Penang

Penang is a Malaysian state consisting of the island of the same name and the mainland of Seberang Perai. They are connected by the Penang Bridge. The state also includes several small islands. The island of Penang attracts the most travelers. The main tourist infrastructure and attractions are located there . Guests are offered a variety of accommodation options. The best hotels in Penang are marked by reviews with high service ratings. 

✔️ A bit of chronology and facts

The island was discovered by the Chinese in the 15th century. The first Europeans arrived here in 1592. They were the British. In 1786, the East India Company purchased Penang from the then Sultan in exchange for protection services. At that time, there were no settlements here; the entire territory of the island was covered by jungle . To attract settlers, the authorities promised everyone as much land as they could cultivate. By the end of the 18th century, 10 thousand people were already living here. 

In 1790, when the British failed to fulfill their obligations to the Sultan, he wanted to return the island, but he failed and ceded Penang to the British for rent. During the First World War, a naval battle took place in these waters, during which a Russian and French ship sank. In 1948, the island became part of the Federation of Malaya, and since 1963, Malaysia.

✔️ Entertainment Features

Penang offers a wide range of leisure options. There is a picturesque nature, national parks, boat trips and other water activities. The island also attracts young people with its vibrant nightlife . Fans of excursion tourism, architectural monuments, history and culture will be able to visit ancient landmarks, museums and more. There is also somewhere to do beach recreation.

The vacation will be complemented by trips for original shopping, traditional cuisine in local restaurants. They say that the capital of the state, Georgetown, is the best place to cook Malay national delicacies. Prices for a holiday in Penang depend on the chosen resort, hotel and room category. However, the cost of a holiday here is cheaper than on another popular island of Malaysia - Langkawi.

✔️ Possible transfer options

Penang has its own international airport. Buses run from it to the state capital. You can also get to your accommodation by taxi. If your resort is outside Georgetown, it makes sense to order an individual or group transfer. It is organized by the host company or the hotel, if it has such an opportunity. This is the most expensive way of traveling. However, it will provide maximum comfort during the move.

✔️ Weather conditions

The island is located in the equatorial climate zone. It is always warm here. However, the rest can be hindered by rains. Their seasons are April-May, October-November. The rest of the time, you can easily find and choose a tour online to Penang. It is worth noting that during the Chinese New Year (January-February) prices increase. You can also monitor the weather in real time and go on vacation during the rainy season, since it happens that during this period there are excellent conditions and prices are reduced.

✔️ What to bring back from your trip

Penang is a great place for shopping. It is often one of the main reasons for visiting the island. The main center of trade is the capital of the state. Georgetown has many shopping centers, shops, outlets, traditional bazaars , flea markets and antique shops. Popular souvenirs include batik fabrics and clothing, jewelry, tin products, ceramics, works of local craftsmen, organic cosmetics, home decor made by artisans. 

✔️ Search and selection of tours online to Penang, reasons to buy a tour or a trip 

This island is suitable for recreation for different categories of tourists: families, young people, couples, groups of friends.

▶️ Beach holidays

Penang is primarily attractive not for its beaches. However, there are places for swimming here. It is not recommended to relax in wild areas, since the water is not very clean, jellyfish are often found, the shore is not cleaned. Among the equipped locations, the following stand out:

◼️ Tanjung Bungah , located 9.5 km from the center of Georgetown. The coast is covered with golden sand, the entrance to the sea is gentle. Only the eastern part is suitable for recreation. There are hotels there, and the coast is kept clean. The water here is not the cleanest, tourists prefer to swim in hotel pools. There is a rental center for water sports equipment. You can go parasailing, fishing, water skiing, boat, catamaran, canoe, jet ski, sailboat, go on a sea trip. The main advantage of this place is its proximity to Georgetown. 
◼️ Batu Ferringhi is 15.5 km from the city. The water here is also not crystal clear, there are jellyfish and sea urchins, so it is worth getting special aqua shoes. The beach is sandy, stretches for 2 km. All the necessary infrastructure is there. Most of all, the beach attracts cafes, bars and nightclubs. In the eastern part, you can find some privacy, but the infrastructure in such a place is not developed. On weekends, it is quite crowded. Water sports include parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, catamaran riding, banana boats, tablets, kayaks, and a boat.
◼️ Teluk Bahang is located in the village of the same name, 21.5 km from Georgetown. This is a short sandy area surrounded by rocks and large boulders. The entrance to the water is uneven, there are stones and sea urchins at the bottom, the water is cloudy. The location is more suitable for relaxing on the shore than for swimming. Those who wish can go fishing with the locals, have a snack in a cafe.
◼️ Monkey Beach is located on the territory of a national park 25 km from the state capital. You can relax on a long, narrow beach line with white sand, which is approached by jungle thickets. There is a calm, clean sea with a gentle entrance. A great place for swimming, diving, snorkeling. The beach is so named because of the macaques that live in the surrounding jungle. You can also meet flying squirrels, lemurs, crabs here. This is almost a wild place, the arrangement is small.
◼️ Kerachut is also located in the same national park at about the same distance from Georgetown. This beach is more popular because it is closer to the entrance to the park. The natural conditions are the same as in the previous location, but the infrastructure here is more developed. A great place to relax in comfort, enjoy the unity with nature and admire the vibrant underwater world.
◼️ Teluk Kampiis also located in a national park. This place is perfect for lovers of nature and wild places. The shore is covered with sand, the entrance to the sea is smooth, the water is clean, there are no waves. The infrastructure here is poor, as it is a protected area. Water activities include boating, diving and snorkeling.

