Penang Island, Malaysia: our review, photos, useful information, attractions, prices. What to choose Penang or Langkawi? Attractions and beach vacations on penang, malaysia malaysia penang island on the map

Isle Penang  - An island in northwestern Malaysia, located a few kilometers from the mainland and connected to it by two bridges. Penang includes not only the island itself, but also part of the mainland. The name of the island of Penang is sometimes written through the letter "e", and sometimes through "and". On a Google map, the island is called Pinang, but I’m more likely to see the spelling (through “e”).

Penang or Penang Island, Malaysia

The island of Penang is well acquainted with many Thai winterers and long-livers, because it is here that people come for a visa, from other cities in Thailand. Visa workers mainly come to Penang Island for only 2-3 days (just to have time to submit documents and pick up a passport with a visa), but numerous (especially Chinese () tourists stay on Penang for a longer period 🙂

We stayed on the island of Penang for only a few days, and examined some of the sights of Penang, so the review in this article is from the point of view of an ordinary tourist, and not a long-liver. We did not look for large supermarkets and good markets, did not try to save on food, travel around the island and all sorts of little things. And we were very unlucky: we arrived in Penang during a period of severe smog from Indonesian fires (who remembers it was also able to do this at that time), which not only had terrible visibility and all the landscapes were in a haze, and walking around the city was very difficult: hot and stuffy.

Penang Island: general information

Until 1786, Penang belonged to Sultan Kedah and was uninhabited, then went to the British, who settled on the island for many years: Penang remained under British control until 1957. Since 1963, the island became part of Malaysia. Now Penang is one of the largest islands in Malaysia and one of the most densely populated areas of the country (after Kuala Lumpur).

The sphere of tourism and the hotel industry is very developed on Penang: not only tourists come to the island to relax, often large international conferences and business forums are held on Penang. In addition to tourism, the Penang electronic industry is developed, there are offices of large electronic companies. And, of course, rice, fruits, and rubber are grown on the island. Penang is also a significant trading center of Malaysia.

The bulk of the population of Penang Island are Chinese, Indians and Malaysians. So in the city, in addition to mosques, you can see Chinese, Hindu and even Catholic churches! And there is a huge selection of cafes of Chinese and Indian cuisine.

The central and northern part of Penang Island is covered with jungle, in the north there is a national park and the best beaches of the island. The capital of Penang is Georgetown, located in the east of the island.

Penang is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The first 13.5 km long bridge was opened in 1985 and for a long time remained one of the longest bridges in the world and the longest in Asia. This Penang bridge became the hallmark of Penang and is even depicted on the coat of arms of the island. In 2014, a new 24-kilometer bridge was opened linking the island and the mainland.

Weather in Penang: seasons and code is better to go to the island

The climate in Penang is hot and humid. There are two periods of the rainy season: September - November and May. But now the climate around the world is changing so rapidly that it is simply impossible to guess what the weather on Penang will be in a certain month. We were on Penang in mid-September. It rained once in a few days. But what a rain! A kind of real tropical rain!

The high season on Penang begins in December and lasts until the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. As I already said, many Chinese live on Penang, so the celebration of all Chinese holidays is held in a big way! Well, Chinese tourists like to visit Penang: in the last year, Chinese tourists have become much more in all cities in Asia, they even got to the backpacker on and in! In 2018, the Chinese New Year will come on February 16, so that the high season will last until the end of February, which means overpriced.

I do not advise visiting Penang during the national Malaysian holidays and during the holidays in local schools. It’s like, but we didn’t really like to see numerous local families with women in black clothes (we got there just during the school holidays).

Penang, how to get there

There is an airport on Penang, so a plane is one of the most convenient and fastest ways to get to Penang 🙂

Buy tickets to Penang

All ways to get to Penang here:

Transport in Penang

The island has well-developed public transport - buses. There is even a free sightseeing bus around Georgetown. You can also rent a car or bike without problems.

Penang Hotels, where to live on the island

Before proceeding with the selection of Penang hotels, I advise you to determine the area of \u200b\u200bresidence. If your main goal is Penang sightseeing or obtaining a Thai visa, then I advise you to stay in Georgetown, if the beach is a measured rest, then on Batu Ferringi beach.

Penang hotels are easy to find and book here:

For longer stays, you can consider renting an apartment through AirBnb.

Penang beaches

Penang beaches are located on the northern part of the island. The most popular and famous batu Ferringhi beach . Along the seashore stretch hotels, shops, numerous restaurants, souvenir shops. A little further towards the mountains there are multi-storey buildings where you can rent an apartment or room.

We arrived at the beach in bad weather, but you can imagine how beautiful it is when the sun is shining! Large high-level hotels stretch along the coast.

But for a beach holiday, I find this Penang beach not  very fit. I will explain why:

1. On Penang Beach there are a lot of Muslim women wrapped in clothes with families: undressing in front of them and swimming, and especially lying and sunbathing in bathing suits, well, I don’t really want to.
2. There are a lot of boats and jet skis in the sea. At Penang Beach, water activities are very popular: riding a banana, a motorcycle or a parachute. I don’t like to swim among the rushing boats.
3. According to rumors, Batu Ferringhi beach was chosen not only by tourists, but by jellyfish. Therefore, in order to avoid burns, many bathe in clothes.
4. Water in the sea is not the cleanest and most transparent ...

The beach on Penang is good for walking, enjoying the sunset, dinner on the beach, but not for swimming.

Video of Batu Ferringhi beach:

Other beaches of Penang:

• Teluk Bahang
• Tanjung Bungah
• Monkey Beach in Penang National Park

Georgetown - the capital of Penang

The city of Georgetown was founded in 1786 and named after the English king George. Georgetown itself is a landmark of Penang and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has preserved ancient houses, temples, mosques. Honestly, having read rave reviews about Georgetown, I hoped to see a nice town, like, but was disappointed ... Georgetown, I was not at all impressed: gray, long distances, traffic jams. Still, of course, the heat affected and could, so maybe I did not want to walk around the city at all.

In the center of Georgetown, the highest building of the island rises - the Komtar tower (235 meters high) (65 floors). At the top of the Komtar tower, on the 58th floor, there is an observation deck and a restaurant.

Komtar Tower is a good landmark, it can be seen from any end of the city 🙂 and next to the tower is a good area to stop for a few days: at the bottom of the Komtar tower there is a bus station, near a bunch of shops, tourist offices and cafes where you can dine cheaply.

Search the streets of Georgetown Street Art. We did not search, we saw only such pictures on the walls:

If you arrived on the island for just a few days and you have a question, what to see on Penang, what sights of Penang to visit in the first place, then I recommend doing this:

Georgetown Attractions

Take a walk around the city of Georgetown, visiting temples and museums at will. Choose:

• Fort Cornwallis
• Khu Kongsey Museum House
• Church of St. George
• Blue house
• Chinatown Chinatown
• Little India Quarter
• Captain Keling Mosque
• Hindu Temple Sri Mariamman
• Chinese Temple of the Goddess of Mercy
• Old Protestant Cemetery
• Chew Jetty - fishing village
• Penang State Museum
• Museum of Glass
• Islamic Museum of Penang
• Koto-cafe 🙂 etc.

In addition to walking around Georgetown, I advise you to set aside a day to visit the two main (in my opinion) Penang sights: and. These two attractions are not far from each other and are easily visited in one day.

Other sights of Penang

• Botanical Garden
• Tropical fruit farm
• Spice garden
• Butterfly park
• Bird Park (on the mainland)
• Thai Buddhist Temple
• Snake temple
• Floating mosque
• Penang National Park

As you can see, there are many sights on Penang, so to visit them all, you need to live on the island for quite a long time. By the way, besides the sights Penang Island is famous for ... nightlife. Yes, it is here that there are many night clubs! I would never have thought that in a Muslim country people hang out 🙂

Shops, shopping and food in Penang

Shopping

In the center of Georgetown there are several shopping centers. I went to Komtar and the nearby Prangin Mall. Frankly, you should not waste time visiting these shopping centers if you have a shopping goal: there is nothing good there, half of the shops are closed, and in those that have things open like ours in the markets, well, such as at the chirgizon in Moscow or the market in next to. In general, some Chinese horror is terrible! The only thing worth visiting in one of these shopping centers is restaurants and coffee houses. Starbucks is located on the ground floor of the Prangin Mall with a delicious coffee 🙂

Next to the next building on the ground floor, we found a Pacific supermarket, where we bought water, fruits, yogurts, cookies and other little things. There, on the street side, is a good cheap Indian restaurant, on the other side of the building is KFC, several decent restaurants, bars and karaoke.

Normal shopping centers are located a little further from the center of Georgetown:

• Gurney Plaza - a huge shopping center on the way to Batu Ferringhi beach
• Queensbay Mall - Located Near Penang Bridge

There are several large Tesco stores on Penang. I think that the Tesco store does not need advertising, everyone knows him well in Thailand.

Food

There is no problem with food on Penang. Penang is said to be the gastronomic capital of Malaysia. In addition to Malaysian cuisine, there are many Indian and Chinese restaurants (I searched everywhere for Chinese dumplings that I liked so much in!).

Food prices are low, it seemed to us that food in a cafe on Penang is cheaper than in Thailand. Freshly squeezed juice is sold everywhere, for only 3 - 5 ringgit (~ 1 dollar). The juice is actually freshly squeezed and without any additives of salt and sugar, as they like to do in Thailand 🙂

We ate several times in an Indian restaurant next to Komtar. I must say that I do not like Indian food, or rather - after a trip to India, I do not like everything Indian 🙂, but they cook well, I liked it 🙂

The cafe is very simple, there are many local dinners. There is no menu, or rather a menu with prices hanging on the wall, but what is written does not make out 🙂 Therefore, we just poked a finger at the dishes we liked. Alex took rice with meat (there is beef and lamb!), And I made cakes with meat gravy. And of course, Indian tea with milk. The first time I wanted to take cold green tea, and they brought me hot black tea with milk. But we liked the tea so much that later it was ordered everywhere in Malaysia (beer in Malaysia is expensive, we washed it down with tea 🙂).

We lived near the Komtar tower and in our area all the cafes closed very early, at 8 o’clock in the evening! On the first evening after a late arrival and checking into a hotel, we found it difficult to find where to have dinner (and the time was only 21:30), since KFC was next to us. Once again, I was glad that we did not make eyes wide with horror at the word fast food and Coca-Cola, as it is fashionable now 🙂 Otherwise I would have to go hungry, and when I'm hungry, I’m very angry 🙂

ATMs and currency exchange in Penang

Before traveling to Malaysia, I read that not all ATMs in Penang accept our cards and that there are very few places in the city where you can withdraw money from a card. Fortunately, near our hotel, in the Prangin Mall, we found a huge Cimb bank branch with ATMs. There they filmed the Malaysian ringgits.

