Penang

The island of Penang was first settled by the British East India Company back in the 1780s. Growing rapidly thanks to its free trade status, the settlement became known as Georgetown and is now Malaysia’s second largest city. Despite its modern importance, much of its beautiful Chinese heritage remains, with pokey shops, Buddhist temples and excellent food. An extremely friendly place, it also serves as the gateway to the rest of Penang with its beautiful beaches and lush rainforest.

Attractions

On first arriving in town, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery is the best introduction to the history of the island, with informative exhibitions illustrating the various major events. Next stop should be the atmospheric Chinatown, centred around lubuh Chulia. Two main attractions stand out: Khoo Kongsi, the Dragon Mountain Hall, is a traditional Chinese clan-house dating back to the start of the twentieth century and is a wonderful example of fine, measured mainland Chinese architecture, and, the huge Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, built for a wealthy Hakka merchant.

Within Chinatown, there is a small Indian enclave, known as Little India. The highlight of this lively district is the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple with 38 carved Gods greeting you at the entrance.

Not unsurprisingly, Georgetown also has a colonial district. The rundown Fort Cornwallis marks the spot where the British first reached land and the Padang, next to the Moorish clocktower, is popular for evening strolls. The elegant Eastern and Oriental Hotel and the Dewan Undangan Negeri, State Legislative Building, both indicative of a world long gone, are charming examples Victorian colonial architecture.

Further afield, the Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai temple outside Penang is a must see for its 33m reclining gold Buddha. Opposite, the Dharmmikarama Burmese Temple is ornate and really quite special indeed. Finally, Kek Lok Si Temple-complex, Malaysia’s biggest Buddhist temple, tops what is a temple-heavy tour, with its wonderful views down across the island, its endless statues and its colourful exuberance.

Visitors looking for the beach after all that sightseeing should head either to Batu Ferringhi, where a number of resorts have set up shop, or to the fishing village of Taluk Bahang.

Shopping

Penang is a smart place to buy batik cloth, either as a shirt, a skirt, a pair of trousers or, better still, as a sarong. These can also be found made out of songket, a kind of cloth with threads of gold and silver weaved into it. Otherwise, keep an eye out for silverware.

Nightlife and Eating Out

The food in Penang is superb with a wide range of choice at fair prices. For a quick bite to eat, the numerous hawker stalls serve up all sorts of local dishes on the go, whilst there’s a good selection of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Nonya restaurants. Given the proximity of the sea, seafood is always a good bet.

Barwise, Penang has a lot of options for relaxing with a drink late into the night, though is limited when it comes to dancing.

Tourist Information

The Penang Tourism Action Council, 56th Floor, KOMTAR, 10000 PenangTel: +60 (0)3 2615 8188Email: enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.myOfficial Penang Tourism website

Airport

Penang’s Bayan Lepas Airpport is about 18km out of town and has a regular bus service. Regular flights leave to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Madras in India and Xiaman in China.