A Memorable Holiday in Penang Island

In October 2023, my friends and I made a holiday visit to Penang Island. On this occasion, I will tell you about the most memorable tourist attractions in this Southeast Asian country.

As a result, I am currently on vacation with three other friends, even though I typically travel alone.

Learn some things about Penang.

It is recommended that you become familiar with Penang first before proceeding with the program. Where can one find Penang?

Penang is a federated state in Malaysia that may be found in the northwest corner of the peninsula that makes up Malaysia.

The portion of Penang located on the mainland is called Seberang Perai, and the part found on the island is referred to as Penang.

Georgetown, located on the island, is the name of the city that serves as the capital of Penang.

Most of Penang's well-known tourist destinations are on the island or in Georgetown.

Famous Tourist Attractions

Penang, a nation-state, rivals Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur regarding tourism and natural splendour. The capital of Penang Island, Seberang Perai, is situated on the opposite side of the island from Penang Island. Penang and Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah are the bridges linking these points in time.

Penang's singularity extends beyond it. Other specialities exist in Penang.

Penang, Malaysia, is a gastronomic sanctuary; therefore, it is prudent to be well-informed before your trip there. As you are aware, history is fascinating.

10 Tourist Attractions in Penang

Malaysian Penang is a charming city in its own right. There are lots of entertaining tourist activities in this city. If this city is one of the top travel destinations for visitors from overseas, it is alright.

This city is a good option for those looking to vacation in Malaysia in a distinct setting. Try some new tourist attractions to liven up your vacation.

You can discover a lot of Penang's tourist sites. You begin with walking through the city centre and then on to nature tourism. These are suggested tourist activities in Penang that you can partake in.

Take a Pedicab to Get to Georgetown.

The first thing you can do when visiting Penang is use a becak to navigate Georgetown. Penang's metropolitan core, Georgetown, is constantly bustling with visitors.

"Penang" originates from the Malay word "Pinang," denoting an areca nut tree. King George III, the monarch of England, was honoured with the eponymous moniker George Town, which serves as the capital of Penang.

Frans Light, an Englishman, reportedly established George Town by propelling a silver coin-filled canon into the forest, as reported by Wonderful Malaysia. Encouragement of employees is essential for the efficient operation of construction in George Town.

It is well-known for its hawker cuisine and street food centre.

Due to the abundance of street food vendors, also referred to as hawker cuisine, Penang is considered a culinary paradise in Malaysia. Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Thai influences merge to create the cuisine of Penang.

Nasi Lemak, Air Itam Sister Curry Mee, Char Koay Teow, Penang Road Teochew Cendol, and Hokkien Mee are all Penang specialities that you must sample. Ask whether the menu is halal before making a purchase decision.

The Upside Down Museum Penang

"The Upside Down Museum Penang" provides a photographic concept of an entirely inverted chamber. Why is every piece of furniture that should be positioned at the lowermost level, including sofas, tables, chairs, and carpets, currently arranged at the uppermost level? These objects were all purposefully adhered to the surface.

Consequently, when a guest takes a rotated photograph, the image will appear inverted, as if the subject were adhering to the residence's ceiling.

It is renowned for being the first museum in the world to offer inversions at various angles, including side-to-side, 90-degree, and other inversions. The living room, bedroom, kitchen, study, piano room, and the design of different inverted spaces such as coffee shops, shops, and Penang heritage streetscapes have all displayed boundless creativity.

The method of the inverted museum is entirely anti-gravity, and all the items in the museum are upside down. You can enjoy the beautiful sensation of "flying over the eaves" here, record the fantastic world of whimsy, and snap amusing and exciting pictures.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si Temple, situated near Air Itam, Penang, has breathtaking sea vistas and is renowned as one of the island's prominent temples. The Temple serves as a significant pilgrimage destination for Buddhists hailing from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, and other nations in Southeast Asia.

The focal point of the complex is the striking Rama VI Pagoda, a 7-story structure adorned with 10,000 Buddha images made of marble and bronze. Additionally, there is a 302-meter bronze statue of Guan Yin, the deity known as the Goddess of Mercy.

The integration of Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada, and ancient Chinese rituals is evident in the cohesive synthesis of temple construction, works of art, and the daily practices of the community.

The Temple has significant commercialization since stores are on every floor and within the main temple complex, offering a wide range of religious merchandise.

Penang Hill

The next favourite tourist destination in Penang is Penang Hill. Being one of the tourist icons in Penang, Penang Hill offers views of Penang Island from a height. Toppers can use cable car transportation to reach the top, and a viewing deck is available at the top of the hill.

Penang Hill is a mandatory tourist destination in Penang, Malaysia. In addition to its scenic beauty, natural tourism also provides the opportunity to traverse the world's longest 2-span stressed ribbon bridge, which affords panoramic vistas of the tropical rainforest.

Penang Hill, often called Bukit Bendera, is a prominent summit in Penang flanked by various other hills, including Western Hill. To access this Penang tourist destination, one can travel a distance of around 9 kilometres by car from George Town.

Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram)

The Reclining Buddha Temple, commonly called Wat Chayamangkalaram, is locally recognized as the Sleeping Buddha. This Temple is a renowned Thai temple, famous for its colossal reclining Buddha statue, adorned with gold plating, and measures an impressive 33 meters long.

It is among the largest globally accessible. The construction of this Temple commenced in 1845. Queen Victoria graciously granted it to the Thai populace on a five-acre parcel of land. Pra Buddhachaiya Mongkul, also called the reclining Buddha, depicts the Buddha during his passing. It functions as a representation of complete serenity and detachment from worldly affairs.