You can exchange currency in any exchanger, there are a lot of them on Penang, but they close very early. If you arrive in Penang late at night, stock up on ringgits in advance!

Below I give some prices on Penang (average prices, tourist, those who find prices lower, well done 🙂)

Penang: housing prices:

Penang: transportation prices

Penang: Attractions Prices

• Visiting Fort Cornwallis - 20 ringgit for adults, 10 for children
• Visit to the Blue House Mansion Museum - 17 ringgit
• Penang Mountain Cable Car - 30 two-way ringgit
• Visiting Penang Hill Owl Museum - 12 ringgit adult ticket, 6 children
• Visit to the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas in the complex Kek Lok Si - 2 ringgit
• Funicular to the Kuan Yin statue in the Kek Lok Si complex - 3 ringgit one way
• A visit to the botanical garden is free
• Tropical Spice Garden - 26 ringgit adult ticket and 15 ringgit for children
• Tropical Fruit Garden - 40 ringgit adults, 30 ringgit children
• Butterfly Farm - 27 ringgit adults, 15 ringgit children
• Bird Park - 38 ringgit adults, 20 ringgit children
• Penang National Park - Free

Penang: food prices

• Bottle of water - 1.5 ringgit
• A pack of cookies in the store - 2 ringgit
• Yogurt - 1.9 ringgit
• A glass of freshly squeezed juice - 3 - 5 ringgit
• A cup of cappuccino in Starbucks - 11.5 ringgit
• Serving of rice with fish in a cafe - 8 ringgit
• The cost of a meal in a simple street cafe is 3 - 8 ringgit
• Chinese dumplings - 3 - 4 ringgit per serving (usually 3 pcs)
• Tasty beef in a decent cafe - 20 - 30 ringgit
• Tasty lamb in a decent cafe - 27 - 30 ringgit
• Soups in a decent cafe - 12 ringgit
• The cost of a dinner for two in a very cheap Indian restaurant is 10 - 15 ringgit
• The cost of a snack in KFC for two is 17 ringgit
• The cost of a dinner for two in a decent cafe is 40 - 70 ringgit

Penang or Langkawi

Very often, tourists, considering one of the islands of Malaysia for vacation, face a choice: what to choose Penang or Langkawi? These two islands are not far from each other and are connected by a sea crossing. Both Penang and Langkawi have an airport where you can fly from Kuala Lumpur for very little money.

Many years ago, I chose my first Malaysian island 🙂 I studied the reports of travelers, read reviews about Penang and Langkawi and chose the island of Langkawi. Now, having visited Penang, I realized that I had made the right choice then 🙂 Still, Langkawi would be more suitable for holidays.

Penang, on the contrary, is not very suitable for a beach holiday (why - see above in the article). But on this island there are so many attractions!

Langkawi is a Duty Free zone, in the huge Duty Free shop you can cheaply buy alcohol, cookies, and chocolate. But with food in a cafe, as far as I remember, in Langkawi it was not very good for me. The only thing I could eat was an expensive grilled fish in beach cafes.

Penang has a gastronomic paradise 🙂 There is a huge selection of food for every taste and budget. Penang is also famous for its nightclubs, and in Langkawi the rest is more like a vacation "in the village of my grandmother."

If you choose an island for a beach holiday, I advise you to choose Langkawi, but Penang Island is perfect for sightseeing holidays and long stays. If it is possible to combine these two islands during the holidays, then I would allocate 30% of the time to Penang, and 70% to Langkawi.

Penang: map of useful places and attractions

The map shows useful places and some sights of Penang

Traveling and tourism in exotic countries do not cease to attract residents of large cities. Malaysia is quite capable of satisfying all the needs of a tourist: it has a wonderful climate, good service and unusual sights. Penang Island is a real gem of the country: magnificent nature, friendly people and the gentle sea will make your vacation unforgettable and comfortable.

Geography

Malaysia is a small state in the Andaman Sea. It is located on several islands and captures a small mainland. To find the Andaman Sea on a map, you need to rush up from the Indian Ocean, there, among countless bays and seas, this geographical object is located. Its waters are washed from all sides by the island (pulau) Penang, which belongs to Malaysia. The island is 25 km long and 15 km wide. Penang is the most developed and settled region of the country. The Penang Bridge connects the mainland and island parts of the state. The territory of the island is a hilly and wooded area. The highest point is the mountain of the same name. The island hosts two cities and several small settlements. Thanks to the booming tourism industry, the island is populated more and more every year. According to the latest census, about 750 thousand people live on the island. 41% are Chinese, 40 are Malays, 10 are Indians.

Economy

Penang, Malaysia, from an economic point of view, is one of the most prosperous regions of the country. In general, Malaysia is a modern country with highly developed technologies and economies; it belongs to the so-called and is considered one of the richest and dynamically growing countries among developing economies.

Penang (Malaysia) exists mainly at the expense of industries such as tourism and agriculture. Palm trees, rubber, almost all kinds of fruits are grown here. The island is rich in forest, therefore, processing and export of wood is an important sector of the economy. If you look at the Andaman Sea on a map, one more important part of the island’s economy will become obvious - this is marine fishing. Warm waters are inhabited by a huge amount of fish and seafood, which Penang is famous for. Malaysia is rich in minerals, the country has its own oil, large deposits of gas, iron and tin ores. Travel and tourism in recent years has become a priority for the development of the economy. So far, the country has not reached the level of development, as, for example, neighboring Indonesia and Thailand, but is striving for this. The island is constantly building new hotels and leisure complexes, an excellent road system has already been created here, and special conditions are being created for entrepreneurs and investors. All this leads to the fact that the tourism area in Penang is constantly growing, there are new opportunities for spending vacations, which entails a steady increase in tourist flow and stable development of the country's economy.

At the end of the 70s, a base was created here which also became the locomotive of the Penang economy. Today, the island has offices of many large companies, such as Intel, Bosch, Motorola. There are several that contribute to the development of various areas of production. The deep-water port of Penang connects it with more than 200 port cities in the world.

The standard of living on the island is quite high, here you will not find poverty and devastation. A very large percentage of the middle class creates the conditions for the improvement of territories and the development of service infrastructure. The island is divided into two administrative units: North-East and South-West Penang.

History

The Andaman Sea region is one of the oldest inhabited corners of the world. Favorable living conditions made these lands a desirable place of residence. Penang (Malaysia) was first mentioned in written sources in the 15th century, in the diary of the Chinese navigator Zhen Ho. He is considered the discoverer of the island, although by this time there was already a developed culture. Already then, active trade relations were established between local residents and Chinese entrepreneurs. The inhabitants of the island consider Zhen Ho to be a local hero, on the island you can see several monuments to him.

In 1592, the British arrived at the island, led by James Lancaster. The name Penang, derived from the name of the local palm tree, was attached to the island in the 18th century, before that it had many names in the languages \u200b\u200bof local residents. In 1786, Francis Light, a British merchant and navigator who worked for the East India Company, essentially occupied the island. At that time, negotiations were underway between Sultan Abdul Mukkaram Shah and the British government on a protectorate over Penang in exchange for military protection from the claims of Burma and Siam. The Sultan also demanded a ransom of Britain in the amount of 30 thousand Spanish dollars. But the negotiations did not end with anything, the British simply occupied the island. Light calls the island by the name of the Prince of Wales. The Sultan made several attempts to return the island, but eventually agreed to a ransom of 6 thousand. Light begins to erect a military fort Cornwallis and lays the first city of Georgetown.

Malaysia in the form of Penang Island remains part of the British Empire until the beginning of the 20th century. For some time, the island played a large role as a trading port, but the advent of the Singapore port has changed everything. Penang became less visible, but at the same time continued to live its own life. In 1826, the island entered the Straits Settlements colony. In 1946, it became part of the Malay Union, then the state of the Malay Federation, in which it gained independence in 1957. In 1963, the island became part of the state of Malaysia as part of Penang.

Climate

Peneng's equatorial climate makes it very comfortable to stay. The average annual temperature on the island is 28 degrees. Water off the coast is in the region of 25-30 degrees. The equatorial climate of the island is characterized by pronounced seasonality. The so-called “dry” period lasts from June to September and from December to March. The rainy season is in April-May and October-November. However, this division is very arbitrary, since precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. Penang rains are common, but they are usually light, it often rains at night, and the sun shines during the day. In mountainous areas the temperature is more moderate, an average of 22 degrees.

Weather in the resort areas of the island throughout the year is quite flat. The temperature fluctuates by no more than 1 degree, the hottest month is May, the average daily temperature is 30 degrees, and rainy days at this time are 8-9, which allows you to plan a vacation at sea in May. The length of daylight hours is on average 8.5 hours, the least of the sun can be seen in November, December, when daylight hours are reduced to 7 hours, during the same period the most rainfall occurs.

The mild, even climate makes the island attractive for tourism all year round.

Penang is located in a zone of high seismic activity, there are earthquakes in Sumatra and Indonesia, the echo of which reaches the island. However, in the entire history of observations on the island there were no destructive shocks and tsunamis that would threaten people. Even during the powerful earthquake in Sumatra 2012, Penang experienced only a slight wiggle. Floods are a more likely cataclysm in the equatorial climate, so in September-December 2014 the largest flooding occurred on the island, which caused significant damage to the population. However, the authorities very quickly eliminated all the consequences of the disaster.

People

Penang, Malaysia, is a place of mixing of several ethnic groups. The Chinese dominate here, unlike the rest of the country. Today Penang has become a place of settlement of expats (foreign, most often European, specialists), whole European colonies are being created. In connection with such a great ethnic diversity on the island you can hear a variety of speech. The official language, as in all of Malaysia, is Bahasa Melaya or Malay. In connection with the long British past, English is also ubiquitous; the Chinese population use the Chinese language with might and main. Also in use are several unique languages: Tamil, Ibanian, Austronesian dialects. Many of the local dialects are still not written.

Islam is the state, but the Chinese population of Penang more often professes Buddhism, you can also meet representatives of the Anglican and Hindu churches. The deep Buddhist roots reflected in the worldview of people who are very friendly. There are always a lot of smiling people, it is almost impossible to face aggression. Although the inhabitants of the island often very expressively speak in elevated tones with active gestures, but this is only a reflection of temperament. The island is highly safe, it is rarely heard of violence or robbery, although fraud, of course, exists, especially in tourist places.

sights

A long history, in which several cultures intertwined, led to the fact that a unique environment was formed on the island, in which there were responses of various traditions. Penang, whose attractions are an important part of tourism programs, provides great opportunities for educational excursions.