▶️ Ancient landmarks

There are quite a lot of architectural monuments on the island. The largest number of them are collected in Georgetown. The following places to visit are distinguished in the city:

◼️ Fort Cornwallis, built by the British in the late 18th century. It is noteworthy that it never had to participate in military actions. Initially, it was built of wood, but soon it was rebuilt in stone and brick.
◼️ Sri Marimman Temple is the oldest Hindu shrine in Penang. It was created in 1883. Traditionally, it is decorated with multi-colored figurines of deities, mythical creatures. The most remarkable is the statue of the god Subramaniam. It is decorated with gold and precious stones, including diamonds.
◼️ Khoo Kongsi Temple is a sacred place of the Chinese, built in 1851. The building is made in oriental style and is richly decorated with traditional elements. The temple survived a fire and reconstruction in 1902. It has survived to this day in almost unchanged form. 
◼️ Masjid Kapitan Kling Mosque, built in 1801. The architecture combines Islamic, Mughal and Moorish styles. 
◼️ St. George's Church is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 1817. It represents the neoclassical style with elements of Georgian Palladianism.
◼️ Peranakan House Museum is a striking example of local architecture of the 19th century. People belonging to high society lived here. Today, those who wish can examine the rich furnishings of the mansion. There is also an exhibition with things from the same century. It consists of more than 1000 items - clothes, jewelry, photographs, furniture and more.
◼️ Chong Fat Tze Mansion, built by a local magnate in the late 19th century. The building consists of 38 rooms, 5 granite courtyards. It is painted blue on the outside, and the roof is decorated with mosaics depicting mythical animals. Today it is a house-museum and an elite hotel.

These are far from all the interesting places on the island. Many believe that it is for these reasons that it is worth buying a tour to Penang in the first place.

▶️ Nature

Another important reason to visit this island is nature. Flowers, tropics, breathtaking panoramas, various animals - all this is here. The following are presented to tourists:

◼️ Butterfly Park, where there are more than 3 thousand butterflies of different species. It is located 22 km from Georgetown. Also among the inhabitants of the park you can see lizards, geckos, scorpions, centipedes, snakes, birds.
◼️ Bird Park, where representatives of more than 300 species of these animals are collected. It is located on the mainland of the state, 25 km from its capital. The park occupies an area of ​​5 acres. Here the net is stretched very high so that the birds do not fly away, but also feel free. Visitors can see hornbills, ostriches, flamingos, sunbirds, pheasants, pelicans, herons, swans and others. The park is also home to pythons, giant estuarine crocodiles, turtles, several species of deer, including the smallest even-toed ungulates on the planet - mouse deer and other animals. Hibiscus, orchids, bamboo, palm trees, lotuses, water lilies grow here. The park is decorated with cascading waterfalls, ancient Malaysian huts, traditional Chinese bridges, ponds with colorful fish.
◼️ Penang National Park, located in the northwestern part of the island and covers an area of ​​2,563 hectares, which includes coastal waters. Here you can see dolphins, otters, hawksbill turtles, monkeys, white-bellied eagles, herons, wild cats, wild boars, crabs, mouse deer and other animals. More than 1000 species of plants are also under protection. The park has a lake and about 10 beaches, some of which are described above.

In addition, you can visit the botanical garden with an extensive collection of flora and climb Mount Penang. At its top (830 m) there is an observation deck with a picturesque panorama of the island.

You can easily spend your entire vacation here. If you want a more beautiful beach holiday, head to Langkawi, and buy a weekend tour to Penang to have fun in the nightclubs and soak up the atmosphere of multicultural Georgetown.