Cush Travel Blog

Start Planning Your Next Trip ➡

  • Destinations
    • Asia
      • Southeast Asia
        • Brunei
        • Cambodia
          • Phnom Penh
          • Siem Reap
          • Sihanoukville
        • Indonesia
          • Bali
          • Bandung
          • Batam
          • Jakarta
          • Lombok
          • Medan
          • Surabaya
          • Yogyakarta
        • Laos
          • Luang Prabang
          • Vientiane
        • Malaysia
          • Kota Kinabalu
          • Kuala Lumpur
          • Langkawi
          • Malacca | Melaka
          • Pangkor Island
          • Penang
        • Myanmar
        • Philippines
          • Baguio
          • Bohol
          • Boracay
          • Cebu
          • Davao
          • Manila
          • Palawan
          • Puerto Galera
          • Puerto Princesa
          • Subic
          • Tagaytay
        • Singapore
        • Thailand
          • Bangkok
          • Chiang Mai
          • Hua Hin – Cha-am
          • Krabi
          • Pattaya
          • Phuket
          • Samui
        • Vietnam
          • Hanoi
          • Ho Chi Minh
          • Hoi An
          • Hue
          • Nha Trang
      • South Asia
        • India
          • Agra
          • Bangalore
          • Bangladesh
          • Calcutta
          • Chennai
          • Goa
          • Jaipur
          • Jodhpur
          • Kochi
          • Mumbai
          • New Delhi
          • Srinagar
          • Udaipur
          • Varanasi
        • Maldives
        • Nepal
          • Kathmandu
        • Pakistan
        • Sri Lanka
      • Middle East
        • Bahrain
        • Israel
          • Eilat
          • Jerusalem
        • Jordan
          • Amman
          • Aqaba
        • Kuwait
        • Lebanon
          • Jounieh
        • Oman
        • Saudi Arabia
          • Al Khobar
          • Jeddah
        • United Arab Emirates
          • Dubai
      • East Asia
        • Korea
          • Busan
          • Incheon
          • Jeju-do
          • Seoul
        • Macau
        • Taiwan
          • Chiayi
          • Hsinchu
          • Hualien
          • Kaohsiung
          • Nantou
          • Taichung
          • Tainan
          • Taipei
          • Taoyuan
          • Yilan
      • Central Asia
        • Kazakhstan
    • Europe
      • Azerbaijan
      • Georgia
      • Italy
    • Pacific
      • Fiji
      • Guam
      • Papua New Guinea
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • RSS
  • Destinations
    • Asia
      • Southeast Asia
        • Brunei
        • Cambodia
          • Phnom Penh
          • Siem Reap
          • Sihanoukville
        • Indonesia
          • Bali
          • Bandung
          • Batam
          • Jakarta
          • Lombok
          • Medan
          • Surabaya
          • Yogyakarta
        • Laos
          • Luang Prabang
          • Vientiane
        • Malaysia
          • Kota Kinabalu
          • Kuala Lumpur
          • Langkawi
          • Malacca | Melaka
          • Pangkor Island
          • Penang
        • Myanmar
        • Philippines
          • Baguio
          • Bohol
          • Boracay
          • Cebu
          • Davao
          • Manila
          • Palawan
          • Puerto Galera
          • Puerto Princesa
          • Subic
          • Tagaytay
        • Singapore
        • Thailand
          • Bangkok
          • Chiang Mai
          • Hua Hin – Cha-am
          • Krabi
          • Pattaya
          • Phuket
          • Samui
        • Vietnam
          • Hanoi
          • Ho Chi Minh
          • Hoi An
          • Hue
          • Nha Trang
      • South Asia
        • India
          • Agra
          • Bangalore
          • Bangladesh
          • Calcutta
          • Chennai
          • Goa
          • Jaipur
          • Jodhpur
          • Kochi
          • Mumbai
          • New Delhi
          • Srinagar
          • Udaipur
          • Varanasi
        • Maldives
        • Nepal
          • Kathmandu
        • Pakistan
        • Sri Lanka
      • Middle East
        • Bahrain
        • Israel
          • Eilat
          • Jerusalem
        • Jordan
          • Amman
          • Aqaba
        • Kuwait
        • Lebanon
          • Jounieh
        • Oman
        • Saudi Arabia
          • Al Khobar
          • Jeddah
        • United Arab Emirates
          • Dubai
      • East Asia
        • Korea
          • Busan
          • Incheon
          • Jeju-do
          • Seoul
        • Macau
        • Taiwan
          • Chiayi
          • Hsinchu
          • Hualien
          • Kaohsiung
          • Nantou
          • Taichung
          • Tainan
          • Taipei
          • Taoyuan
          • Yilan
      • Central Asia
        • Kazakhstan
    • Europe
      • Azerbaijan
      • Georgia
      • Italy
    • Pacific
      • Fiji
      • Guam
      • Papua New Guinea
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • RSS
You Are Here: CushTravel > Asia > Southeast Asia > Malaysia > Penang