Penang, which was a part of the British Empire for a long time, retained many features of colonial culture. The old Georgetown area from the time of colonization retained a unique look, combining the features of British classical architecture and Chinese traditional buildings. Here you must definitely find the "blue house", this mansion is among the ten most outstanding estates in the world. The city center is a monument protected by UNESCO. Walking in these streets is a real adventure, it can be done with a guide or on your own, there is the opportunity to take a bike and explore all corners of the city.

Penang is not in vain known as the “pearl of the East"; it harmoniously combines the features of Indian, Chinese, Malay cultures. Of the most interesting, it is worth mentioning the seven-tiered pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which is located in the temple of Supreme Bliss, it is the largest temple in Asia. The height of the pagoda is 30 meters, you can climb it to explore the surroundings. The serpent temple, built in 1850 in honor of the Chinese monk, the healer and protector of all living things, including snakes, will cause undoubted interest among tourists. Many snakes live in the temple, ministers assure that they are deprived of poison, but this is not the main thing, here you can see the historical building and look at the life of the monks. It is also worth seeing the Burmese Buddhist temple, a visit to its rather large area can turn into a fascinating quest, there is an elevator, an attraction for donations, and many beautiful corners. The Indian quarter will allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of real India, with its brightness, spice, music and temples.

Penang Bridge is another impressive attraction. Its length is more than 13 km, it is the longest bridge in Asia and the third in the world.

To see the city from a height, you can climb Mount Penang, whose height is 800 m.

Kitchen

Penang Island is considered a true Asian gastronomic capital. Here you can taste real Indian, Chinese, Malay, Thai cuisines. Time magazine called Petanga's best food service the best in Asia; gastronomic tours are organized here. Since there are a lot of restaurants with authentic Asian dishes, it can be difficult to figure them out without a guide. "Pearl of the East" allows you to taste dishes of the most outstanding national cuisines of Asia in one place. Aborigines consider char kway teow the main dish of their island, which translates as fried noodles. But the name is misleading, so rice noodles are the only obligatory component of this dish, the cook adds the rest at his discretion, and this can be chicken meat, shrimp, seafood, fruits, vegetables and, of course, spices and sauces.

Fried rice is another dish that you can try in every restaurant and never find one like it. The freshest fish on Penang is also cooked in thousands of different ways, and an excellent result is always obtained. Asam Lux - a spicy fish dish is the island's trademark and is included in the rating of “50 most delicious dishes in the world.” There are many versions of laks, you can spend a whole tour comparing these dishes in different restaurants. The beauty of Penang is that here a variety of dishes are placed close to each other, and sometimes in the same restaurant, and it's all very inexpensive.

Features of rest

The main attraction for tourists is the beaches of Penang. Of course, in terms of grooming and infrastructure, they are inferior to the beaches of Phuket or Bali. But their charm is that there are much fewer people, and you can combine lying on the beach with educational and entertaining tourism. The main beaches are Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang, Tanjung Tokong. Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Tokong are located near Georgetown, have a well-developed infrastructure, you can get various water attractions, eat in a good cafe, rent any equipment. Teluk Bahang is located on the territory of the national park and gives an unforgettable feeling of unity with nature, here, of course, the service is more modest, but it is more than paid for by the beauty of nature and low population. Although every year this beach is becoming more civilized and attracts more and more people.

Holidays at sea in May, June and September will be not only a great way to sunbathe, but also get acquainted with a unique culture, cuisine, get in touch with tropical nature. This is the main specificity of Penang - here you can combine the usual beach vacation with trips to nature parks and sightseeing tours.

How to get there

Getting to Penang is very easy. Air traffic Moscow-Malaysia is well established. You need to fly to the capital of Kuala Lampur (a direct flight will take almost 10 hours), and from there drive to the island by boat or fly by domestic flight. There are also tours to Malaysia with an arrival in Bayan Lepas (it is 15 km from Georgetown), which is connected by direct flights to almost all Asian capitals and many international airports.

Things to do

Penang is the best place for lovers of active and informative holidays, there are a lot of places worth visiting. It is also an excellent place for walking. First of all, you should go to the Waterfall Gardens to see a unique collection of tropical plants, here some species of exotic birds and animals are presented. The park is very beautiful, waterfalls and tree shadows create a pleasant coolness, so you can go here even on a hot July day.

The Pulau Payar Marine Park is another great place to spend time; here you can see the coral reef and its inhabitants, as well as a huge number of inhabitants of the underwater world.

It will be interesting for tourists to visit a tropical fruit farm, here you can drink juice from freshly picked fruit and see how exotic fruits grow. You can continue walking in the butterfly park, which presents more than 300 species of tropical butterflies, in the Bird Park with 800 species of birds, in the Forest Museum, in the Penang National Park.

In addition to walking, you can devote time to studying the national cuisines of the Asian region, enjoy plenty of rides on a variety of water attractions, spend time shopping in large shopping centers near Georgetown.

Today, which is so inexpensive and diverse, it is rapidly entering the TOP of the best tropical destinations for recreation. Penang seeks to offer the best for tourists entertainment. Free time can be devoted to excursions around Georgetown on a double-decker bus. You can buy a tour to a real Malay village to see the life of people far from civilization. There, tourists will be shown the traditional crafts, rites and dwellings of the Malay natives.

Museum lovers can visit the military museum, which preserved and reconstructed the life of British defensive units of the 19th century; Penang Museum, which tells about the history of the island and presents objects of art and crafts of the inhabitants of the region, the Suffolk House estate of Captain Francis Light, an unusual owl museum, which contains more than 1000 figures of owls from a variety of materials.

Where to stay

Tours to Malaysia offer a choice of accommodation within Georgetown or in small suburbs. Beach lovers can stay in the immediate vicinity of the coast. If you wish, you can mix in the territory of the butterfly park or even in the national reserve to feel the fusion with the pristine tropical nature. However, traditionally, tourists prefer to stay within the boundaries of Georgetown, and from there visit different points of the island. Transport on Penang is very well developed and is very inexpensive, and hotels in the city offer the best conditions.

Practical information

Malaysia, where vacations are so attractive, is a country of visa-free visits for Russians. If the trip lasts no more than 30 days, then no visas are required.

Penang is in the UTC + 8 time zone, that is, the difference with Moscow is +5 hours.

The national currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit, other currencies in the country are used little. You can exchange money at banks or at numerous exchange points where the exchange rate is traditionally more profitable. For the exchange, it is most convenient to take US dollars. Plastic cards are accepted everywhere, except for markets and transport, but care should be taken, since Malaysia is in the high-risk zone for operations with bank cards.

As in all Asian countries, on Penang it is worth observing additional sanitary safety measures and be sure to stock up on medicines and insurance before the trip.

Here is a detailed map of Penang Island with the names of cities and towns in Russian. Move the card while holding it with the left mouse button. You can move around the map by clicking on one of the four arrows in the upper left corner. The scale allows the scale on the right side of the map or the rotation of the mouse wheel.

What country is Penang Island

Penang Island is located in Malaysia. This is a wonderful, beautiful place, with its own history and traditions. Coordinates of Penang Island: north latitude and east longitude (show on the big map).

Virtual walk

The “little man” figure above the scale scale will help you to take a virtual walk through the cities of Penang Island. By pressing and holding the left mouse button, drag it to any place on the map and you will go for a walk, while in the upper left corner inscriptions with the approximate address of the area will appear. Select the direction of movement by clicking on the arrows in the center of the screen. The “Satellite” option at the top left allows you to see a relief image of the surface. In the "Map" mode you will get the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the roads of Penang Island and the main attractions.

Malaysia is a modern industrialized country with a high level of economy. The state is developing dynamically and is considered one of the richest in Southeast Asia. Penang is a popular island and resort that is geographically related to. Here you can choose a different type of recreation: beach, shopping, sightseeing and entertainment.

What to see in Penang (photo)

Location of Penang, Malaysia

  Malaysia occupies several islands, dividing it into two parts. The western direction includes the tip of the Malacca Peninsula with adjacent islets. Penang is one of them.. You can find Penang Island on the map if you rise from the Indian Ocean to the Strait of Malacca. Washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea, the island is located 13 km from the coast and is connected to the mainland by a long bridge.

The state of Penang includes the island itself and the coastal zone of the mainland Seberang-Perai, divided by the Strait of Malacca. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 1031 square meters. km, and the island part - 293 square meters. km The length of Penang extends for 25 km, width - 15 km. The terrain is expressed by hills and forests, the highest point is a mountain of the same name.

On a small area there are two cities and several villages. Georgetown - the administrative center, located in the eastern part of the island. It is a well-maintained city with a high standard of living, developed service infrastructure and agro-industrial complexes.

Thanks to the development of tourism, different nations live in the country. The census showed that Malays make up 40% of the population, the rest - 41% Chinese and 10% Indians. The mixture of nationalities significantly affected the mentality of the inhabitants, cultural and architectural direction.

The best time to relax

What time is preferable to go on vacation will depend on the tourist season, local holidays and weather. In these places, a hot and humid climate, but much warmer becomes from February to early March. Rising temperature and humidity makes it difficult  travel for sensitive people. There are rainy seasons, there are only two of them: September-November, May. October and May are rather rainy months. In the period from April to June in Malaysia there is smog brought by the winds of Sumatra.

A large influx of tourists occurs in December and January. On Christmas and New Year holidays there is always crowded. High tourist season provokes a rise in prices up to 20%. The period from May to October is marked by a low tourist season. At this time, housing prices and better rooms are more affordable. Holidays and festivals on Penang are celebrated on a grand scale, due to the mixing of cultures, the processions turn out to be bright, which may serve as a reason for the trip.

Island Attractions

  Penang is known not only for the developed sphere of tourism and hotel business. International conferences and business forums are held here. The cities have offices of large companies  electronics, shopping centers. All this is due to the fact that a free economic zone is established on the territory.

Those who decide to explore interesting places and have enough time will have to spend at least 5-6 days on an excursion. Penang has more attractions than anywhere else in Malaysia. The main part is located in the capital - Georgetown, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Georgetown Historic District

Known as Old Town and is a World Heritage Site. It is a network of winding unique streets where historical and architectural buildings, temples, mosques, palaces, markets and cafes are located. The architecture of the buildings is made in a different style - British, Chinese, etc. Some houses display paintings by artists. Here you can see drawn animals, children, cartoon characters and movies. In some cases, the images are supplemented with real objects, which brings great realism.

