Penang

Understand

Penang was part of the Malay sultanate of Kedah until 1786, when Captain Francis Light built a fort at the site of present-day George Town and managed to get the island ceded to the British East India Company. The island, along with Malacca and Singapore, was one of the three British Straits Settlements. The name Penang comes from the Malay word Pinang, which means betel nut (槟榔) (Areca catechu). The name Pulau Pinang translated literally from Malay means "betel nut island". The original name of Penang was Pulau Ka-satu or "First Island", it was renamed to Prince of Wales Island on 12 Aug 1786 to commemorate the birthday of the Prince of Wales, later, George IV. During the early and middle part of the last century, Penang Island was also known as "The Pearl of the Orient". The capital, George Town, was named after King George III of Great Britain. Today, Penang has the highest population density in Malaysia and is the only state where ethnic Chinese are in the majority. Despite its small size, the state of Penang today has the third-largest economy amongst the states of Peninsular Malaysia, after Selangor and Johor. The cargo trade has largely shifted down to Port Klang and Singapore since Penang lost its free-port status in 1969, but now Penang makes a good living off tourism and electronics manufacturing. The multi-national corporations that operate factories in Penang's Free Trade Zones include Intel, AMD, Braun, Dell, Flextronics, Agilent, Osram, Motorola, Seagate, and Jabil Circuit. Penang was granted Cyber-City status on 21 June 2004. At the World Heritage Committee Session in July 2008, George Town and Malacca were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Orientation The state of Penang is made up of two parts: Penang Island, a turtle-shaped island in the Straits of Malacca 8 km west of Peninsular Malaysia, and Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley), a rectangular-shaped district that is part of the mainland. George Town is Penang's largest city. Development of the eastern coast of the island is slowly linking George Town, in the northeast, to the city of Bayan Lepas in the southeast. The northern coast, including Batu Ferringhi, is also being heavily developed and features the island's best beaches and resorts. The island's western side and central hills are still relatively undeveloped and havr a serene "kampung" (village) lifestyle and feel to them.

Climate Penang, like the rest of Malaysia, has an equatorial climate. This means temperatures of between about 22°C/72°F (night) and 30°C/86°F (day), between 70% and 90% humidity, and an

Getting there

By plane

Penang International Airport (PEN IATA), formerly Bayan Lepas International Airport, is the third largest airport in Malaysia and situated in Bayan Lepas, about 16 km (9.9 mi) south of George Town. The airport is served by more than 15 airlines with flights operating to domestic and international Asian destinations. Domestic flights include Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kuantan, Langkawi and Malacca, served mostly by AirAsia, Batik Air and a few destinations by Malaysia Airlines and Firefly. International flights also call at the airport from Banda Aceh, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Krabi, Ko Samui, Medan, Phuket, Singapore, Surabaya and Taipei. Ground transportation options to the airport fall under two categories, local taxis or the public bus system, Rapid Penang. Naturally buses are the cheaper option but if you do want a taxi head towards the taxi counter for a pre-paid coupon to your specific location. Several buses depart from the airport to different locations around the island. If heading to George Town take bus 401 or 401E to Weld Quay (Not to Balik Pulau), with Bus 401E being an express bus. Bus 102 runs from the airport all the way to Batu Ferringhi via KOMTAR, but it might take longer than your flight in and the service is at best hourly. KOMTAR or Weld Quay (the terminus) are good areas to alight from the bus as most other buses will also pass through these bus stops. The bus fare is RM2.70 each way and ensure that you have exact fare as the bus driver cannot give you change.

By car Penang is connected to the mainland and the North-South Expressway by the Penang Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Asia, and by the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, commonly called the Penang Second Bridge, which is further south and even longer. There is no toll for vehicles heading to the mainland on either bridge, but vehicles headed to the island must pay a toll as follows: For the First Bridge: motorcycles: RM1.40, cars: RM7, lorries and vans with two axles and four wheels: RM12. For the Second Bridge: motorcycles: RM1.70, cars and other vehicles with two axles and three or four wheels, except buses: RM8.50, vans and other vehicles with two axles and six wheels (except for buses, which are charged RM26.20): RM30.50. Bicycles are not permitted on either bridge, and have to be transported on the ferry instead.

By train The nearest train station to Penang island is Butterworth train station and is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railway or KTMB). Tickets for all services can b

Getting around

Walking One of the best ways to sight see is to walk around George Town; but wear light clothes, start early in the morning, and put on plenty of sun-block during the daytime. When crossing the roads, remember to look both ways, even on a one-way street.

By bus

RapidPenang, the local bus service, features new buses. All bus stations and bus stops which are serviced by the RapidPenang buses are labelled with proper signboards. The main hub for buses in George Town is KOMTAR, the tallest building in town. The secondary hub is located at the Pengkalan Weld (Weld Quay) ferry terminal. All buses departing from the ferry terminal will stop at KOMTAR, but downtown-bound buses headed for KOMTAR may not go all the way to the ferry terminal; ask the bus operator. There is a new long-distance bus terminal at Sungai Nibong, referred to in Get in by bus. Bus times don't adhere too well to the timetables because of traffic. Download the MyRapid PULSE app for live bus locations. You need to enter the bus route number under "Where to?" to see the live feed.

