Malaysia Destinations | Places of Interest in Malaysia

Destinations > Malaysia States > Penang

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Penang, 'The Pearl of the Orient' is a popular tourist destination for its alluring beaches and old-world charm. Founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company, it is a cultural melting pot and the oldest British Straits Settlement. Its historic heart of Georgetown was where ships refuelled and served as a centre for the spice trade as well as tea and cotton from China and India.

Places of Interest

Historic Places

Fort Cornwallis

Islamic Museum (Syed Alatas Mansion)

State Assembly Buildings

Penang State Museum

City Hall

Saint Xavier's Institution

Town Hall

Hainanese Mariners Lodge & PHT Office

Court Buildings

Home of Batu Gantung

Covent Light Street

King Wan Association

Residence of Ku Din Ku Meh

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Leong Fee's Mansion

Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base

Esplanade

Place of Worship

St. George's Church

Hainan Temple

King Street Temples

Benggali Temple

Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Temple)

Christian Cemetery

Little India

Chinatown

Mahamariamman Temple

Acheen Street Mosque

Teochew Temple

Church of the Holy Name of Jesus

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Dharmikarama Burmese Temple

Yap Kongsi Temple

Kek Lok Si Temple

Malay Mosque

Nattukkotai Temple

Khoo Kongsi

State Mosque

Cheah Kongsi Temple

Snake Temple

Cathedral of the Assumption

St. Anne's Church

Carpenters Guild

Wat Chayamankalaram

Goldsmiths Guild

Saint Francis Xavier Church

Natural Gateways & Parks

Batu Ferringhi

Pulau Aman

The Aquarium of the Fisheries Research Institute

Pulau Jerejak

Balik Pulau

Teluk Bahang Recreational Forest

Beach and Fishing Villages

Tropical Fruit Farm

Botanical Gardens

Tropical Spice Garden

Bukit Jambul Orchid, Hibiscus, Reptile Garden

Youth Park

Butterfly Farm

Mengkuang Dam

Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest

Penang Bridge

Bukit Panchor Recreational Forest

Penang Bird Park

Forest Hikes

Penang Forestry Museum

Kampung Seronok

Penang Hill

Ayer Itam Dam

Activities

Heritage walk/tour in Penang's maze of narrow streets offers an insight into the past where little has changed since the days of East India Company. Expect to 'get lost' amongst joss stick shops, fresh noodle makers and other old crafts.

Take a trishaw ride to discover Georgetown's heart and soul. Georgetown with its eclectic blend of colonial, Moorish, Indian and Chinese architecture is a sensory journey of fascinating sights, sound and aromas.

Accommodations

Budget Hotels in Penang

Desa Pelangi Apartment Hotel Mingood BAAN TALAY GUEST HOUSE

Getting There

By Air

Learn more on Penang International Airport.

By Road

Penang Island is accessible by road via the Penang Bridge. A charge of Rm7 is levied on all classes of cars uding the bridge at the toll plaza in Prai on the mainland. No payment is required for the return trip from the island to the mainland.

By Ferry

From Butterworth, visitors can take the ferry to Penang Island. Operated by the Penang Port Commission, the ferry service is available for both passengers and vehicles. Fares for passengers and vehicles charges are collected at the Butterworth terminal. No payment is required for the return journey.

Opening hours:		6.00am - 1.00am
Ferry charges	Vehicles:	RM7.00 (car) RM1.40 (motorcycle)
	Passengers:	RM0.60 (adult) RM0.30 (children)

By Rail

The train journey from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth takes approximately 8 hours and affords passengers views of the scenic countryside of Peninsular Malaysia. Learn more about Malayan Railway or Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

Getting Around

Penang's public transport system is efficient and getting around by taxis, buses or trishaws may be a fun and inexpensive way of catching the sights.

City Taxis

Most city taxis do not use the meter. You may either insist on the meter being turned on or agree on the price before you hop in.

City Buses

Most buses use coin machines to collect fares. The main bus terminals are at Pengkalan Weld (ferry terminal) and KOMTAR (ground floor).

Transit Link (white and red)
Bus No	Route
1	Air Itam
2	Bagan Jermal
3	Jelutong
4	Jalan Yeap Chor Ee via Jalan Perak
5	Jalan Masjid Negeri via Dhoby Ghaut
6	Jalan Masjid Negeri via Jalan Pantai
7	Jalan Kebun Bunga (Botanical Garden)
8	Penang Hill Railway (from Air Itam)
9	Jalan Masjid Negeri via Jalan Penang/Jalan Dato' Keramat
10	Kampung Melayu
11	Taman Tun Sa'ardon via Jalan Masjid Negeri
12	Jelutong/Air Itam Village
18	Bukit Mertajam (via Penang Bridge from Port Weld)
28	Bukit Mertajam (via Penang Bridge from KOMTAR)
130	Air Itam / Farlim
202	Batu Ferringhi / Teluk Bahang
353	Balik Pulau
325	Bukit Gedung
361	Balik Pulau (via Air Itam)
353	Balik Pulau (via Sungai Ara)
361	Balik Pulua (via Air Itam)
Sri Negara Transport Services Co. (blue and yellow)
136	Port Weld to Pepper Estate
137	Port Weld to Tanjong Tokong
Hin Bus (white and blue)
93	Batu Ferringhi / Teluk Bahang
Mini Bus
66	Port Weld to Balik Pulau (via Snake Temple)
67	Port Weld to Gertak Sanggul
69	Port Weld to Batu Maung
21	Port Weld to Air Itam
32	Port Weld to Bayan Lepas
80	Port Weld to Paya Terubong
84	Port Weld to Bayan Baru
86	Port Weld to Mayang Pasir

Mini buses also ply various routes in the city, charging a flat rate of RM0.70 except for bus no. 66 & 69.

Food

Penang is claimed to has Malaysia's best food. Open-air stalls with a variety of local food can be found along Gurney Drive, Bayan Baru, Mac Alister Road, Anson Road, Burma Road and Pulau Tikus. Nonya food (a Chinese and Malay culinary blend) is also best sampled in Penang and Malacca.

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