget to also experience Penang Hill, a favorite spot among tourists that is accessible by train or on foot.

Your visit to Penang will be richly rewarded by different cultures and traditions that can only be experienced in Penang, Malaysia. If you need to get away from it all, Penang is the place for you, offering places to explore on foot and beautiful beaches for swimming. Cultural heritage permeates the air of Penang, from sight, sound and smell.

Your visit will not leave you going home empty handed considering the best outlets for electronics, clothing and other products made in Southeast Asia. Cultural diversity is also reflected in the dining options available on this side of town. Penang really feeds the mind and soul. With both modern and historical value, it’s safe to say that there is something for everyone here in Penang.

Copyright (c) 2009 Nowal Khan