Main bus lines

Buses are somewhat frequent on the main artery to Batu Ferringhi. Bus 101 bound for Teluk Bahang goes through midtown Pulau Tikus, (northwest end of) Gurney Drive, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi (Starbucks is a good place get off and gives access to the beach), Tropical Spice Garden, Escape/Entopia and terminates at the Penang National Park entrance. Buses 203 and 204 to Air Itam (RM1.50 adult) depart westward on Lebuh Chulia (the main backpacker hotel road) or southbound from the KOMTAR building are handy for visiting both Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) Funicular Base Station, approximately 30 min south west of the city center. The driver will inform you of when to alight. Bus 204 departs from the funicular base station to return to Komtar and onward. Municipal Council of Penang Island together with RapidPenang provide a free shuttle bus service in George Town called CAT (Central Area Transit), which runs approximately between the Pengkalan Weld ferry terminal and KOMTAR every 20 min daily 06:00-24:00, (including Sundays and public holidays). Visit CAT bus for more details.

Bus prices A bus trip can cost between RM1.40 and RM4 per ride. (June 2024) Tourists can also purchase a Rapid Passport for RM30 and enjoy a week of unlimited travel onboard all rapid Penang buses. (June 2024)

By trishaw These three-wheeled human-powered vehicles might be the best idea for a pleasant city tour. One can stop at any point to take a photo or buy souvenirs. Many trish

See

Penang island, in particular, is full of things to see, including the great views of George Town and environs and across to Seberang Perai from Penang Hill, the tremendous Kek Lok Si pagoda in Ayer Itam, the many historic Chinese towkay (merchant) mansions, and the quiet beaches on Balik Pulau.

Armenian Street is a narrow street in old town George Town, with Penang's most famous example of street art, Ernest Zacharevic's Children on a Bicycle. Lots of shops, cafes and restaurants as well. This street used to be the home of Armenian Merchants, later it hosted a meeting of Sun Yat-sen that changed China's history the site of which is now a museum, and today it has a rich history with different cultures represented.

Do

The secluded beaches of Pantai Kerachut, Muka Head, and Teluk Kampi are located on the northern coast. There is an old lighthouse at Muka Head beach. You can reach these beaches by either hiking (1 - 3 hours) or by hiring a fisherman's "sampan" (boat) from the small village of Teluk Bahang. The village has a kilometre-long beach and a small Scout campsite. Jungle trekking & camping in the reserve forest in Teluk Bahang (also called Penang National Park). The park entrance is RM50 per person (foreigner price as of June 2024). Trekking through the forest is not easy, it is a jungle and the atmosphere is very hot and humid. The stretch from the entrance to Pantai Kerachut beach is correctly maintained and can be completed within 1:20 hour. The extra stretch from Pantai Kerachut to Teluk Kampi beach is much more difficult, going up and down a big hill, and doesn't seem to be maintained at all. It can be completed in about 40 minutes. Both beaches are quiet, have a few tables, toilets, but no other amenities. Make sure to bring your own water and food. It is also forbidden to swim because of toxic jellyfishes. For a quicker and more relaxed way to reach the secluded beaches there, approach the locals at Kampung Nelayan for boat rides to beaches like Muka Head, Pantai Kerachut, and Teluk Kampi. Kampung Nelayan is less than 1 km down the road northwest of the small roundabout located at Teluk Bahang. More strenuous but cooler walking can also be done on Penang Hill. Popular walks start around the Botanical Gardens, the Youth Park, and Moon Gate which is located in between the two. Golf clubs include Penang Golf & Country Club near Bayan Lepas, and Bukit Jawi Golf Resort near Nibong Tebal. Watersports are on the agenda for many visitors, although the waters are a bit too murky for scuba diving and a bit too calm for surfing or more extreme pursuits. Swimming is OK along most of the northern coast especially near the international-class hotels as they do their best to keep the beaches and water clean. You can also try out jet skis and parasailing near most of the hotels along Batu Feringhi beach. Cycling, included guided cycling tours in Balik Pulau. Gyms include Seven Star Gym upstairs in Chowrasta Market, near Chulia St on Penang Road, across the street from Mydin's. Cost is RM10 per visit. Jen Hotel, next to Komtar, also has a gym non-guests can use for a fee. Night activities can be found in Upper Penang Rd or UPR. It is a very popular place to be at night among locals and tourists alike. It is opposite the famed Eastern and Oriental Hotel and beside the Ci

Buy

Outdoor markets in Penang include the Flea Market at Lorong Kulit in Georgetown, and Pasar Malam (Night Market) along Batu Ferringhi.

Eat

Penang is widely considered the food capital of Malaysia and is a melting pot of cuisines. The obvious mix of Malay, Chinese, Peranakan/Nonya and Indian cuisine has a strong presence along with a variety of other international fare. Penangites live to eat and will eat anywhere, provided the food is exceptional. Often some of the best food can be found along the side of a busy road or even down an inconspicuous alleyway. The rule of thumb is to be adventurous with your tongue, look at the condition of the stall and its surroundings. If in doubt where to eat, go where the locals eat and ask around for recommendations.

