Penang, one of the Malaysia’s 13 states is considered as the “Pearl of the Orient” of the Malaysia Peninsula. Penang is derived from the local word “Pinang,” which means betel nut. Thousands of tourists visit Penang to witness its unique heritage in culture and its breathtaking sceneries.

One of the most popular Penang attractions is the Georgetown Attractions. Georgetown is rich with Penang’s local tapestry of culture. This is Penang’s capital city where you can visit the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery. This museum features Penang’s local heritage tracing back to its early years. You can see a large collection of photos, documents, maps, antique pieces, costumes and other notable historical relics. In Georgetown, you can also see the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Fort Cornwallis, Khoo Kongsi, Kek Lok Si Temple, and St. George’s Church among many others.

Batu Ferringhi is also one of Penang’s attractions. Teluk Bahang, its neighboring town boasts of rich nature-based sights to see. Penang’s Cultural Centre, Batik Factory, and Yahong Art Gallery are only a few of the notable places to visit.

Tanjung Bungah on the other hand houses the Floating Mosque and the Toy Museum. The Floating Mosque or Masjid Terapung was newly built in 2004 as a replacement for a mosque, which was destroyed by a tsunami. This is the first mosque in the country, which was built on the sea. The Toy Museum on the other hand, holds over 100, 000 different types of toys, collectibles and other figurines. It is hailed as the largest toy museum in the world.

Bayan Lepas, also a Penang must-see attraction, houses the War Museum, which depicts Malaysia’s past and war history.

Gurney Drive is also one of Penang’s pride and it houses two very remarkable and beautiful temples, the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram and the Dharmikarama. Way Chaiya Mangkalaram is a Thai temple, which is a home to the Reclining Buddha Statue. Dharmikarama Temple, on the other hand is a Burmese temple, which is Penang’s first Burmese temple.

Penang also houses beautiful beaches and virgin islands on its northern part of the island. It has also taken care to preserve its nature, which makes it ideal for those who seek nature trips on their holidays.

Truly, Penang is just one state of Malaysia which holds true to its reputation of being a country with rich cultural heritage and attractive tourist spots.

Welcome to Penang! What better way to be introduced to Penang attractions than by ATAP — Association of Tourists Attractions of Penang.

Penang attractions are limitless. We would be happy to show you around our beautiful home. Trust us, you will not be bored while in Penang. There are tons of things to do, see, learn and EAT here! Whether you come for a relaxing holiday or with the intention to make your break chock-full of excitement, this is the place to be.

As one of the smallest states of Malaysia, we are proud that this little island and its sister Seberang Prai on the mainland have so much to offer. That is one of the reasons why ATAP was established. Memberships are formed from seven general fields related to tourism. We want tourists to get the most up-to-date and accurate facts about visitors attractions in Penang.

Visitors come here year after year. Die hard fans of Penang probably know more about it than the locals themselves! However, if we look back to the history of Penang, there are obvious reasons why people from faraway places are attracted to Penang.

When Penang was a bustling port at the height of the Spice Trade, it was the entrance to the Far East. Various nationalities and races stopped by and worked and stayed here. Penang diaspora, later on, kept on passing the legacy of “enchanting Penang” to their descendants. These descendants, in turn, would come over to look for themselves the charm of Penang, and more often than not, fell in love with Penang too.

From: PenangAttractions.org

Penang, Malaysia, which is also known as “The Pearl of Orient” has been a favorite destination for local and foreign tourists alike. Recently voted as the second best destination among “The 44 Places To Go in 2009? by New York Times readers, Penang is never short of great food, beautiful beaches and cultures.

Here are some recommendations you must not miss out when you visit Penang: -

1 – Take the Walking Tour of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site

George Town in Penang is recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site as one of the “Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca”, the other being, Malacca. Visit the popular attractions such as Fort Cornwallis, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, The City Hall, Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee clock tower, just to name a few to witness colonial buildings from the British era.

2 – Visit Nearby Islands

Besides Penang Island, the nearby islands such as Pulau Jerejak, Pulau Aman and Pulau Betong, which offers a more peaceful atmosphere as compared to the developed Penang Island, are worth visiting.

3 – Check Out Juru Highway Auto-City

Drop by Juru Highway Auto-City in Juru, whether it is for international cuisine or just for a cup of coffee, this is the place to be. With over 30 F&B and entertainment outlets, banks, auto showrooms and service centers, fashion boutiques and more, you can never leave Penang without stopping by this place.

4 – Shop Endlessly at Flea Markets, Night Markets and Shopping Malls

From the traditional flea markets and night markets (pasar malam) to the modern shopping complexes, Penang has it all. Visit Little India or drop by the largest mall in Penang, Queensbay Mall for great shopping experience.

5 – Cross Penang Bridge

Don’t forget to cross Penang Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Asia as it offers spectacular view of Penang Island. Connecting the mainland to Penang Island, Penang Bridge is also the host to the annual Penang Bridge International Marathon.

6 – Go on a Ferry Ride from Butterworth

Ride the Ferry from Butterworth to Penang Island and enjoy the scenery view of Penang. The ferry houses both vehicles and passengers, where passengers who drive can also enjoy the ride.

7 – Visit Kek Lok Si, the Largest Buddhist Temple in Southeast Asia

Kek Lok Si Temple, located in Ayer Itam, Penang, is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. The best known temple in Penang, Kek Lok Si houses a seven storey pagoda, a bronze statue of Kuan Yin, several large halls for assembly and prayer, statues of Buddha.

8 – Take the Train Up to Penang Hill

Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera in Malay) is a popular tourist spot in Penang, where tourists are able to view the entire Penang Island from the peak of Penang Hill. The most convenient way up to the peak through Penang Hill Railway, a funicular railway which has been in service since 1923!

9 – Enjoy the Sunset at Batu Ferringhi Beach or Tanjung Bungah Beach

Batu Ferringhi Beach is a popular beach in Penang that is well-known for its beautiful beach and scenery. It also houses large hotels, restaurants, pubs and night markets. Tanjung Bungah, which is also a popular tourist destination for its beaches, is the cheaper alternative to Batu Ferringhi.

10 – Sample the Popular Hawker Fare in Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive boasts of some of Penang island best street food from Char Kuey Teow to Asam Laksa, from Ice Kacang to Rojak. Penang is known for its food haven and the hawker food here are among the best in the world.

By CN Pong