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Located in Southeast Asia, Penang is a top destination for regular and medical tourists alike. Famous for its street food, peranakan culture, and quality healthcare, it is the perfect place for budget-conscious tourists. If you are planning your future visit or just looking to add Penang to your travel bucket list, read on to envision your perfect vacation and have the best time there!
Table of contents
Where is Penang located?
Penang is a Malaysian state that has two areas separated by the Malacca Strait: Penang Island and Seberang Perai. Its official language is Malay, but you can definitely use English everywhere. Its currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). The best way to get to Penang is by flying into the Penang International Airport, where most international flights will land. Then, use Grab or the bus to get to where you are staying.
It has a tropical climate with monsoon seasons typically falling between Late May – September and November – March. April to August is typically recommended as an ideal time to visit; less rain and humidity would be expected in this stretch of time.
Travel tips: Do as us Asians do and bring plenty of sunscreen and a UV-protective umbrella! The intense sun rays can get overwhelming in the middle of the day.
Its culture is a mish mash of Melayu, Chinese, and Indian- giving way to the fascinating Peranakan culture! This is distinctly reflected in the architecture, food, and local dialect. It really is a fascinating melting pot of cultural influences, and I love the diverse cuisines available in hawker centers all over town.
Where should I stay in Penang?
The center of all activities is actually located in Georgetown, the capital city located 30 minutes away from the airport. I highly, highly recommend you to stay in the Georgetown area if it is your first time visiting- this would save you a lot of time and transportation costs to many points of interest! As for which area of Georgetown you should aim for, it depends on your preferences.
Are you there for a medical check up? If so, pick a hotel closer to the hospital to make your morning registration time. Are you mostly interested in the tourist attractions because it is your first time here? Then stay closer to Armenian Street. Finally, if you are a nature lover who love their peace and quiet, then inch closer to the Penang Hill area!
Fret not, I will tell you more about these places below. 😉
What is there to do in Penang?
A lot of my friends, family, and acquaintances go to Penang mainly for medical check up or treatments. We are not here to talk about that though (please let me know if you’d want more information on that in the comments!)- so let’s get on with the popular places you should visit here!
1. Armenian Street
First things first: Armenian Street!
Armenian Street is one of the main destinations most tourists visit while visiting Penang. It is filled with street art and cultural decor, and there are plenty of shops to discover local specialties. Another point of interest is the clan houses in this area, which you can visit to marvel in traditional Chinese architectures. Choo Chay Keong Temple is also located in this area; the streets around it is perfect for an impromptu photo session! 📸
George Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within a short walk, you can visit Khoo Kongsi as well. It is a clan house and Chinese temples. In fact, it is the largest Hokkien clanhouse in Malaysia!
2. Street Art!
Street art and murals from various artists is one of tourists’ favorite (and free!) pastimes when visiting Georgetown. Wall paintings and steel sculptures can be found in many places, giving a vibrant and playful feel.
Ernet Zacharevic’s art are cultural landmarks in Penang. It is a mix of mural paintings and real-life 3D objects. Often compared to Banksy, a lot of his works potrays themes such as loss of innocence, urbanization, and freedom.
Some of his most famous street art are Kids on a Bicycle and Boy on a Motorbike, both created by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. Head to this blog if you’d like to see more art in the streets of George Town!
3. Penang Hill
To be completely honest, Penang Hill is my favorite place in Penang! There are many hiking trails to walk on in the early mornings, plenty of nature, and an option to chill at the nearby Botanic Gardens to refresh.
If you would like to take your family to learn more about the rainforest, the Habitat Penang Hill is where you should go! There is a Masjid and a Hindu temple at the top as well.
Most people take the funicular railway for a 15-minute trip to the top of the hill- but be forewarned that it can get very, very crowded with incredibly long wait times on the weekends.
I went on a weekday at around 8 am, and there was practically no queues. I definitely recommend you to schedule an early morning trip between Monday – Thursday. What is on top of the hill, you ask? They have a restaurant, gallery, bakery-café, and amazing views. You definitely won’t regret going up there, the wonderful view will take your breath away!
4. Cheong Fatt Tze, Blue Mansion
The Blue Mansion is the former home of the richest man in Malaya from way back then, Cheong Fatt Tze. A Hakka Chinese migrating to find fortune, he definitely made his mark in South East Asia. He was a famous industrialist of his time, the Rockefeller of China. The mahjong scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians was also filmed in this mansion!
His Penang house had since been restored after his death, and opened to the public as a hotel. Tours are available at 11 am and 2 pm and spots are limited. Make sure to book a spot online for RM 25 beforehand to see the feng shui-filled home of Cheong Fatt Tze and his three (out of seven!) wives.
His nephew, Tjong A Fie, resided in Medan and also lived in an opulent mansion. If you have the chance to travel to Medan, Indonesia, check out the shadows of similar architectures in both mansions.
5. Clan Jetties
The Clan Jetties are floating villages above the sea, constructed for 19th century Chinese clans whose main profession involves the ocean. There are different piers corresponding to the different clan names: Chew Jetty, Tan Jetty, Lee Jetty, Yeoh Jetty, Lim Jetty, and finally Mixed Clan Jetty. The last one was constructed for various clan members, hence the name.
Most of the younger generation has relocated away from the jetties, but it is still gives an authentic look into what it took for pioneering Chinese migrants to survive. They had to leave China to find a way to survive facing poverty, political unrest, or famine. As a way to strengthen the bond within the same family name, they created these clan jetties to prosper economically. Different clans specialize in certain lines of work, such as fishing or unloading ships.