Local delicacies If you have been to Singapore or other parts of Malaysia you may see some familiar names, but don't be fooled as some dishes in Penang are quite different from what you may get elsewhere. With that in mind, many dishes that are common throughout Malaysia are also present in Penang, which can be found under Malaysian cuisine. The following is a list of some common and popular Penang dishes.

Meals

Assam Laksa is a far cry from the sweet, coconut Singapore version. The broth of this noodle soup is packed with tamarind (assam), Lemongrass, galangal and flaked fish and is typically garnished with pineapple, mint, onion, prawn paste and a generous helping of chilli. The combination is utterly unique, powerful and will have the uninitiated breathing fire. The coconut variety, called Curry Mee, is also available in Penang. Char Hor Fun (炒河粉) is a local dish with flat rice noodles (kway teow) in a delicious broth of beaten eggs and seafood bits. Goes best with pickled green chillies. Char Kway Teow (炒馃条) is the ever popular stir-fried (char) flat rice noodle (kway teow) dish found throughout Malaysia and Singapore, often mixed with prawns, cockles, bean sprouts and vegetables, with an egg mixed in on request. Exceptional versions of this dish can be found all over Penang, with the best typically coming from roadside stalls, Hawker centers and coffeeshops, or Kopitiams. Hokkien Mee (福建面) in Penang bears little resemblance to the stir fried dishes of the same name found in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. It is a soup based dish filled with rice and egg noodles, pork, prawns, vegetables, bean sprouts, a hard boiled egg and fried shallots. Mee Udang is the Malay version of Hokkien Mee. Kway Teow Th'ng (粿条汤) contains flat rice noodles (kway teow) in a clear chicken soup (th'ng) with slices of chicken, pork, fish cake and garnished with chopped spring onions. Some also include duck meat or even offal, but you can request for them to leave

Sleep

Much of Penang's accommodation options can be found along the northern area of Penang Island, with bargains to be found in George Town and Batu Ferringhi. Take note that advertised prices often do not include the 6% government tax and 10% service charge that is required by law for hotels. Informal accommodation, such as small hostels and simple home stays may not be required to include this additional charge. Advertised prices will often show a plus-plus after the ringgit amount, to indicate the charges are excluded from the price. As such, prices advertised as RM30++ will actually cost RM34.80. Since 2017 there is also a RM10 per room per day tax for foreigners only.

Budget Most of Penang's budget accommodation is in the form of backpacker hostels, located in George Town, within and near the historical core of the city. There is a large concentration of hostels located along and around Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Muntri and Lorong Love. Many of the hostels are within charming and slowly decaying historic shops that have been renovated to house guests. In terms of price, expect to pay around RM20–40 for a dorm bed, RM50–60 for a single private or RM60–100 for twin and double private rooms. Most of the better hostels will at least have shared bathroom facilitates, air-con, Wi-Fi and a simple breakfast. For those who do not favour hostels, there are a few budget hotels available scattered throughout the state. The notable Tune Hotel that is found throughout Malaysia is located in George Town, just outside the historical city area. Budget hotels are generally simple, a little worse for wear, but still livable, and have the advantage of a private ensuite. Noise insulation is non-existent in many and can be a major problem for the light sleepers.

Mid-range Mid-range beach accommodation can be found in Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah, typically those that are not located directly next to the beach front. In some cases, Mid-range hotels are not much better than some of the better budget hotels and it may be worth paying a little more for a more luxurious hotel. Heading to Balik Pulau offers a much more laid back experience with a small range of home stays among rice paddies, fruit farms and kampungs (villages) to a couple of more expensive retreats.

Splurge

Penang has a modest range of luxury hotels for those who can afford it, including the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, founded by the same Armenian family who opened the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Beach resorts are also common luxury options, with most found along the beach strip of Batu Ferringhi and

Go next

Alor Setar - capital of Kedah state Hat Yai - the largest city in southern Thailand, about 4 hours away by road Ipoh - capital of Perak state Kota Bharu - capital of Kelantan state Perhentian Islands - Pulau Perhentian Langkawi - A popular tourist destination famous for beach resorts Taiping- a town at North of Perak state Phuket- at South Thailand Medan - at Sumatra, Indonesia. There is no ferry to Medan anymore, since the price of flights to Medan became cheaper than the ferry. You can go to Medan by airplane with several airlines. Bangkok - If planning going on into Thailand, your best bet is to hop on the Padang Besar-Bangkok International Express. It's dirt cheap (RM112-Lower Berth), very comfortable, super clean sheets, and blankets laundered after each use) and wide cosy beds. You can, of course, jump off at Surat Thani (if going to the islands of Koh Samui and Phanga) as well as Hua Hin. However, it's not worth your while for short trips such as Hatyai because all tickets are charged at sleeping berth prices and your berth is only readied at Hatyai station stopover.