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May 27, 2016
Penang, Malaysia
GPS waypoint: 5°24'52.4"N 100°19'47.1"E
Penang
Hands down, Penang is the undisputed food capital of Malaysia. Food permeates deep into the city culture as vendors, hawkers and restauranteurs hold on to their proprietary recipes of the much-coveted Koay Teoy dish and other time-tested regional specialties steeped in gastronomic tradition. New and innovative kitchen artisans whip up new and exciting food concept like gourmet marshmallows. Influx of food lovers spawned creative pursuits like street art that surprise the unsuspecting walk-about traveler on obscure and narrow streets. Penang is a vibrant place to meet people, indulge your taste buds and be immersed in the artistic scene!
Chinese Majority
Like most of Malaysia, there are 3 main ethnic groups all co-existing comfortably well with one another - the Muslim Malays who have the majority, the Hindi Indians and the Chinese. However, in Penang, it's a Chinese majority - think of it as a big Chinatown.
Sense of Bearing
When travelers mention Penang, they usually refer to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Georgetown in Penang Island. This is also the place where most travelers and tourists cluster for hotels, tour bookings, street art, etc. The essential places are walking distance within this heritage site. You get to Georgetown by taking the ferry from Butterworth on the mainland. There are also buses crossing the bridge to get to Georgetown.
 slice of life in Penang
Brief History
- 14th century - Portuguese traded on the island of Penang
- 15th century - Chinese explored Penang Island and stayed there. Now, they are the ethnic majority despite Malaysia being a muslim country
- 1786 - the British established their first settlement in Southeast Asia in Penang. This explains the many well-preserved heritage buildings with British architecture specially the area surrounding the Esplanade Park
- 1821 - Thai empire expands into Kedah, which includes Penang
- 1824 - the British and Dutch agreed over its colonies - the British took over Malaysia while the Dutch took over Indonesia
- 1840 - Penang becomes an important trade centre with the discovery of tin
- 1941 - WWII, Penang suffers heavy bombardment by the Japanese. The British capitulated, awakening the locals' realization that the British are not afterall, invincible
- 1945 - Japan is defeated. The British resumed control of Malaysia including Penang. But this time, the locals no longer feel the superiority of the British after their capitulation from the Japanese. This spurred a movement for independence
- 1957 - Malaya gains independence
- 2004 - TIME magazine accords Penang the Best Street Food in Asia award. Penang is still widely regarded as a food destination in Asia and the food capital of Malaysia. In the same year, a tsunami devastated Penang with heavy casualties
- 2008 - Georgetown, the capital of Penang, has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its colonial shophouses. This stamped Penang as a global destination
- 2009 - Penang Street Art came to life when the government sponsored an international art competition to brand Penang from its recent inclusion as a World Heritage Site. Street art continues in popularity as more and more building walls are painted with street art
--- TheLoneRider
Google Map
 Penang, Malaysia
 tourist attractions
Batu Ferringhi - beach resort town 30 minutes from Georgetown
Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut) at the National Park (Taman Negara) - free admission, beach, camping, trekking and maybe you get to see a turtle lay eggs
Penang Hill - panoramic view of Penang from 830 meters above sea level
Hours: 6:30am–10:30pm,
Phone: +60 19-750 2139
Botanical Gardens - developed in 1884, the garden is 29 hectares of prime evergreen tropical rain forests just on the outskirt of Georgetown
10470 George Town, Penang | 5am–9pm | +60 4-227 0428