The following overview includes the most interesting and visited attractions within the city of Georgetown and beyond.

Temples

  The closely intertwined cultures and religions in Malaysia are reflected in Muslim and Buddhist temples, Christian cathedrals. Of all the diversity, the largest Buddhist temple is Kek Lok Si. The construction of the largest temple in Asia lasted 40 years. As a result, the architecture of the building included Burmese, Thai, Chinese design elements. In the temple there is a seven-tiered pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, whose height is 30 meters. This temple is the hallmark of Penang.

Museums

There are many museums on Penang, many of them private. The variety of directions is surprising, here every tourist will find a museum interesting for himself.

Some of the popular cultural institutions:

Beach holidays in Penang

On the north side are the main beaches of Penang. The most famous of them are Batu Ferring, Teluk-Bahang, Tanjung-Bungah.

1. Batu Ferring. This beach has a good infrastructure, a diverse network of hotels and restaurants nearby, offers various types of water sports. The beach is 10 km from Georgetown. Residents of the city often spend weekends here, arranging picnics and fishing. The place is characterized by white sand and relatively clear water, when compared with other beaches of the island, although there are a large number of jellyfish in it.
2. Teluk Bahang. The name translates as "Gulf of Embers". Located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe national park and fascinates with the beauty of the surrounding nature. A bit inferior to Batu ferringa in service maintenance, but here it is less crowded.
3. Tanjung Bungah. It is located only 5 km from Georgetown, which affects the quality of water: it contains garbage and jellyfish. This situation is explained by the presence of wastewater, for unexplained reasons, attracting marine organisms. In terms of amenities, the beach is slightly inferior to Batu Ferringa, but the suburban location is perfect for those who want to combine a beach holiday and sightseeing.

Beach holidays in Penang

To the west there are deserted and less civilized beaches, which are difficult to reach without personal transportation. In the bowels of Penang National Park, Monkey Beach is located. You can get here using a boat or taking a walk through the thicket of the jungle. To see unique relic places allows Pantai Keracut beach. Nearby is a meromictic lake, surprising in that its upper layer consists of fresh water, and the lower - of sea.

Beach tourism in Penang is significantly inferior to other resorts in Southeast Asia. But the sunny climate, white sand, the opportunity to see the sights, get acquainted with the rich culture and history, as well as enjoy the excellent cuisine makes Penang special.

This islandrightfully called the "pearl of the East"!

-- Instead of a foreword

--

-- Weather.

-- Penang map.

-- How to get to Penang

-- A Brief History of Penang

-- Where to stay?

-- Public transport.

--

--

-- Attractions outside the capital

-- Penang beaches

Instead of a foreword

We have to live and work at Penang for at least a year, so I began to collect information about the island in advance bit by bit from the Internet, and I hope that it will be regularly updated with my own impressions, and adjusted in the future. The result was a kind of Penang guide for independent tourists. Tested by myself. At first, I traveled with him around the island - and he really helped me orient myself, I hope it will help others. Prices are constantly changing, so I try to adjust them in the Malaysian ringgits (RM) for 2012. To get the approximate price in dollars, divide by 3. I decided not to overload the guidebook with photographs, they are given in sufficient quantities in the links to my individual stories about the island's sights. I also allow myself to express my opinion, which often does not coincide with the opinion of travel agencies.

Useful Island Information

Penang Island is located on the northwestern coast of Malaysia, lies on the way from China to India and strategically controls the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. In Russian, the name of the island sounds like "Bethel nut island", as palm trees giving these fruits grow in abundance. The island is located a few kilometers from the coast and is connected to the mainland by a thirteen-kilometer bridge.

Penang Island is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyon cultures with its colonial past. This is manifested in many historical and cultural attractions of the island. Antiquity and modernity coexist here: rickshaws and the latest cars, colonial mansions and modern villas, ancient temples and skyscrapers.

At Penang, rest is, first of all, getting to know the sights, shopping, excursions, and entertainment. Here are good hotels and a lot of budget accommodation, a variety of restaurants, beautiful temples, parks and gardens. The temples of Penang Island are protected by UNESCO as architectural monuments. Fans of attractions will be amazed on the island of Penang by abandoned architectural and historical monuments that have gone back centuries. In fact, each Penang temple is beautiful and unique in its own way. It seems that every people living on Penang tried to build the most beautiful and luxurious temple. The Temple of the Mountain Dragon is the pride of the Chinese, the Anglican Church of St. George is the British, etc. There are many night clubs and entertainment venues, restaurants and shopping centers, souvenir shops and night markets.

A beach vacation on Penang is concentrated only in certain parts of the island .. Penang beaches are an idyllic paradise of tranquility and silence - golden sand, clear blue water, small caves, fenced off from the outside world by huge boulders. It is on the beaches of Penang that you can understand what a real paradise is surrounded by peace, silence, golden sand and turquoise waters. (This information is from the travel agency, but according to my first impressions, it does not correspond to reality! I will write about the beaches of Penang below)

The population of Penang is just over a million people, while 60% of the inhabitants of the island are Chinese.

Weather.

As in the rest of Malaysia, the Penang does not show seasonal weather fluctuations. During the year, the temperature here is at around 23 ... 32C, water +26 ... 28C. Humid air, 70% to 90%

According to the weather, the driest season is winter (December-March), the wettest is summer (May-August). But this does not mean that there will be no rain at all in winter. They will be, and can be every day, but local and short-term. As in the summer, there is rainfall every day, but again, it is not poured for days, but 2-3 hours a day, the rest of the time there may be sunny weather. We have already seen this personally - a rare day without rain in the dry period!

You can go on vacation to the island at any time of the year, but you should keep in mind the wet season and high season.

The wet season (rainy season) usually runs from September to November. Sometimes the wet season begins earlier - in August. At this time, heavy rains are frequent and there may be hurricanes. In general, this is not the best time to visit the island, although the weather during this period is very unpredictable for the better, and it may well turn out to be warm and calm for a long time. During this period, prices for travel services are reduced, so this is the best time for budget travelers.

The second wet season falls in May, but it is shorter than October.

The high season (the time of influx of tourists) begins in late December and continues until the Chinese New Year. (The Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar, usually the end of January - mid-February). For thrifty tourists, this is not the best time, since the prices on the island increase significantly for everything, and the number of tourists increases sharply.

  Penang map.

  (a detailed map of the area is very useful!)

How to get to Penang

By plane

The island has an international airport - Penang International Airport. It is located 16 kilometers from Georgetown. You can fly here by airlines Air Asia, Firefly, Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Airways, Tiger Airways, Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines.  You can fly here very inexpensively with low-cost airlines of Asia - AirAsia. Direct flights are operated from the cities of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and about. Langkawi (Langkawi), as well as from cities in other countries of Southeast Asia.

The cost of an air flight purchased in advance on the AirAsia website or other local low-cost airlines is quite competitive with the cost of a bus ticket, and will cost you a little more. For example, a flight from KL lasting 45 minutes can be purchased at a promotional rate for RM69 with all fees, while a 6-hour bus ride will cost around RM40. But it should be borne in mind that when flying from the same KL you will still need to get to Kuala Lumpur Airport, which will require additional time and money. As a result, a time flight will be slightly faster than moving to Penang by bus directly from the capital.

From the international airport of Penang Island, the hotel can be reached by taxi, hired in the parking lot at the exit. Taxi by meter or by arrangement to Georgetown will cost approximately RM30. You can also order a taxi in the airport arrivals hall in a taxi booth (look for a booth with the inscription teksi). A trip by such a taxi is carried out at fixed rates: to Georgetown - RM38, and to the farthest north-west part of the island - RM60.

The cheapest way to get from the airport to Georgetown is to use public transport (Rapid Penang bus system). The bus stop is immediately upon leaving the airport on the left, and it is very difficult not to notice the bus waiting for passengers there. Bus routes 401E travels from the airport in Georgetown to the terminus Weld Quay Bus Terminal (Jetty)   via Komtar   every 25-35 minutes. Route 102 goes to Batu Ferringhi beach on the northern tip of the island also via  Komtar   every 60-80 minutes. A trip to Georgetown will cost RM2.7.

Buses depart every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Attention! Bus N306 does not go from the airport to the center of Georgetown.

By train

There is no railway on the island, but through the city Butterworth (Butterworth)  on the shore there is a branch of the main railway of Malaysia. The train station is just a short walk along the steep passage from the Butterworth ferry. The ferry runs 20 minutes to  Weld Quay (Jetty)   in georgetown and stands  RM 1.2 (back, from Georgetown to Butterworth, the ferry takes everyone for free).

Trains in Malaysia do not run very fast, and the journey from KL to Butterworth takes more than 6 hours. Several trains run daily between Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth, including a very convenient night train. The fare depends on the class: it starts from RM34 for a seat and reaches RM138 for a seat in a compartment. The cheapest seats (ASC) for the train from KL are quite decent, with a TV and air conditioning (sometimes even too much), and it makes no sense if you decide to go sitting and take the more expensive AFC seating class. The only problem when traveling by night train due to uncontrolled and non-disconnectable air conditioners (they always work when the electricity in the train is turned on) can be very cold.

You can get information about the timetable and cost of tickets, as well as book a ticket on the Malaysian Railways website -  http://www.ktmb.com.my/.

By bus

The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so getting here by bus is very easy and convenient. Various companies operate non-stop flights from cities in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

The most popular route from Kuala Lumpur takes 5 hours and costs from RM35.

Buses to the island arrive at the Georgetown Intercity Bus Station - Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (Terminal Bas Express SG Nibong), located between the city and the airport. From here you can get a taxi to the city center from RM20.

In addition to taxis, you can get to the city by public transport. Right at the exit from the bus station along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah street, there is a bus stop for some buses, and some buses call directly at the station. There you can wait for the city bus N102 (to Batu Feringghi beach via Komtar), N401 and N303 (to Weld Quay via Komtar) The fare to the city is RM2.

Some intercity buses do not finish their journey directly on Penang, but on Butterworth, located on the shore. The final stop for such buses is Butterworth Ferry Terminal. From there to the bus station  Weld quay   in Georgetown there is a ferry that costs RM1.2 and takes 20 minutes.

