A Thousand Reasons To Visit Penang

By Author: Johan Andressen
Total Articles: 91
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Known throughout South East Asia as the Pearl of the Orient, Penang has maintained to be a popular destination among travellers from all over the world! With so many interesting places to visit Penang, any traveller would find what they are looking for as a holiday destination. From an endless selection of local delicacies to the white, sandy beaches, travellers would be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on places to visit Penang. Located in the Northern Region of the Malaysian Peninsular, Penang was founded by Francis Light in 1786. From its humble beginnings, Penang has attracted many immigrants from around the region and transformed its landscape to what it is today. Georgetown, the capital of Penang, was even named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its diverse cultural influence evident in the architecture of the buildings in and around the ...
... city. Travellers who love to visit places of rich cultural history, the many “Kongsi” or clan-houses of the early Chinese settlers would be something of a unique experience. Travellers should also pay a visit to arguably Malaysia’s oldest and most famous Hindu Temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple. Be enchanted by the rich South Indian influenced architecture and the nearly 40 statuettes that adorn it.

If visiting historical sites is something to look forward to in a travel destination, then Penang’s very own Fort Cornwallis would be the ideal place to visit. Many of the original structures can still be seen while some of the cannons there date back nearly 400 years! From Fort Cornwallis, hop on a taxi or a trishaw and head to Penang Hill to escape the afternoon heat. At 830 meter above sea level, it is much cooler than in any other place in Penang. Not only is the weather cool, the view of Penang Bridge and the mainland from the summit is simply breath-taking! After a hectic day visiting interesting places, a good place to wind-down and relax would definitely be Batu Feringghi. This famous stretch of beach is known to come alive after the sun sets with stalls displaying local hand-made souvenirs and a wide variety of local delicacies. Throughout the day, Batu Feringghi offers a host of water sports: wind surfing, canoeing and parasailing, just to name a few.

When it comes to diversity, Penang is not the only place in Malaysia to have such diverse culture. In fact, Malaysia as a whole is a melting pot of people from all cultural and traditional backgrounds. With so many places to visit Malaysia, travellers get to experience everything from shopping to historical tours to water sports. It is said that no trip to Malaysia is complete without visiting the capital: Kuala Lumpur. If some retail therapy is what is needed, the many shopping malls in and around Kuala Lumpur will be like godsend! From premium international brands to simple handcrafted souvenirs, there is simply something for everyone in this bustling city. Boasting a reputation of being one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers should definitely be on any traveller’s to-do list when in Malaysia. Symbolizing Malaysia’s drive towards modernization, the Twin Towers are an unmistakable structure in Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Others who prefer a more relaxing environment wrapped in the rich traditions of the local Malay culture would find Kota Bharu in Kelantan an interesting destination. Activities high on the recommended list would be a visit to Kelantan Silverware for its intricately designed souvenir pieces and a visit to the town’s famous market: Pasar Besar Siti Khatijah. This distinctive market is not only visually aesthetic, perfect for shutterbugs, but also because it is entirely run by women!

Besides the many attractions in Peninsular Malaysia, Kuching has its fair share of attractions as well. There are definitely many places to visit Kuching Sarawak, making it one of the top travel destinations in East Malaysia. Longhouses are a symbol of the uniqueness of the people living in Sarawak and are a definite must for any traveller looking to experience something no other place in the world offers! At half a day’s travel from Kuching, travelling to the longhouses is already a rich experience, journeying through the Rejang River in a longboat. In Kuching itself, the main attraction is the Kuching Waterfront during the evenings. With a modern esplanade and the number of food and beverage outlets dotting the bank, it is known to be a famous meeting place for locals and travellers alike.