Penang

Penang Island has long been one of Malaysia’s major tourist draws, with such illustrious names as Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and Queen Elizabeth II herself on its tourist list. This lovely island in the tropics is a fascinating location to visit, a place so steeped in history that whole streets exist as testament to times long past, yet also a place where the enjoyments of today are at their best, with the island’s shopping and modern dining experiences among the best in all of Asia. Penang is a place full of answers for the eager tourist—the only question he really has to ask is, “Where do I start?”

One can start with Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands as one of the most charming memorials to the country’s colonial past, even while managing to keep the thrumming energy of The Now animating its quaintly antique veins. Indeed, half the attractions of Penang are in Georgetown, where one may see such sights as the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and the Wat Chaiyamangalaram—the latter also housing another attraction in its own right, the 33-metre reclining Buddha.

Georgetown’s success as a tourist spot has always been in its ability to please everyone, though, so don’t be too quick to think it a mere memorial of olden times. This is a place where you can go straight from walking whole streets of preserved colonial houses and shopfronts, then turn a corner and find yourself in a hip urban district populated with modern clubs and bars.

Penang on the whole is a smorgasbord of tourist experiences. From the inland sights in Georgetown and the Penang National Park (which is a superb place for trekkers, by the way), one can easily migrate to the coastline fun always happening around Batu Ferringhi. Batu Ferringhi, actually, is another of the must-visit spots on the island. This is the most developed of all the coastline hangouts and as such one of the most exciting locations here. Batu Ferringhi is all about white sands and tropical waters bordered by posh resorts and hotels—and with so many competing tourist establishments in the same area, you can expect lodging prices to stay reasonable. And when you put that sort of economic reasonability with the tourist appeal of this place, how can you stay away? Penang is definitely one of the places to see in Malaysia—perhaps even, some may say, THE place to see.

Penang Butterfly Farm: a First of Its Kind in Malaysia

January 10, 2014 By Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Penang is many things to many people. It is an industrialized modern city as it is the home of leading Malay historical and cultural landmarks and natural resources. It has a number of botanical gardens and interesting parks, which include Penang National Park, Penang Hill, and the Tropical Fruit Farm, just to mention a few. A simple yet unique park that contents itself in the sidelines is the Penang Butterfly Farm. It caters to a very specific group of people and enthusiasts, but to those who have bothered to come simply for the experience has gained a lot of exciting insights into the lives of butterflies.

Penang Butterfly Farm

Penang Butterfly Farm – Malaysia

Located on Jalan Teluk Bahang, the butterfly sanctuary is home to thousands of tropical butterflies that freely flutter around to the delight of visitors. It is the first of its kind in Malaysia. Managers of this unique farm believe that it is much more than just a tourist destination. The farm is a living museum whose main goal is to educate the public and conduct research in the care, preservation and protection of butterflies. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Penang Tagged With: malaysia, penang butterfly farm

Iconic Penang Bridge: The Longest Bridge in Malaysia

January 10, 2014 By Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Along the north-western coast of the Malaysian Peninsula is the charming island of Penang. It is separated from Seberang Perai in the mainland and joined together by one iconic landmark, Penang Bridge. Most of the leading tourist destinations associated with Penang, such as Georgetown, Penang Islamic Museum and the many ancient temples, mosques and cathedrals, are in the island, and so tourists need to cross the narrow 3-km channel to truly experience the beauty of Penang. The most practical choice is a short ferry ride, but clearly the more picturesque is driving over historic Penang Bridge.

Penang Bridge

Penang Bridge – Malaysia

With a total span of 13.5 km, Penang Bridge is clearly the longest bridge in Malaysia, the fourth longest in Asia and the sixth in the world. The views of the bridge from the city and of the city from the bridge are stunning, especially at nights when the city and bridge come alive with a spectacular display of lights. People driving across could not help but use the emergency stop areas to spend a few moments enjoying the view and snap some photos. Going to the island, a toll is charged: RM 1.40 for motorcycles, RM 7.00 for cars, and RM 12.00 for buses. Driving back to the mainland is toll-free. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Penang Tagged With: malaysia, penang, penang bridge

Appreciate Mother Nature at Penang Botanic Gardens

January 10, 2014 By Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Penang is always sunny, except for the wet months from August to October. Mostly, the weather is bright and cheerful, which makes Penang the perfect place to grow rich colorful gardens. Penang Botanic Gardens is a 30-hectare public park that is made up of several gardens, featuring different types of flora and fauna. In the middle of the gardens is a waterfall, which is why the park is also called “Waterfall Gardens”. Sadly, however, the green foliage overgrowth has now covered the cascading water, and today the waterfall is restricted to tourists.