Penang National Park - with 2,562 hectares, the park is home to 46 species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers, white-breasted waterhens and great egrets. The sandy beach of Pantai Kerachut is also a nesting place of Green turtles from April to August Pinang Peranakan Mansion - a stately home has been renovated to back to its former glory to showcase the opulence, lifestyle and times of the Peranakan a century ago. Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission: MYR20.00 Dark Mansion - 3D Glow In The Dark Museum - modern interactive 3D art Museum with the "Glow in the Dark" theme | 145, Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 Georgetown, Penang | Adult MYR 18, kids MYR 10 | Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 18:30, Sat-Sun: 10:00 - 21:30
 - hotel
 Le Dream Boutique Hotel - central location, fitness gym, jacuzzi, compli wine hour, all day treats, movie nights
139, Jalan Pintai Tali, Georgetown - 5°24'55.9"N 100°19'58.4"E Just Inn - central location, clean, affordable, helpful and friendly staff
155,157,159, Carnarvon Street, 10100 George Town, Malaysia - 5°24'53.8"N 100°20'05.3"E
 - restaurant
 My Voice - Big Bowl Ramen - 2 locations to serve you, biggest ramen bowl for everyone to join
- C-5-1, Lorong Bayan Indah 3 Bay Avenue, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, George Town
 Penang Chew Jetty
Penang FYI / Tips
- the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is in Georgetown's Old City (the UNESCO Heritage Site area). Any lodging in Old City puts you in the heart of things
- getting around Penang by bus is convenient as there are many buses to several destinations. However, the bus takes the longest and circuitous route so be prepared for a long ride. For more information about Penang buses, go to Rapid Penang
- train - with the modern ETS fast train, the travel time has been reduced to 3 hours 50 minutes. It's not necessary to take the sleeping train or bus anymore. And you can buy train tickets online at the KTMB website **. Go to KL Sentral and buy your ticket at the KTM InterCity office on the 2nd level, B79. Wait in the waiting area until the train comes and the staff opens up the gate to let you down to board the train - 3 hours, 50 minutes. ETS train schedule
- ferry - from the train station, it is a 5-min walk to the ferry station (Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal) to board the ferry for Georgetown - 20 minutes, MYR 1.20. Ferry leaves every 40 mins. First ferry from Georgetown departs 5:40 a.m. and last ferry departs 1:00 a.m. From Butterworth, first ferry departs 5:20 a.m. and last ferry departs 12:40 a.m.
- bus - from the Jetty (Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal, aka - Jetty), walk to the bus terminal in Georgetown for a trip to the city center. There is a free bus - Free Cat, which takes you around the Old City of Georgetown, where most of the backpacker hostels are located. The free bus departs every 15 minutes. The free Jetty-Georgetown bus takes a different route from the Georgetown-Jetty free bus
** I initially booked the train ticket with Easybook.com. They confirmed it by email and charged me for it. They said a 2nd email will come with my seat number. The 2nd email never came. When I had the confirmation email checked at the KTMB office on my departure, they said my purchase was not on their system. I had to buy another ticket. I later complained to Easybook.com and requested them to reverse the charge. They arrogantly said they don't do refunds. You'd been warned!
- food - needless to say, there is no bad food in Penang. Every local has a recommendation on the must-haves, the food bloggers all have their opinion on where to eat and what to eat. But again, you don't have to search far and wide - the eating stall across you is probably a good bet already
- street art - in Georgetown, there are numerous street art adorning the walls. Walk around and be surprised. There is even a Penang street map devoted to street art - ask for one from your hotel concierge
- Batu Ferringhi - beach resort town 30 minutes from Georgetown, MYR 2.70 by 101 Rapid Penang Bus
- Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut) at the National Park (Taman Negara) - free admission, beach, camping, trekking and maybe you get to see a turtle lay eggs, MYR 4 by 101 Rapid Penang Bus, 1.5 hours, 22 kms
 Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) - 6 kms, bus 204, 1 hour, MYR2 from Comtar to Penang Hill. Penang Hill rises 833 meters up a tram system. It covers several hills and could take a whole day to explore on foot. Tram fee MYR30 round trip- Botanical Gardens - developed in 1884, the garden is 29 hectares of prime evergreen tropical rain forests just on the outskirt of Georgetown. 10470 George Town, Penang | 5am–9pm | +60 4-227 0428
- Penang National Park - with 2,562 hectares, the park is home to 46 species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers, white-breasted waterhens and great egrets. The sandy beach of Pantai Kerachut is also a nesting place of Green turtles from April to August. Phone: +60 4-881 3530
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion - a stately home has been renovated to back to its former glory to showcase the opulence, lifestyle and times of the Peranakan a century ago. Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission: MYR20.00
- Dark Mansion - 3D Glow In The Dark Museum - modern interactive 3D art Museum with the "Glow in the Dark" theme | 145, Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 Georgetown, Penang | Adult MYR 18, kids MYR 10 | Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 18:30, Sat-Sun: 10:00 - 21:30
- Cameron Highlands -
- Perhentian Islands -
- Langkawi Island -
- Taman Negara -
- Hat Yai -
(US$1 = Malaysian Ringgit 4.116 = Php 46.67 as of June 1, 2016)
- tri-shaw (pedal-powered rickshaw) around the city
- small bottle of beer
- standard price for a soup noodle or rice topping dish
- hot coffee in a decent cafe (cold coffee is more)
- bicycle rental, 8am to 6pm
- coin operated laundry
- local bus rides, no change given, have exact fee
- cheapest dorm room, shared toilet during low season
- one hour, internet cafe
- 1.5 liter drinking water
- ETS fast train from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (Penang pier area)
- standard admission fee for museums for 1 adult. eg - Dark Mansion - 3D Glow In The Dark Museum
- haircut
Currency Converter
Malaysia Blogs
Cameron Highlands
- Cool Climate of Cameron Highlands June 19-23, 2016
Kluang
- Overnight in Kluang, Malaysia Aug 13-14, 2016
Kuala Lumpur
- Funky Flow Yoga with Lora Lorenzo at YogaOneThatIWant Studios July 27, 2016
- Deja Vu Kuala Lumpur with Karine July 21-26, 2016
- Layover in Kuala Lumpur June 22, 2016
- The Kuala Lumpur Experience Jan 21 - Feb 20, 2015
- Police Harassment in Kuala Lumpur Feb 17, 2015
- Visiting Batu Caves of Kuala Lumpur Feb 18, 2015
- Walking Tour of China Town Feb 5, 2015
- Breaking New Ground in Kuala Lumpur Jan 21, 2015
Kuantan
- Goodbye and Thank You Kuantan Apr 13, 2018
- Visiting the Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque Apr 10, 2018
- Visiting the Pahang Art Museum Apr 3, 2018
- Beach Fun at Teluk Cempedak April 1, 2018
- Visiting the Kuantan Mini Zoo April 1, 2018
- High Intensity Interval Training Apr 1, 2018
- Fitness in Kuantan Mar 29, 2018
- Exploring Kuantan, Malaysia Mar 25-, 2018
- Hanging-Out in Kuantan with the Guangzhou 5 Mar 25-26, 2018
- Satipatthana Sutta Vipassana Mar 16-25, 2018
- The 24-Hr Trip from Loboc (Philippines) to Gambang (Malaysia) Mar 15-16, 2018
Malacca
- A First-Timer in Malacca July 28-Aug 8, 2016
- Art Scene of Malacca August 6, 2016
- The River Charm of Malacca August 5, 2016
- About Malacca July 28, 2016
Penang
- Penang (Malaysia) Immersion May 27-Jun 19, 2016
- Exploring the Emergent Cafe Culture of Penang Jun 18, 2016
- Encounters with the Guru-Types of Penang Jun 17, 2016
- Overnight Camping at Turtle Beach Jun 10, 2016
- Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation in Penang Jun 10, 2016
- Daytrip to Batu Ferringhi Jun 9, 2016
- Savouring the Food of Penang May 27 - Jun 6, 2016
- Surreal Glow-in-the-Dark 3D World at Dark Mansion June 3, 2016
- The Animated Street Art of Penang Jun 3, 2016
- Exploring the Lush Greenery of Botanic Gardens May 29, 2016
- Up up and Away to Penang Hill May 28, 2016
- About Penang May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016
»» next Traveling story: Up up and Away to Penang Hill
»» back to Traveling
»» back to Homepage
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