On a ferryboat

At Penang, in the city of Georgetown, there is a jetty ferry (Jetty), which is very convenient to get from the mainland and from Langkawi. The first ferry from Butterworth to Penang leaves at 06:15, and the last at 00:40. From Penang to Butterworth, the first ferry at 06:28, the last at 01:00. Ferries run very often. The fare from Butterworth is RM1.2, and the ferry from Penang to Butterworth is free. For the transport of a bicycle, motorcycle, car will have to pay extra. Ferry travel time is 20 minutes.

There is also a ferry service from o.Langkawi. The crossing time is 2 hours 45 minutes. Cost: RM60 adult ticket, RM45 - child ticket.

Penang Langkawi Ferry Schedule  Ferries depart daily from Penang at 8.15 and 8.30, from Langkawi at 14.30 and 17.15.

Up-to-date information on the schedule and cost of the ferry is available on the website http://www.langkawi-ferry.com/

This useful information is collected from various sources of the Internet, and I think that it will be useful to many

A Brief History of Penang

Once this island belonged to the Sultan of Kedah and until 1786 was uninhabited until the British East India Company decided to establish its trading post here. Since then, Penang became the first possession of the British in what is now Malaysia. And in the same year, the Englishman Francis Light founded the island's capital - the city of Georgetown, naming it in honor of the English Emperor George III. The new owners of Penang immediately discerned a potential resort in this land, overgrown with tropical jungle from betelnut palm trees, and a few decades later the Sargsyan brothers opened the first hotels here.

Where to stay?

(information received from the site "Our Planet")

If you go to Penang for a beach vacation, it is best to settle in the area of \u200b\u200bBatu Feringgi beach in the north of the island. Tanjung Bungah beach is also in the north, a little worse, but closer to Georgetown. There are other beaches around the perimeter of the island, it remains only to choose a hotel by location and price. You can see the beaches and their position on the map above, and you can choose a beach by reading their brief descriptions in the " Penang beaches"

If you want to be in the thick of things, to get acquainted with local sights and cuisine, to have access to inexpensive public transport to explore the sights of the island, but at the same time to partially abandon a beach holiday, it is best to settle in the city of Georgetown. Let me remind you that Georgetown is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is “crammed” with historical and cultural attractions.

Tourist (backpacker) area of \u200b\u200bGeorgetown.

This is the most popular and most conveniently located tourist destination in Georgetown. If you come to get to know the city, you need to stay here. Most hotels of different levels of price and quality are concentrated here. A large number of budget hotels are also located here. City attractions, transportation hubs and public transport routes, including a free tourist shuttle bus, are located and run here.

The area is formed by Chulia Street (Lebuh Chulia), Love Lane (Lorong Love), Leith Street (Lebuh Leith), Penang Road (Jalan Penang) and Transfer Road (Jalan Transfer). Among them, Chulia Street (Lebuh Chulia) is considered the most backpacker. It starts almost from the station  Weld quay , but you need to go a little further along the street, 500 meters deep into the city to find the most convenient and inexpensive hotels.

The area around Komtar Tower in Georgetown (Komtar)

The area around the Komtar tower, located in the center of the city, is becoming very popular for budget accommodation. What is good, here you will be close to tourist attractions, and to the main transport hub of the city, and to the largest shopping center Komtar. Almost all city buses come here from the ferry and Weld Quay station (at the foot of the tower there is a bus station  Komtar bus Terminal).

Gurney Drive District

It’s quite a good area for accommodation, located within the city, but a little distance from the center. There are no special advantages when placing in this area, except that it is a little cleaner. The surrounding area is mainly high-rise hotels, shopping centers and other multi-story buildings, and therefore the area gives the impression of a modern city. It is located quite far from the transport hubs Komtar and Weld Quay and city attractions, so you have to get to them either by taxi or by bus.

Gurney Drive is famous for its open-air restaurants, cafes and food courts, and is the most popular destination for tourist dinners in Penang.

Public transport.

Island travel. Penang has an excellent Rapid Penang public transport system that allows city buses to reach almost all the main attractions of the island.

Busstation  Weld Quay Bus Terminal (sosame  Jetty), 19-24 Pengkalan Weld, Georgetown. Georgetown City Bus Station. Almost adjacent to the ferry pier (Jetty). For tourists, this station is also important due to the fact that this is the final stop for the 401E bus coming from the airport. From here, the hotel’s backpacker or tourist area around the Komtar Tower can be reached on foot. Almost all Penang city buses, with rare exceptions, start and end their journey here. To get here from the areas of Georgetown, just take any bus in the city, including the free MPPP tourist bus. The main thing is not to confuse the direction of movement from / to the pier. A free MPPP bus goes around the ring, so no matter what direction you take it, you will be at the station sooner or later.

Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal (sosame  Terminal Bas Express SG Nibong). Intercity bus station. It is located approximately in the middle between the center of Georgetown and the airport along the east (on the map right) coast of the island, at the intersection of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Sungai Dua, about one kilometer from the coast.

From here you can get a taxi to the city center from RM20. In addition to taxis, you can get to the city by public transport. Right at the exit from the bus station along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah street, there is a bus stop for some buses, and some buses call directly at the station. There you can wait for the city bus N102 (to Batu Feringghi beach via Komtar), N401 and N303 (to Weld Quay via Komtar) The fare to the city is RM2.

Komtar Bus Terminalandbuilding  Komtar. At the base of Komtar Tower (Komtar Tower is the tallest building on Penang, which houses offices and a shopping center), on the ground floor, there is the main station of city buses. The area around the tower is considered a new tourist area. The tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city.

If you arrived at the bus station  Weld quay bus terminal   or arrived by ferry to the jetty (Jetty), you can get here on foot, simply moving towards the building, which is visible from anywhere in the city. You can also catch any Rapid Penang bus, as all of their routes from Weld Quay run through Komtar.

Boarding buses and traffic at the station are very logical and understandable. There are five lines, each of which is designed to wait for certain groups (numbers) of buses. Each line is equipped with waiting benches and billboards with a traffic map, route numbers and popular places (including tourist ones) to which buses from this line go. Also, a convenient electronic display has been installed at the station, showing bus numbers, their current location and predicted arrival time, line of arrival.

Attention, the MPPP free tourist bus does not call at the station itself. He stops at a stop literally 30 meters from the station.

Marinas

-- Ferry Pier at Georgetown (Weld Quay, also Jetty). Penang Marina is very conveniently located right in Georgetown, next to the Weld Quay Bus Terminal bus station, from which you can get to different parts of the city. About ferries arriving at the marina . Almost all Penang city buses, with rare exceptions, start and end their journey here (on Weld Quay). To get here from the areas of Georgetown, just take any bus in the city, including the free MPPP tourist bus. The main thing is not to confuse the direction of movement from / to the pier.

-- Butterworth Ferry Dock. Butterworth's ferry pier is called Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal or Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim. Near the marina is the intercity bus terminal and the city's railway station. Both the railway station and the bus terminal are connected to the marina by covered walkways, and the directions are marked with signs.

Buses

Penang Island is entangled in the Rapid Penang bus network. This public transport network is successfully operating on the island and will allow you to explore almost all corners of the island. Buses run quite often and pick up passengers at the stops well-equipped with signs.

The main station (terminal) for Rapid Penang is the Komtar bus terminal, located at the base of the Komtar tower. Another important station is  Weld Quay (Jetty) . Almost all Rapid Penang buses departing from Weld Quay follow through Komtar.

You can travel by bus by buying single tickets for a trip, or by purchasing a ticket for all routes valid for one week (cost 30 ringgit).

A one-week ticket will be a good choice for those who want to actively explore the island, travel a lot, and not be too lazy to study the route network of buses. The ticket price is RM30, it will operate on absolutely all Rapid Penang routes. All you need is to present a pass at the entrance to the bus. Tickets can be purchased at Rapid ticket kiosks, Weld Quay, Komtarm, Penang Sentral, Bukit Jambul bus terminals and at the airport.

When buying single tickets, the cost is calculated based on the length of the route: RM1.4 for the first seven kilometers of travel and reaches a maximum of RM4. One-time tickets are purchased from the driver at the entrance to the bus. At the entrance, you should tell the driver which point you are going to, and the driver will tell you how much it costs. Payment is not made to the driver, but money is thrown into a special box after you have shown the required amount to the driver. The driver only rips you a ticket. Change is not issued in this case, since it is not provided for by the rules of the bus company. If you have 10 ringgit in your hands, and you need to pay only 2 ringgit, then you have to either part with the ten, or get off the bus and exchange money. The bus, of course, will not wait for you. So always have a trifle with you.

Drivers are mostly very friendly and good with tourists, so at the entrance you can pester them with questions and even show on the map the place you need if you are not sure that you are going right. The line at the bus entrance will patiently wait until you figure it out, so don't worry. If necessary, ask the driver to announce a stop where you should go, but do not go far from him in this case, so that he does not look for you all over the bus.

Bus stops, especially on the streets of Georgetown, are very densely located, and it is very easy to identify them. At most stops there is information about the routes passing there, which is very convenient if you find yourself in an unfamiliar part of the city.

You can get a free bus route map at the Rapid Penang Information Kiosk kiosks at Penang Airport, at Weld Quay Station and next to Komtar Station (about 30 meters from it).

You can study the route scheme and their detailed description on the official website http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/ . The site also has a route planner where you can set the start and end points of the route, and the system will display all possible routes and their cost.

Free Shuttle Bus (MPPP Rapid Penang, also CAT)

Every day, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. with a 20-30 minute interval along the winding ring route in Georgetown, free shuttle basses follow, making stops at 19 stopping points along the route. The route is designed in such a way that it passes near the attractions included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This is a great way to move around the city in search of attractions, and just to move around the city. By the way, this is actively used by local residents, and at rush hour the bus is literally jam-packed with locals who go from work or to work.

Buses stop at regular Rapid Penang bus stops (there are no separate stops for MPPP CAT), marked with signs that say "Free shuttle" and stop numbers from 1 to 19 (see photo). If there are no waiting passengers at the stop and no one inside the bus has pressed the “stop on demand” button, the bus will pass by. So get oriented in advance and press the stop button. It is useless to catch a bus outside stops, they are forbidden to stop outside stops.

The buses themselves are almost no different from regular shuttle buses, but they can be easily distinguished by the words "Hop On Free", "City Hop On", as well as the letters "MPPP CAT SHITTLE" lit on the board.

On foot

A great way to explore the sights within Georgetown is on foot. The size of the city, despite the fact that it is the state capital, built up with skyscrapers, is not so big. Having the strength, patience and water for drinking, you can get around all the sights of the city in one day.

Taxi

Most taxis on the island are equipped with counters, but drivers are not in a hurry to use them when traveling.