Upon arrival at the temple entrance, you will encounter two statues. Kindly remove your footwear while entering the shrine. There were numerous niches all around the reclined Buddha. Which serve as repositories for the ashes of devotees—providing a last resting place for the ashes of religiously devoted individuals and housing the cremated remains of devout individuals. Adjacent to the Temple is a little Thai town and a Thai cemetery.

It also has 12 idols that reflect the animals in the Chinese zodiac. You could take a picture with the Reclining Buddha because it is a beautiful sight. Visitors are allowed to do so. Remember to take your shoes off before entering the Temple, and be polite to the monks doing their religious tasks there.

Commercial and Street Food

Penang has a diverse selection of hotels, ranging from low-cost motels to luxurious five-star establishments. Gurney has a variety of reasonably priced and opulent hotels (Persiaran Gurney).

Due to its central location in Penang, most tourists schedule a stay there. Gurney Plaza, a well-known retail centre featuring high-end brands, is only a short distance away. Also close by is the famous Gurney Drive, which serves delicious regional cuisine. The public will be able to access Gurney Paragon during the following few years. Gurney Paragon has residential towers, an office tower, and a commercial centre.

Entopia Penang

The largest butterfly park in Southeast Asia is called Entopia Penang. About 15,000 butterflies of 50 species are present. In addition to butterflies, this chamber features 200 varieties of vegetation and 150 different species of fauna designed to give the impression that you are outside.

It is not unexpected that numerous international students frequently visit Entopia as a research venue and a popular tourist site.

Entopia is a giant tropical garden with a kaleidoscope of butterflies, insects, reptiles, and other plants.

Here, tourists can see directly various kinds of insects in nature. This place is suitable for educating children about several types of insects.

Entopia is located on Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Also read: 5 festivals in Penang towards the end of 2023, there will be a marathon. Tourists can visit the location every day except Wednesday from 09.00 to 18.00 local time.

Tropical Spice Garden

At this eco-friendly tourist destination, discover the secret spices of Malaysian cuisine while indulging in the revitalizing scent of flora.

The setting, designed to imitate a forest, allows you to inhale the distinct scent of over 100 herbs and spices. Take time to inhale the sweet smell of ginger as you walk around the palm trees, ferns, and other exotic flora. You can also try rubbing your fingertips against the leaves of the spicy curry plant.

Every trip to Penang is complete with a day's visit to the Tropical Spice Garden, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. This park has an area of 8 hectares, lush and perfected with a landscape inhabited by more than 500 species of flora and fauna!

You can choose a guided tour or an audio tour. However, whatever you choose, you will learn something new and see a plant or two you've never seen before! After walking through the gardens, you can even visit the cafe overlooking the Malacca Strait and have the opportunity to sit back and admire the surrounding environment.

Before you leave, stop by the gift shop to take home some authentic Malaysian handicrafts or buy premium spice therapy spa products. It is a souvenir that you must bring home from Tropical Spice Garden.

Additionally, since you will walk often and the path can occasionally be a little hilly, you should select comfortable shoes. Tropical Spice Garden is near Batu Ferranghi and the Balang Bay coast. There is an admission fee and extra charges for tours and cookery classes. The park is open daily.

Kerachut Beach

The sand on the beach is white. The sea floor is sandy, and the descent is level. There are hardly any waves in the calm sea. Compared to other beaches, this one is relatively close to the park entrance, which accounts for its high volume of visitors.

Camping areas with access to showers and restrooms are available. Kerachut is a great place to go swimming, sunning, scuba diving, snorkelling, or diving. The underwater world's diversity and beauty set coastal waters apart. Laminarias, gorgon coral shrubs, and vibrant tropical fish are visible.

One of the primary tourist destinations in the reserve is a meromictic lake with two distinct layers of water that do not mix, located close to the shore of Kerachut. Warm seawater seeping from the ocean lies below, while freshwater from a coastal source, which is colder, lies above.

Olive and green sea turtles crawl to the sand in Kerachut from September to February to lay their eggs. Different varieties of monkeys live in the forest as it gets closer to the coast, along with small lizards, birds, and insects. There's a turtle nursery with different age and size turtles in it.

Street of Harmony

It is okay to stop by the Street of Harmony on Jalan Kapitan Keling if you are in Penang. In the city of Penang, this boulevard serves as a representation of religious harmony and tolerance.

We can find various places of worship, including the Kapitan Keling Mosque, St. George, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia, and Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu Temple in Penang.

We can also find Little India near the Street of Harmony location.

Many people deal in foreign currency around here. These individuals collect old cash and coins, so if you have any old coins in your pocket, you must be strategic about selling them.

A Residence That Is Not a Hotel

Travelling everywhere, we always think about where to live, but the writer and his companions have a slightly different notion from many people's plans. As a result, we continued to hunt for an adequate location to live, and eventually, we met in Seberang Prai, which is outside of Penang.

Because one of our travelling companions already had a sizable social network in the region, we got housing in a very comfortable apartment there.

We always use a car specially rented for us at RM30 per hour. We have access to a large number of different modes of transportation. Around eight in the morning, we were set to leave for Penang in search of tourist attractions that tourists from other countries typically visit.

In contrast to our experiences in Australia and New Zealand, readers who are serious about making a vacation to Penang memorable for all the right reasons can do so without spending excessive money. It is much less expensive and a great deal of fun.

In addition, I will also explain the problem of shopping places; several places in Seberang Prai have seen a lot of sluggishness with shops without customers; maybe this is also due to the opening of new homes, so old shopping places are abandoned by customers, because of human development, which could be faster in that area.

This trip was very memorable and opened our eyes wide about developments in the Penang area.