Chew Jetty is the most famous and touristy out of all of them, with many shops and an air-conditioned café along its length. Each clan jetty, interestingly, has its own temples with different deities they worship. Lastly, keep in mind that these are actual homes of real people! It is interesting to see snippets of their daily lives.
6. Batu Ferringhi Beach
If you would like to discover sandy beaches in the area, look no further than the Batu Ferringhi beach. It has some beachfront resorts and a night market that opens at 7 pm every day.
Check out the food stalls at night and get some local food! Seafood is a must try in this area, and you can’t go back without trying some satay.
7. Gurney Plaza
Tired of walking and would like an air-conditioned rest instead? You can head to the Gurney Plaza mall to explore the shops and get something to eat!
There are many restaurants and grocery stores located in the basement, so head there for a culinary adventure. Some restaurants that I personally tried and liked are: The Chicken Rice Shop, ParaThai, and Hoshino Coffee.
8. Hin Bus Depot (Weekend Market)
Hin Bus Depot was another one of my favorite spots! It is a weekend market operating from 11 am to 5 pm. There is a live music performance, plenty of food available, and many artists setting up shop.
It is located in an old bus terminal that has since been converted into an art gallery, and it was so fun to see the many installations they had created in this space.
9. Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists is South East Asia and the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Its construction in 1891 was sponsored by 5 of Penang’s most successful businessmen at the time, which included Mr. Cheong Fatt Tze of the Blue Mansion!
It is most famous for Ban Po Thar, its 7-story pagoda with 10,000 Buddha statues made out of marble and bronze. It is free to enter, but you’d have to pay fees to climb the pagoda or ride the cable car to the Guan Yin statue.
After your visit, don’t forget to head to Sister’s Curry Mee in Ayer Itam to get a delicious bowl of curry noodles.
What should I eat in Penang?
This area is most famous for its hawker food- especially its Char Kway Teow! Penang-style char kway teow is famous all around the globe for its smokiness, richly savory, and intense flavor. The textures have an amazing contrast: chewy flat rice noodles, charred eggs, smoky seafood, and briny cockles.
But one cannot subsist on char kway teow alone, unless you want to stay longer to treat your heart *knocks on wood*. Here are the places you should visit to get your yummy food fix!
1. Hawker Centers / Night Markets
The one place you definitely should visit is the hawker center! There are many spots in Penang, so you can take your pick. Some of the most famous ones are Chulia Street Hawker Food, New Lane Hawker Center, and Gurney Drive Hawker Center. In these market streets you get the most bang for your buck, and the flavors are simply heavenly!
Do remember though, that if you choose to sit at a table you’d have to purchase a drink from the drink vendor for that table. You have to order at least one drink- it’s one of the things that surprised us!
Travel tips: The best char kway teow (fried flat rice noodles) I had was in New Lane Street Foodstalls! It has a long line though, be prepared to queue. 😋
2. Morning Markets
Morning markets are great places to get breakfast! They usually have kopitiam-style breakfast and plenty more. Don’t forget to order some kaya toast and dip them in half-boiled egg.
Also get the Kopi O, roti canai, or teh tarik, and your breakfast is complete. I went to Cecil Street Market, and the colorful nyonya kuihs definitely caught my attention- don’t forget to get some and thank me later! 😉
3. Famous Restaurants
If you don’t want to wait in a long line, you’d be better off hitting up the hawker centers or the markets! Some famous joints in Penang that I went to were Teksen Restaurant, Toh Soon Café, and Tiger Char Kway Teow.
Teksen Restaurant has a tasty double-roasted pork dish & stir fried morning glory with shrimp and sambal! You can also head down the street to get Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul for a refreshingly sweet dessert. I really liked them, but I might not come back if the lines are too long.
4. Nasi Kandar
This reminds me of Nasi Padang from Indonesia but with a mish mash of Indian and Malay style dishes! A wonderful result of the booming spice trade in the old days, nasi kandar has become one of my best food finds of the year.
You pick the dishes you’d like the most and pay according to your choices. It has plenty of spice, coconut milk, and strong flavors. People usually get their ayam goreng (fried chicken) and a choice of veggies, but there are plenty of options! Some famous places: Deen’s Maju (be prepared to queue), Nasi Kandar Beratur, and Hameediyah Restaurant.
Travel tips: Seafood is usually incredibly expensive at these types of establishments, be forewarned! Also, get kuah campur on top of your rice. You won’t regret it!
5. Cafés
Penang is full of aesthetic cafés! Some cafés that caught my eye were The Founders Hutton, NORM, and Narrow Marrow. Perfect for a little break in between all the walking.
How do I get around?
Personally I used the Grab app to get around! It is the most convenient choice for 2 or more people. You can connect it to your Visa or Mastercard credit card and it is a fairly cheap way to get around.
There are trishaws available around Armenian Street as well, and the knowledgeable uncles will show you around town. It is a novel way to visit all the points of interest, and you can ask all the questions to a local.
For a cheaper way to get around, your best option is to take public transport: the bus! Use the Rapid Penang to travel, though I find Grab much more convenient..
I hope you enjoyed this article, it would really help me if you can share or comment below! Have a great holiday 💕
P.S.: If you are heading to South East Asia and planning to visit Indonesia as well, read up on the apps you should download before your trip and my Bali destination guide!
Watch my Penang diary on TikTok!
@principessadiaries It’s so hot i need another chendul! 🍧 #penangfood #penang #malaysiatrending #whatieatinaday ♬ How`s Your Day – aAp Vision
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