Trips on the counter in most cases are cheaper than at the contractual rate, especially for foreigners, from which drivers try to rip off more. Before boarding, make sure that the driver agrees to take you to the counter. If he does not agree, you can look for another taxi or negotiate a fixed price for the trip in advance.

Car, motorcycle rental

Moving around the island in a rented transport is a pleasure. It is necessary to have international rights, as well as be prepared to readjust to right-hand traffic on the roads.

You can rent a car here from RM150 per day. The motorcycle will cost from RM20.

Attractions, excursions and attractions of Penang

The number of attractions on Penang Island is simply amazing. According to various estimates, there are from 1000 to 3000! Of course, 3 thousand, this is too much, but be that as it may, there are a lot of officially registered significant places, so lovers to get acquainted with the history, architecture and culture of an individual island are just paradise.

Attractions are scattered throughout the island, but most of them are concentrated in the city of Georgetown. You can get acquainted with the sights of Georgetown both on foot or using the special MPPP Rapid Penang CA bus, which takes everyone around the city for free, making stops near the location of the main attractions. The city’s authorities did everything to ensure that guests could get to know the city, even providing a free bus for this.

As for attractions outside of Georgetown, most of them are very affordable even for the budget traveler, and there is no need to hire a taxi or rent a car. The existing system of urban public transport on the island is very convenient and will allow you to get anywhere in the island, while spending very little money.

We have tried to collect for you an overview of the most interesting and worthy in our opinion attractions, as well as tourist attractions of Penang Island, located outside the city of Georgetown. For each place, we also indicated a way to get there by public transport and location on an interactive map of the island.

The island's capital is Georgetown and its attractions

Georgetown is the capital of Penang Island and a major port is the second largest city in Malaysia. The city was founded in 1786 and named after the English king George the Third. It was the first British trading port in the Far East, which retained traces of European culture to this day. The architecture, harmoniously combining different styles, sights, telling about the fascinating history of this big city and, of course, numerous Chinese, Indian and Sikh temples - all this leaves an unforgettable experience. The population of about 800 thousand inhabitants, most of them are Chinese. Georgetown will not let the most demanding tourist get bored. For guests of the island the doors of restaurants, bars, clubs and discos are open, the atmosphere of which is much more noisy and laid back than in Langkawi. Therefore, Penang is most reminiscent of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. Here are the same shops, open cafes, Chinese traditional festivals. Surprisingly, even in Ramadan on Penang, pubs and wellness salons work until the morning, an essential attribute  Penang sex industry.

Financial Center - Lebuh Pantai - main street of the city. Many offices and banks are located in old, restored buildings. Shops are concentrated on Jalang Penang and Jalan Campbell Street.

The old city is traditionally divided into 4 districts.

Central District is Chinatown, part of the city with narrow streets and two-story houses. Chinatown also includes the so-called "Little India", where both Indians and Indian Muslims live. Chinatown is a colorful mosaic of numerous Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques, shops and stalls, vegetable markets and night markets. The Penang Chinese district was originally formed by Chinese immigrants along China street in Georgetown. Subsequently, this area expanded significantly, and now covers the territory bounded by Lebuh King, Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh Muntri, and Lebuh Campbell. We can say that Chinatown is the heart of Jordtown. Here, life is constantly in full swing, trade is going briskly, the night market is working. During festivals and holidays, it is especially noisy and fun. There are many Chinese and Hindu temples, mosques, countless shops and shops, several night markets.

To feel the heartbeat of Georgetown, you should definitely walk along the streets of Chinatown and visit its night market. In addition, it is worth visiting the Chong-Fat-Jie mansion, on the roof of which there are skillfully made mosaics of animals from Chinese legends.

In a Buddhist temple Wat Chaya-Mangkalaram (Wat chaya mangkalaram), built in the tradition of Thai architecture, you can see one of the three largest sculptures of the reclining Buddha in the world (the length of the statue is more than 33 meters).

One of the most famous places of worship in Georgetown - the Chinese temple Khu Kongsi House (Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi or Khoo Kongsi  (Khoo Kongsi, "Kongsi" means "clan, temple of Chinese clan or family"), an impressive building built by skilled craftsmen from China. This building is also known as the "Dragon Mountain." Its magnificent hall is decorated with paintings and skillful wood and stone carvings.

The rich clans competed among themselves in the construction of clan houses, and therefore the buildings were striking in their splendor and sophistication, and could well compete in luxury with the royal palaces. One of the most luxurious houses, Khu Kongxi, built in 1850, is now turned into a museum, where you can admire the magnificent architecture and get acquainted with the history of the clan.

This clan house was formerly owned by members of the Khu Chinese clan who immigrated to Penang from South China in the 8th century. It was at that time that the Chinese community began to form on Penang, where important matters were discussed in the circle of a large family, religious and secular holidays were celebrated.

By the way, clan houses of modern Chinese communities continue to exist and operate on Penang, but tourists are not allowed to enter there.

This place is certainly interesting and worth a visit, but the price is unreasonably high. Most recently, the cost of visiting has been raised from 5 ringgit to 10. Whether it’s worth 20 minutes of inspection at home (there’s nothing more to do), you decide.

Working hours:  You can visit Khu Kongsi House on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00.

How to get there ?:  Khu Kongsey Museum House is located at 18 Cannon St, Georgetown. You can get on the free shuttle bass, getting off at the stop N15 (Kampung Kolam)

One of the most beautiful mosques in the city is   Captain Keling Mosque  (Kapitan Keling Mosque), in architecture a bit reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in India. This magnificent building was erected at the beginning of the 19th century by Muslims - immigrants from India, and has nothing to do with either the British or the Portuguese captain. The term Kapitan here means the head of the Muslim community. According to another version, the mosque is named after the Indian merchant - Captain Keling, a Muslim by religion. The mosque is accessible for tourists at any time when prayers do not take place there.

How to get there ?:  You can get to the church on a free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N15 (Kampung Kolam).

And, of course, it is worth noting one of the oldest and most famous Hindu temples in the world - Sri Mariamman Temple  (Sri Mahamariamman Temple), built in 1883. On the facade and above the main entrance of the temple of the goddess Sri Mariamman, there are sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Inside this richly decorated temple is a priceless statue of Subramaniam, inlaid with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The statue is one of the most important ritual elements of the annual celebration of Taipusama, when she is transported on a silver chariot through the streets of the city to the temple at Jalan Waterfall. The rich decoration of the temple, magnificent sculptures of the gods made it a popular place for various holidays.

Admission:  The entrance is free. Entry permission must be obtained from the temple attendants.

Working hours:Sri Mariamman Temple is open from early morning to evening.

How to get there ?: You can get to the temple on the free shuttle bass, getting off at stop N16 (Mahkamah).

Also of interest   Burmese Dharmikarama Burmese Temple  The entrance to the Dharmikarama Temple is guarded by a pair of stone elephants. At the pagoda is a "pond of desires." This temple is the venue for various festivities during the Water Festival in April. The temple is easily recognizable by its gate tower, decorated with statues, carvings and murals.

A mosque on Achin street is also known as Masjid Melaya  (1820), built by immigrants from the island of Sumatra. Approximately in the middle of the minaret of this mosque is a small window, which, according to legend, was originally a hole from a shell that got here as a result of the riots of 1867.

In the old city, along with colonial-style houses and a Protestant cemetery (The graves of sailors from the Russian cruiser Zhemchug are located in the European cemetery), it is worth visiting the E&O hotel (West and East). Once it was considered the best "on the other side south of Suez", they loved to stay in it  Hermann Hesse, Rudyard Kipling and William Somerset Maugham .. In order to fully experience the indescribable atmosphere of this quarter, you can take a tour of it on foot or on a rickshaw.

The second curious tourist area of \u200b\u200bthe city is the colonial part of Georgetown, where is fort Cornwallis(1786-1804 gg.). The fort was built at the landing site in 1786 by Captain Francis Light. Initially, the fort was wooden, and later in 1804-1805. It was rebuilt by English convicts and replaced by stone buildings. To date, only external fortress walls have survived from it, in some places reaching 3 meters wide and almost 4 meters high. Semi-underground casemates are located along one of the fortress walls. In one room there is a prison, in the rest there is a modest semblance of a photo gallery with a description of the story, or they are simply empty. Several old Dutch guns were installed on the bastions of the fortress, which were captured by pirates, but subsequently recaptured by the British. The largest “Seri Rambai” cannon was made in 1603. In the beginning it belonged to the Sultan of Johor, then went to Aceh, then to the pirates, and only after that was installed on Penang. As local people believe, the cannon possesses the magical power of fertility and is very popular among women of the island. Women often lay flowers on a cannon, believing in its miraculous power. Just below the guns is a small museum, which contains exhibits telling about the history of the fort and Penang Island. Near the fort there is a park with souvenir shops and numerous cafes.

The fort is open from 9 am to 6 pm, tel .: 04 261 0262.

Admission:  admission to Fort Cornwallis RM 2 for adults and RM1 for children.

Working hours:  the fort is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:30

Beside -- fort history museum  orPenang War Museum  (War Museum)  various shows are held here, introducing tourists to the life of British soldiers. The museum is located on the ruins of the largest British fortifications built in 1930. The fortification is dug in a hillside. Here you can get acquainted with the life of British soldiers from the Second World War and his Asian brothers in arms. There are several above-ground and underground military structures on the territory, where boxes for shells, guns, ammunition, uniforms and kitchen utensils are stored. You can examine the living quarters for the military, food units, prison cells, tunnels and ventilation trunks. It is equipped with a shooting range for interactive demonstrations, and museum visitors can test their accuracy using paintball guns. There is a seating area.

Working hours:  The museum is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00.

Admission:  RM15 for adults, RM7.50 for children.

Near the fort is a magnificent colonial building City Hall (1880s) - a great example of British architecture, including Corinthian columns and huge windows. Previously, there was local government. The Clock Tower, approximately 18 meters high, was donated to the city by the local millionaire Chi Jong Yeok in 1897 in honor of Queen Victoria's anniversary.

In the same area is located Church of St. George  (St. George "s Church)  - The oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. The church is active, and twice a week on Saturdays at 8:30 and 10:30 a service is held here. The Church of St. George was built in 1818 by convicts and named after the patron saint of England. At the entrance to the church is a monument to Francis Light. You can get to the church on the free shuttle bass, getting off at the N6 stop (Penang Museum). Address: 1, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200.

