Absolute Asia/Destinations/Malaysia/Penang
The Essence of Penang
Discover the best of Penang, Malaysia—from historic George Town and stunning temples to vibrant street food and scenic hills.
Penang is one of the most exciting destinations in Malaysia: a marriage of old world charm and modern energy. Its history, culture, and food is plentiful and welcoming. Colonial architecture rubs shoulders with colourful street art, and with every meal, a new adventure awaits. George Town, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is definitely worth visiting for anyone travelling throughout Southeast Asia.
Our Top Suggestions of Things to Do in Penang
- Visit Fort Cornwallis: Fort Cornwallis is the largest surviving fort in Malaysia, with a star shape, built by the British East India Company in the late 1700s. History lovers and curious wanderers will find this one-of-a-kind stop fascinating.
- Stroll through the Botanical Gardens: Take a break from the frenzy of the city and stroll through Penang’s Botanical Gardens, or Waterfall Gardens. You’ll encounter tropical vegetation, orchids, and maybe even long-tailed macaques and giant squirrels.
- Take the Funicular to the summit of Penang Hill: Ride the funicular railway and head to Penang Hill for cooler temperatures and unbeatable views. There are walking trails, colonial mansions, and an opportunity to escape the busy city.
- Visit Entopia (Penang Butterfly Farm): Entopia is a gorgeous family-friendly park that has thousands of butterflies and insects. There are a variety of interactive exhibits, and well as activities, all of which both kids and adults will enjoy.
- Experience Kek Lok Si Temple: You can’t miss Kek Lok Si Temple, which is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. The Temple of Supreme Bliss is known for having over 10,000 Buddhas in the area, and the views of the island are quite spectacular.
- Check out the Snake Temple: The Snake Temple, which is home to real vipers sleeping on the altars and wandering amongst the incense clouds, truly offers one-of-a-kind sight. This temple may be the only one of its kind in the world.
- Eat Penang Food: Penang is known as a food culture, with a large emphasis on Nyonya food a mixture of Chinese and Malay flavours. It is hard to describe Penang Nyonya food because it offers a flavourful and tangy meal, with fruit flavours that is truly unforgettable. Don’t forget about the legendary Penang street food, from char kway teow to asam laksa.
- Walk around George Town: George Town is the spirit of Penang, and visiting George Town is beholding colonial architecture, Chinese and Indian architecture, colourful street art, and the laid-back island culture of the town make it a UNESCO World Heritage site Just walk the street, find a café, and enjoy the creative spirit of the community.
Getting to and Around Penang:
- There are several ways to easily get to both George Town and Penang, as Penang Island is connected to the mainland by one of Asia’s longest bridges (8.4 miles long) and a fast ferry service. There is inexpensive and plentiful transportation around Penang Island. The transportation options include local buses, taxis, and taxi-hail services.
Allow Absolute Asia Tours To Create your Ideal Adventure in Penang
Are you ready to take advantage of all Penang has to offer? Absolute Asia Tours can develop a customized itinerary for your visit whether you want a guided tour of the historical sites in George Town, a foodie tour of Penang‘s famous night markets, or a family day at Penang Hill and Entopia. We do all the planning so that you can relax and enjoy everything this incredible place has to offer.
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DiscoverYour Route Through Penang
Map of places to visit in Malaysia
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