Going Cultural With A Holiday In Penang And Perak

By Author: Johan Andressen
Total Articles: 91
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If you are an art and history lover, Malaysia is a perfect place for you to spend your vacation. A holiday in Penang and Perak will definitely give you the exposure to the country’s diverse culture and history. The most beautiful part of it all is that your vacation does not have to cost a bomb. A lot of things are relatively cheap in Malaysia, including tourist accommodations. Of course, if you go to 5-star hotels you can’t really expect the price to be low. There are many budget hotels all over the country that provides 5-star comfort at only a fraction of the price of a high-end hotel room.

A traveller with a passion of history would definitely love a holiday in Penang due to the island’s rich history with buildings of different architectural eras to prove it. Even if you’re staying at a budget hotel right in the middle George Town, you will ...
... still be able to witness the co-existence of heritage buildings and traditional arts alongside modern development. This is because the city has been acknowledged by the UNESCO as a heritage city. Basically the buildings in the city are maintained and preserved from further development that would rip the cultural identity of the city away. The skyline of the heritage city is also protected so that no tall buildings can ever ruin the charming wholesomeness of the city.

You may want to remember that a holiday in Malaysia means visiting more than just one state. You can be assured that you won’t get to see the beautiful difference in the cultures of different states. The architecture of heritage buildings in different states is also influenced by each state’s respective history. For example, if you were to visit Kellie’s Castle in Perak, you may discover that the building, although built by a wealthy Scottish man, are embellished with Moorish arches and Greco-Roman details. The construction of the mansion was never fully completed as the owner died before he could finish the building.

A history buff on a holiday in Perak may also enjoy the Ipoh Heritage Trail that consists of a driving tour and a walking tour. Basically you will be on a guided tour around ‘the city that tin built’ to learn more about the history and significant buildings scattered all over the city. The architecture of the buildings of the mining era is simply marvellous. It will be like you are taken through time to witness the history and development of the city from its heyday until its claim modern growth. This area of the city has been preserved to maintain its charm as a city of the days of old. So this will be a good opportunity for you try out the local coffee at a kopitiam instead of looking for your regular latte at Starbucks.

Looking into the history of a city is always fascinating especially if you are into learning the local culture to understand the city and the people better. Of course, it may take more than just a day trip to fully understand the richness of the culture of the Malaysian people. However, it can always be a memorable vacation as you will probably never find the same things in this country elsewhere. Malaysia has always been unique and affordably so. Therefore, it may be a good idea for you to start looking for a budget hotel for you to stay on your quest to learn more about the history, culture and the people of Malaysia.