Penang Botanic Gardens

Penang Botanic Gardens – Malaysia

The tranquil Penang Botanic Gardens is covered with lush rainforests and greenery. People come here to relax, stroll around, jog, trek, take a breath of fresh air and appreciate the beauty of nature. Found on Jalan Kebun Bunga, the gardens are open every day to the public. Admission is absolutely free. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Penang Tagged With: malaysia, penang, penang botanic gardens

Visit Kek Lok Si and other Penang Temples

January 10, 2014 By Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Penang enjoys a prominent status among other tourist destinations in Malaysia. Located on the Malay Peninsula’s northwestern side, Penang is Malaysia’s second smallest state, yet one of the most successful in terms of economy, tourism and preservation of national heritage. There are plenty of ancient landmarks and structures that make Penang truly special, and some of them are Kek Lok Si and other Penang temples.

Kek Lok Si in Penang

Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang – Malaysia

Also known as the “Temple of Supreme Bliss”, Kek Lok Si is found on top of Ayer Itam hills, majestically overlooking the world below it. It is one of the most beautiful, frequently visited and historically significant temples in Penang. It was established by a devout Buddhist named Beow Lean more than a century ago as a retreat area for Buddhist monks and hoping to spread the teachings of Buddha among the island natives. It was constructed from 1891 to 1905 and Beow Lean became its first chief monk. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Penang Tagged With: kek lok si and other penang temples, malaysia, penang

Gurney Plaza, the Second Largest Mall in Penang

January 10, 2014 By Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

When in Penang, Malaysia, visit Gurney Plaza for your shopping needs. Located at the famed Gurney Drive, this leading shopping mall in this part of the world is an upscale department store, the second largest in the city, and home of the 12-screen Golden Screen Cinemas with THX auditoriums. This is the largest cinema complex in northern Malaysia. Gurney Plaza’s original structure was completed in 2001, but in November 2008, a new wing was constructed facing Kelawai Road. The new 7-storey wing has 83 new shops sprawled in a 14,000-square-meter area and 800 new parking bays. (The largest mall in Penang is Queensbay Mall.)

Gurney Plaza in Penang

Gurney Plaza in Penang – Malaysia

Gurney Drive is a seafront promenade in Georgetown, Penang. It is a popular hangout area for locals, expats and tourists, particularly the many local food stalls along the seafront that get very crowded in the evening. People flock to get a taste of “hawker food”. The Gurney area is owned by the Singapore-based CapitaLand Company and was named in 1952 after Henry Gurney, the British High Commissioner in Malaya during that time. Found along the promenade are Gurney Park Condominium, Millennium Towers, The Regency, Gurney Resort Hotel, and of course, the Plaza. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Penang Tagged With: gurney plaza, malaysia, penang

Wat Chaiyamangalaram, an Important Thai Temple in Malaysia

January 10, 2014 By Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Georgetown in Penang is home to a number of 19th-century mosques, cathedrals and temples. One of the most frequently visited temples is Wat Chaiyamangalaram. It is a mouthful, which is why Wat Chaiyamangalaram is referred to by many as “Wat Chaiya” for short. Wat Chaiya is a Thai temple; “wat” in Thai simply means “temple”.

Wat Chaiyamangalaram in Penang

Wat Chaiyamangalaram in Penang – Malaysia

Found near the Pulau Tikus area, Wat Chaiya is the second most popular temple in Penang, next to Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple. This Thai temple is near other interesting places of worship, such as the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple and Wat Buppharam, another Thai temple that is also known as “Temple of the Lifting Buddha”. Tourists normally visit these temples together in order to compare and contrast Thai and Burmese cultures and architectures, since the two are often mistaken from each other. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Penang Tagged With: malaysia, penang, wat chaiyamangalaram

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »

OTHER THINGS ABOUT Penang

The Penang Toy Museum for the Young and Young at Heart

3 Reasons for Cycling in Penang

Shopping in Penang: A Number of Exciting Options

Where to Play Golf in Penang

Swimming and Other Water Sports in Penang

Where Next?

Like Us on Facebook

Online Prepaid Reload for Digi, Celcom, Hotlink Maxis Malaysia

Tweet!

Tweet

Plus!

Like!

Copyright © 2018 . CushTravel.com Travel Blog . Privacy . Terms . Sitemap | travel blogs blog