Opposite the church of St. George, on the other side of Leboch Farkujar street, is located Penang Museum and Art Gallery  (Penang Museum)

The museum houses a collection of old photographs, geographical and nautical maps, Malay daggers (Keris), national costumes, antiques, Chinese furniture, as well as embroidery and paintings of old Penang. In the Art Gallery on the ground floor there is an exhibition of local artists, and various specialized exhibitions are held. The museum is located in the premises of a former school built in the distant 1812. The building is decorated with a statue of Captain Francis Light.

Working hours:  The museum is open daily except Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.

Admission:  RM1.00 adult, RM 0.5 children Entrance to the art gallery is free.

How to get there ?:You can get to the museum on the free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N6 (Pendang Museum).

Near the museum stands Chinese temple of the Goddess of Mercy(Kuan-Yin- Kuan yin) is one of the oldest and most revered Chinese temples in Penang. Guan Yin Temple was built in 1800 by the first immigrants from China. The temple building is decorated with skillfully carved dragons and stone sculptures of lions guarding the temple.

The temple is constantly filled with visitors and pilgrims. A visit to this temple during the celebration of the Chinese New Year, according to legend, should bring good luck.

The western outskirts of the city is occupied by the Pulau Picos region, it is inhabited by "woman" and "nenya", that is, rich Chinese and Thais. (The name "Pulau-Picus" is translated as "Rat Island", the island of the same name is uninhabited; for some unknown reason, one of the fashionable areas of Georgetown was also named in the same way). Pulau Picos is known for its architecture, trendy restaurants, Thai and Burmese temples, and Penang's largest Hindu sanctuary.

Fourth district  consists of the only North Road Mansion Avenue that adorns the Jalan Sultan Ahmed Shah Temple (   Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque) and along which the villas of prosperous ethnic Chinese are located.

Fifth, or business district of the city,formed next to the 65-story tower Komtar (Tuanku Abdul Rahman complex)  (Komtar Scenic View).

Komtar Tower is the tallest building on Penang, which houses offices, including state administration, and at the foot is the eponymous bus station. The area around the tower is considered a new tourist area. The tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city. On the 60th floor of the Komtar skyscraper there is an observation deck with a 360-degree view (maybe it was earlier - now the segment is open no more than 180 degrees). The site offers a breathtaking view of the city, especially if you visit it during sunset and capture both light and dark.

Admission:  Ascent to the observation deck is free, take the elevator and go up (my wife did so). If you ask, then the enterprising Chinese will charge you RM 5 (this is what they did to me).

Working hours:  The site is open to visitors from 9:00 to 21:00.

How to get there ?:  You can get to the Komtar tower on the free shuttle bus, getting off at the N9 (Komtar Pusat) or N10 (Komtar Utara) stop.

  Komtar is the largest shopping center on Jalan Penang Street. Jalan Penang Street itself is a continuous chain of shops and stores with all kinds of goods.

Penang residents are so proud of their city that they even decided to launch a free bus on a route that covers most of the attractions. These are buses operating on the so-called Hop-on-hop-off system, but unlike other tourist cities, no one will charge you for using this transport. In total, there are three such buses on the route, and they make stops at 20 stopping points. Armed with a list of stops with the sights located next to them, you can safely go to explore the city:

-- Stop  Pengkalan weld

Swettenham pier

Church street pier

-- Stop  Feri

Pengkalan Tun Raja Uda

Wisma yeap chor ee

Wisma kastam

-- Little india

Pinang peranakan mansion

Chung Keng Kwee Ancestral Temple

Penang heritage trust

San wooi wooi koon

Old OCBC Building

1886 Building

Kongsoon House

Ghee hiang

-- Imigresen

Immigration building

HSBC Building

Royal Bank of Scotland (formerly ABN Amro Bank)

Logan "s Building

Whiteways building

-- Bank negara

Bank negara malaysia

House of Yeap Chor Ee

Town hall

City hall

Cenotaph

Dewan sri pinang

-- Muzium

Penang Museum

Church of the assumption

Supreme court

Logan memorial

Convent light street

St Xavier "s Institution

-- Lebuh muntri

St francis xavier church

Hainan temple

Francis Light "s Tomb

Segara ninda

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

-- Lebuh campbell

Benggali mosque

Chowrasta market

Penang bazaar

-- Komtar Pusat

Komtar Tower

Prangin mall

Pacific Komtar

-- Komtar Utara

Ong Kongsi

Komtar Tower

Masjid Jamek Simpang Enam

Gama

Church of our lady of sorrows

-- Jalan kedah

Masjid titi papan

Dato Koyah Shrine

Saw Khaw Lean Heah Kongsi

-- Chowrasta

Chowrasta market

Penang bazaar

Penang road cendol

-- Komtar Timur

Prangin mall

Masjid Pintal Tali

Ghee hin hall of heroes

Prangin canal

Sia boey

-- Lebuh carnarvon

Li Teik Seah Building

Penang Tourism Information Center

Penang islamic museum

Sun Yat Sen Penang Base

Campbell street market

-- Kampung kolam

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Noordin family tomb

Khoo Kongsi House

Cheah kongsi

Lim kongsi

Yap kongsi

Choo chay keong temple

Hock teik cheng sin temple

Acheen street mosque

Gudang acheh

-- Mahkamah

Church of St. George (St. George "s Church)

Kuan yin teng

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Supreme court

Chinese chamber of commerce

Bank negara malaysia

-- Dewan sri pinang

Dewan sri pinang

Town hall

City hall

Supreme court

Logan memorial

Cenotaph

-- Kota cornwallis

State assembly building

House of Yeap Chor Ee

Foo tye sin mansion

Fort Cornwallis (incl. Francis Light statue and lighthouse)

-- Lebuh downing

General post office

Islamic Council Building

HSBC Building

Standard chartered building

Shoppingandthe shops

For shopping on Penang it is better to go to the island's capital - the city of Georgetown. Georgetown is the right place for shopping. Here you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs, clothes and shoes in small shops and large multi-storey shopping complexes of the city.

Jalan Penang Street is a continuous chain of souvenir shops and shops, large shopping centers. Here is also located one of the largest Comtar stores, which offers almost everything from electronics to world-famous clothing brands.

There are many shops in the Penang Road area that sell handicrafts and antiques. You can bargain with local street vendors on nearby Leboch Campbell Street. There are also many shops in the vicinity of Rope Walk and Love Lane. In search of antiques it is better to go in the area of \u200b\u200bJalan-Masjid-Kapitan-Keling, Lebuh-Chulio and Lebuh-Pantai streets.

On the old shopping streets of the city you can buy something that can not be found in any shopping center. Here is a paradise for lovers of antiquity. Handicrafts, jewelry and fabrics, clothes, antique items made of wood and tin can all be found on Lebuh Penang, Jalan Campbell and Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling Streets.

Interesting souvenirs from the island are considered chips for playing mahjong or Chinese nameplates.

Cuisine and Restaurants in Georgetown

The local cuisine is really diverse. Here you can dine Malaysian, have a bite to eat Chinese or Japanese cuisine, and dine with North African dishes.

Among the many restaurants in the city can be distinguished Nyonya cuisine. The place is famous for its Chinese dishes with spices, especially curry and chilli and Malaysian spices. It is worth trying dishes such as otak - otak (fish wrapped in banana leaves) and the sour and spicy taste of kerabu (seasoned with lemon herbs, chili and coconut shrimp). The dishes here have a slightly harsh citrus flavor, which does not spoil them at all, but rather, on the contrary, gives them a special piquancy.

East Xiamen Delicacies  - This is a small and cozy art cafe, where there are antique sewing tables, and the floors are decorated with antique tiles. The unique atmosphere of this place harmoniously combines with interesting and tasty dishes prepared according to old home recipes. Here you can try teochew lor ark (braised duck with rice), mangkuang (vegetarian dumplings with minced beans and green onions) and, finally, kuang cheang Teluk Anson (sweet potato mixed with peanuts, soybeans and deep-fried).

The restaurant offers relaxing and listening to live music. Opera. The stylish atmosphere of this place, in the interior of which East and West merge, gives it a special charm. Here you can taste both national cuisine and Western.

It is believed that in Georgetown, on Gerney Drive, you can try some of the best dishes of traditional Malaysian cuisine. For example, small kebabs-sate, flat fried char-kue-chiao noodles and spring rolls with popi vegetable filling.

Industry and infrastructure

Georgetown is one of the most important ports in Malaysia, a place of transshipment of agricultural products and rubber.

There is a Tin-smelting plant, rubber is being processed, food (coconut oil production, etc.), light industry, and electronics are developed. A significant part of the population is engaged in the service sector - trade and transport. Seaside resort. Large shopping center.

In Georgetown, the World Fish Center and the University of Natural Sciences of Malaysia are located (about the University where I work, read in detail with photos here: http://world.lib.ru/n/nazarow_m_w/university.shtml )

Attractions outside the capital:

Penang Mountain  (Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill)

From the top of Mount Penang, located south-west of Georgetown, the most wonderful view of the city, the Penang Bridge, and the whole island, opens. Especially good view in the dark, when the city and the bridge lights up. For this, an observation deck is equipped at the top. You can also have lunch or dinner at the top. Of course, climbing to a peak of 833 meters on foot is not necessary. You can use the special funicular railway called the Penang Hill Railway, which was updated in 2011. For the laziest, there are excursions up in jeeps.

However, no funicular or jeep can replace walking along winding paths surrounded by rainforests. The climb is quite difficult and takes 2-3 hours, but it is worth it. Remember to stock up with enough drinking water. One of the most convenient points for climbing is located next to the Botanical Garden, as well as inside the garden.

At the top is Hotel Bellevue Penang Hill, equated with 3 stars. If you like it upstairs, you can always stay there. The cost of hotel accommodation is from RM150 per day.

Admission:  Entrance to the observation deck itself is free, and going up and down by rail will cost RM30 for adults and RM15 for children. For families of 2 adults and 2 children, a special price of RM70 applies for all.

Working hours:train cars depart every 30 minutes on weekdays from 6:30 to 20:00 and on weekends from 6:30 to 21:00.

How to get there  You can get here by bus N204, which leaves from  Weld Quay stations   and goes through the Komtar station. You need to go to the final stop.

Orchid Garden;

Located in the south of the island, not far from the Temple of Serpents

Tropical fruit farm  (Tropical Fruit Farm)

A great place to learn how all those unusual grow exotic fruits which you will meet in Southeast Asia. You can try these fruits in the freshest form or freshly squeezed juice from them, and buy them at affordable prices. It offers a wonderful view of the west coast of the island.

The only inconvenience: you have to get here by bus with a transfer.

Admission:  RM28 for adults, RM20 for children.

