Penang
Pearl of the Orient
About Penang
George Town is the colorful, multicultural capital of the Malaysian island of Penang. Once an important Straits of Malacca trading hub, the city is known for its British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses and mosques. Beyond the old town, George Town is a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping malls. Verdant Penang Hill, with hiking and a funicular railway, overlooks it all.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
George Town UNESCO Heritage Site
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
MUST-GO BEST TOP-RATED Places In Langkawi
Avatar Secret Garden
Did You Know?
The name Penang comes from the Malay word Pinang, means the betel nut tree. The original name of Penang was Pulau Ka-satu or “First Island”, but on August 12, 1786 it was it renamed to Prince of Wales Island to commemorate the birthday of the Prince of Wales, who later became George IV.
Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia and the center of Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang, Kek Lok Si temple is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. The complex contains several buildings and courtyards worth exploring, the most significant being a 36.5-metre (120 feet) high statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, and 7-story pagoda housing 10,000 Buddha statues. Open hours extend during Chinese New Year, when visitors can view the temple adorned with over 200,000 fairy lights and 20,000 Chinese lanterns.
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
Tropical rainforest providing cool breeze, relaxing nature vibes, and panoramic views over Penang. Attractions on top of the hill include a mosque, Hindu temple, restaurants, nature trails, monkeys, a treetop canopy walk, landscaped gardens, playgrounds, and accommodation. Reachable via funicular from the Penang Hill office or by hiking or 4×4 drive from the Penang Botanical Gardens.
George Town UNESCO Heritage Site
A fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British Colonial architectural styles resulting in an unconventional yet charming urban formation. George Town’s rich cultural diversity saw it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Most recently, a dynamic street art scene has burst into George Town. Some wall murals, like Ernest Zacharevic’s “Boy on Chair”, provide interactive settings for visitors to become part of the picture and pose beside painted characters.
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
A classic night market selling clothing, souvenirs, and locally handmade items. Don’t pay the first price, vendors expect to be haggled with so but bring your best bargaining skills.
Avatar Secret Garden
A serene, rocky beach by day that turns into a scene from James Cameron’s 2009 movie Avatar by night. A section of Penang’s natural rainforest has been decked out in colorful LED and optic fiber lights, creating a mystical setting centered around a large banyan tree bearing an uncanny resemblance to the movie’s sacred spirit tree, Eywa.
