About a hundred kilometers south of
Langkawi lies the island of
Penang, Malaysia's "Pearl of the Orient." When
 first
occupied by Captain Francis Light in 1786, the island was filled with lush
tropical vegetation. The betel nut palm was a common sight all over the
island--a fact which gave rise to the name Pulau Penang, Island of the Betel
Nut. Penang has come a long way from its early beginnings as the first
British trading post in the Far East. Its capital, Georgetown, is a bustling
metropolitan city that from its earliest foundations has produced a unique
blend of Eastern and Western cultures.
The famous beaches of Penang--Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Teluk
Bahang--offer all the scenic delights of a tropical island paradise. Penang
is a resort island in full swing, with an abundance of fine hotels,
discotheques, and all-night restaurants--the ideal playground for sun
worshippers who gain speed as the sun goes down.
But there is another, undiscovered side of Penang. Along the northwestern
coastline, on the opposite side of the island from Georgetown, lie some of
the finest and least known beaches on the island. Sparkling sea, powdery
white sand, and sunlight filtering through coconut groves awaits those who
are willing to hike the jungle paths that are the beaches' only access. The
effort is more than worthwhile. |
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Hotels Penang |
Last Minute Hotels Penang |
 Hotel
Equatorial Penang
Equatorial Hotel Penang is strategically located in the Southeastern part of
Penang Island, which is an architectural marvel, nestled on a hillock. The
hotel is surrounded by landscaped gardens, shopping malls, banks, Pantai
Hospital and Penang international Sports Arena. Guests can visit various
places like Batu Ferringhi Beaches, Botanical Gardens, China Town, Penang
Museum, Reptile and Orchid Farm, St. George's Church and Snake Temple.
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» PENANG Sightseeing Tours
Events & Attractions |
Penang Tourist Attractions
| "If we say nothing but what has been said
before us, we are dull and have observed nothing. If we tell anything new,
we are laughed at as fabulous and romantic" so wrote the English society
figure Lady Mary Wortley Montagu in a letter to her husband in 1718.
One is tempted to conjecture that had she lived in the next century and
had been to Penang she might not have made such a wry comment! Simply
because there is so much to tell about the places of interest you have seen.
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Simply because Penang is such a popular tourist destination and has been
visited so many times over, it will be impossible for travelers to recount
something that has not been recounted before! In short, a visit to Penang will
not be complete if one does not tread a path, follow the road, get around, knock
around, go places, sightsee or peregrinate for nowhere else in South East Asia
will you find a more peaceful and pleasing island.
For the fun-loving and outdoorsy tourist, there are numerous beaches, fishing
villages, nature trails, recreation forest and waterfalls. If you find touristy
spots like Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi too crowded, you can retreat to
more remote but no less attractive beaches at Muka Head, Pantai Keracut, Monkey
Beach, Pantai Acheh and Gertak Sanggul.
While in Teluk Bahang don't forget to visit the butterfly farm and batik
factory.
To rejuvenate jaded senses, Penang Hill beckons with the promise of fresh and
cool air and an awe-inspiring view of the island. Still relatively unspoilt,
Penang Hill provides a quiet break from the hectic pace of the city.
Breathtaking views of the island and the Andaman Sea can also be enjoyed during
the drive to and from Balik Pulau.
Reflecting the multi-cultural character of Penang are the numerous houses of
worship to cater to nearly every faith – Islam, Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism,
Hinduism and Sikhism. If you plan to visit, do remember to dress decently and
remove your shoes before entering some places of prayer. When visiting a mosque,
it is recommended that you do so during the hours when Muslims are not
performing one of their five daily prayers. So as not to offend anyone, do not
bring any meat or alcohol into houses of worship. Keep in mind that all the
religions in Malaysia observe one taboo or another vis à vis food and drink.
Not to be left out of your itinerary are the Colonial Quarter, Little India,
Chinatown and the historic port settlements. Heritage tours are recommended if
you want to check out every nook, cranny and side street. To get a panoramic
view of George Town, check out the viewing gallery on the 58th floor of Komtar.
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