Working hours: 9:00 - 17:00.

How to get there  To get here by bus N101 from Weld Quay or Komtar you first need to get to the Teluk Bahang stop, and from there transfer to the N501 bus.

Aviana park (Penang Bird Park)

Despite its name, the bird park is not located on Penang Island, but on the mainland in Penang. But do not be afraid, the park is located very close, and it is very easy to get here from the island.

The park as a whole is small (it can not be compared in size with the park of Birds of Kuala Lumpur ( http://world.lib.ru/n/nazarow_m_w/birdpark.shtml ), but quite interesting. If you do not have enough time or will not be able to visit the bird park in Kuala Lumpur, then it is definitely worth a look. A very beautiful man-made landscape has been created here, and just a walk along the shady alleys between small ponds surrounded by rare species of orchids, hibiscus and other plants will give you pleasure. For more than 300 species of exotic birds, they tried to create such conditions so that they feel as if they were free. A lot of birds fly freely in the park, and a highly stretched net does not allow them to fly away. At 11:30 a bird show is organized: parrots throw balls into a miniature basketball basket, guess which ball the ball is hidden under, clean garbage in a special bucket, etc. In addition to birds in the park, crocodiles live, one of them is of gigantic size, the others are smaller. There are pythons, deer and other animals, clearly not like birds.

Working hours:  daily without days off from 9:00 to 19:00.

Admission:  Adult ticket - RM29; children's ticket (up to 12 years old) - RM10. One more RM is taken from each camera

How to get there  The bird park is located on the mainland of Penang, near the Penang Bridge.

Butterfly Park.

In this picturesque tropical park, despite the name, it contains not only 5 thousand butterflies of various species, but also other insects and animals. Among them are bees, scorpions, spiders, water dragons, geckos, giant millipedes, snakes and other reptiles. There is also a gift shop and cafe. The price for visiting the park is quite high, but the tour will be very informative and interesting.

Working hours:Butterfly Park is open seven days a week from 9:00 to 18:00.

Admission:  Entrance for adults - RM27, for children - RM12. Children under 4 years old are free.

How to get there  You can get on the N101 bus from Weld Quay, which, like all buses, goes through Komtar. You need to go to the final, and better to the penultimate (Jalan Teluk Bahang) stop.

Temple of the Serpent.

This is one of the most famous and interesting temples. But it is not interesting in its architecture. History says that the temple was built on the site of the house of a very pious man, a Buddhist priest Chor Soo Kong, who gave shelter in his home to all the animals, including poisonous snakes. In 1850, a temple was built on the site of the house in memory of the priest, and since then snakes have settled in the temple.

Here, on certain days according to the Chinese calendar, a huge number of snakes crawl, filling literally every corner of it. Until now, no one can explain why, only on certain dates according to the Chinese calendar, these poisonous reptiles crawl into the temple. On ordinary days, you can also see several snakes curled in rings on the altar, raise them, wrap their arms around their necks and arms to capture this in sensational photographs;

Admission:  Entrance to the Temple is free; entrance to the RM5 Museum.

Working hours:from 9:00 to 18:00.

How to get there  The temple is located in the south of the island on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Street near the airport. You can get here by buses 401 and 401A, which depart from KOMTAR station. You need to get off at the bus stop opposite the Osram building. If you miss, you can exit at the airport terminal, but you will have to walk for 2 kilometers, so you better ask the locals where to go.

Botanical Garden

This place is known as Waterfall Gardens because of the waterfall here. The park is popular among locals who like to stroll through the gardens, do morning exercises and jogs here. It is very pleasant to spend several hours of your time here, just walking and getting to know the nature of the island. Monkeys live in the park, so keep a close eye on your belongings.

There are several convenient points to start climbing Mount Penang.

Admission:  Entrance to the gardens is free.

Working hours:from 5:00 to 20:00.

How to get there You can get to the botanical garden from Weld Quay or Komtar by bus N10, but this route runs extremely rarely (about once per hour). Botanical Garden - Terminus of bus N10. If you do not want to lose a lot of time, it is better to use a taxi

The operating monastery of Supreme Bliss

(Kek Lok Si or Temple of Supreme Bliss)

A masterpiece of architecture throughout Southeast Asia is the Chinese temple Kek Lok Si. He is the largest Buddhist temple in the region. This is true, and I would recommend visiting it first!

The temple was founded in 1890. Work on its construction lasted 20 years and until now it is active. The mixture of Chinese, Burmese and Thai styles in architecture is fascinating at first sight. Its octagonal base resembles a pagoda. The rich interior of the temple and the enormous size of the statue of the goddess of mercy Guan Yin make a great impression. There is a belief that everyone who feeds the turtles living in the pond in the temple will live several years longer. In front of the temple there is a prayer square, where there are prayer halls and pagodas with Buddha sculptures. Here stands the very beautiful seven-peak pagoda Ban Pa Thar.

Working hours:The temple is open to visitors seven days a week.

Admission:  Entrance to the temple is free. Entrance to the RM2 Pagoda

How to get there  The temple is located in the small town of Air Itam in the center of the island. You can get to the temple by bus N203 from Weld Quay or Komtar. You need to go to the final stop

A few kilometers west of Georgetown built a new State Mosque  - A modern architectural structure, crowned with a sparkling gold dome. This is the largest mosque on the island, capable of accommodating 5 thousand worshipers at the same time.

Penang Bridge

The symbol of Penang is the Penang bridge connecting the island and the mainland. Its length above the water is 8.4 kilometers, and the total length is 13.5 kilometers. It is one of the longest bridges in Asia, the third longest in the world.

The bridge offers a wonderful view of Georgetown and the port, from here you can take wonderful photos. If time permits, be sure to visit this place before and after sunset. Just keep in mind that vehicles are not allowed to stop on the bridge, so it’s best to go by bike or motorcycle.

Working hours:  Around the clock.

Admission:  Drive over the bridge by car RM 7, back for free

From Penang, trips to the water park are organized. Lake Town Resort, which is a 35-minute drive from the 13.5 km long bridge connecting Penang to the mainland. Here, in addition to many attractions, on the island Orang Utan,  Guests will meet with the charming young orangutan Otan, who, during a lunch of tourists, is served a separate fruit table. There are 27 orangutans living on the island, a fee of RM 28, for each orangutag by rintgit and one RM, probably a minister equal in rights to orangutans.

Marine park Pulau Payar  located in the northern part of the Strait of Malacca. To the island of Pulau Payar sail from the islands of Langkawi 35 kilometers, and from Penang Island - about 75 kilometers.We are waiting for good weather and clear water, we’ll definitely swim in the near future and place a link to the report.

Penang beaches

Batu Ferringhi Beach  (Batu Ferringhi or Batu Ferringgi)

Batu Ferring Beach

Batu Ferring is a small town at the northernmost tip of the island. It is considered the most popular beach destination on the island among tourists. A large number of beach hotels, a sufficient number of nightlife and restaurants are concentrated here. A large number of water sports are organized on the beaches. They flew on a paraglider behind a motor boat. Price RM 80.

The beach is quite clean and tidy, stretching over 2 kilometers. Throughout the beach, the slope of the bottom varies, but mostly it is quite sharp. Accordingly, waves form only a few meters off the coast, and the influence of low tides is negligible.

The only drawback of accommodation here is the distance of about 10 kilometers along the road to Georgetown. But in which case you can make raids there, including by public transport. The Rapid Penang N101 bus follows from the station.  Weld Quay via Komtar Station . The fare will cost RM2.7.

Maybe we are already spoiled by beaches on different islands and in different countries, but I would not recommend coming to Penang for a beach holiday. First of all, very muddy water, the color of coffee with milk, no visibility. Boring sandy bottom, no coral reefs (in any case, we have not seen them yet). And it is on the best beach! Reefs and corals were seen only in the Marine Department of our university, but you can swim to it by boat and only to university staff.

Tanjung Bungah Beach  (Tanjung Bungah or Tanjong Bungah)

The beaches of this resort place are not considered as good as on the popular Batu Ferringhi, but Tanjung Bungah is located two times closer to Georgetown, just 5 kilometers from the city center on the northern coast of the island.

Of course, proximity to a growing and developing city makes itself felt. On the beach, it is not uncommon for garbage tossed ashore by waves, jellyfish. For unknown reasons, sewage attracts many jellyfish to the Tanjung Bungah coast, so many tourists do not recognize this area as a beach area and stay in it as a middle option, from where you can reach Georgetown and the closer and cleaner Batu Ferringhi.

Of course, you should choose it, but we would advise you to settle in a hotel in this place only if you do not put beach rest in the first place and are ready to limit yourself to sunbathing by the pool.

You can get here by Rapid Penang N101, 103 and 104 buses from Weld Quay and Komtar.

Tanjung Tokong Beach  (Tanjung Tokong)

In my opinion, this place should not be called a beach holiday destination, but rather just a tourist area. It is located almost close to Georgetown on the north coast of the island.

Choose this place if you want to be in Georgetown and at the same time get a relaxing holiday a little further from the sheer city bustle.

You can get here by bus Rapid Penang N101, 103 and 104.

Bayan Lepas District  (Bayan Lepas)

This area is located on the road from the airport to Georgetown, almost at the airport itself. It is hard to imagine why tourists should stay here, there is neither a beach (small sandy and not very clean), nor attractions (except perhaps the Snake Temple), but hotels are nonetheless located here.

The most famous beaches (from the directories): Teluk Bahang (the “embers bay”) on the western outskirts of the island, Tanjung Bungah (overhanging cliffs) with giant reefs and lush vegetation and Telun Bahang with its secluded coves. We have not been here yet, so no comment so far.

17.03.2012

In more detail with all questions related to budget trips to Malaysia, with options for choosing interesting and unusual islands, with diving and snorkeling, with the dangers and surprises that await you, etc., you can get acquainted in the book: " MALAYSIA"

The collection includes stories about life and work in the wonderful country of Malaysia. During the year we traveled by car to almost the whole country. We visited difficult mountain areas where the oldest jungle on the planet grows, found the largest flowers in the world - rafflesia, visited many islands, both on the East and West coasts with great diving, swam with sharks, admired wonderful coral reefs , and, of course, got acquainted with the original and peculiar culture and life of Malaysia. This collection can serve and it really serves as a detailed guide to Malaysia and its islands. The book will be interesting for both tourists and divers, as here all the most interesting places for scuba diving are described in detail. The book has 587 pages and a large number of photographs.  Quoted1\u003e\u003e If you liked our article, please share it with your friends in social networks. Thanks.

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