Penang Island – Malaysia in a (coco)nutshell
Penang is a Malaysian island in the Andaman Sea connected with the mainland by two road bridges. It’s an amazing, beautiful, exotic gem, with picturesque hills, tropical flora, and a fascinating history ❤️
George Town
The capital is the island’s essence, a cradle of the local culture – the city center is genuine heritage site offering superior food. It’s really worth your while, at least for a few days. Penang Hill is a great landmark overlooking the panoramic vistas of the island, the sea, and the mainland. The cable car ride up its steep slopes is a great attraction for kids! The top is a conservation area protecting a dense, tropical jungle, home to hundreds of little monkeys. While on a walk along the coastline in George Town we experienced a real torrential tropical rain, which shouldn’t be surprising given the hot and humid climate of that place. The Penang National Park – a paradise for the fans of tropical fauna and flora, as well as beach bums longing for blissful chill, with plenty of exotic beaches – is just a 30-minute drive away.
Malaysian art and culture
The city’s rich history can be seen everywhere, with meanders of cultural and religious influences and events comprising it. It is connected not only with its Asian neighbors, but also with the British Empire. The local temples are impressive, especially the Buddhist Kek Lok Si Temple. Located at Air Itam Hill, surrounded by thick exotic flora, it is in fact the biggest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Penang is artistic, so don’t miss out on the local craftsmanship and theater!
Architecture and murals
The capital city is eclectic, with completely historic districts as well as hotels scattered across the city. Colonial architecture with its characteristic Victorian houses blends nicely with skyscrapers – a highly seductive mix! In recent years George Town has become quite famous for its beautiful murals; mural-hunting is a great idea for an interesting walk (an absorbing and entertaining task for kids 😉 ). I’m no expert or great fan of street art, but I find George Town’s murals breathtaking – especially those depicting children (well, I love kids!), characterized by original ideas and composition. The murals mostly depict the locals’ everyday life, and were painted by the Latvian artist, Ernest Zacharevic – now a local resident himself.
The food…
If you enjoy variety in food, you will find Penang truly mouth-watering. From local, Malaysian dishes to modern fusion cuisine, the food there is top-notch. Due to a large Chinese community, Chinese food is also easily available. Little India street food – banana leaf rice, or the simple, fresh, hot local bread (and who doesn’t love bread!?) able to sustain even the pickiest little eaters – is also worth giving a try. Penang is a food capital of Malaysia catering for all tastes ❤️
Penang is among my top three places in Malaysia. George Town is a fascinating, lively city whose tropical climate and atmosphere make it irresistible. Ready to plan your exotic trip? ❤️