Penang promises complete entertainment, right from its culture to the heritage sites. Regarded as the food capital of Malaysia, it entices visitors with its beautiful coasts and scrumptious cuisines. But beyond the alluring plates and a fun filled island is a wealth of multi ethnic community, whose culture and way of life is a real treat for every visitor.

Penang was originally known as Pulau Pinang which is Malay for “Isle of the Betel Nut”. It was later renamed Penang in 1786, following an ardent persuasion from Captain Francis Light who succeeded in having the Sultan of Kedah cede Pulau to British East India Company.

The historical monuments and museums

Be it ornately designed temples or unique heritage buildings, Penang gives you a glimpse into a world where nature, tradition and history blend into a rich cultural tapestry. The Penang Museum and Art Gallery in George Town which houses the relics, photographs, maps and other artefacts that document the history and culture of the city and its people is worth visiting. The Islamic Museum at the former Syed Alatas Mansion highlights the history of Islam in the city, from its beginnings until today. The tragedy of the Second World War is vividly depicted in the Penang War Museum, a former fortress constructed by the British in anticipation of an amphibious invasion by the Japanese that never materialised. The Universiti Sains Malaysia Museum and Gallery, located within the university campus contains an extensive exhibition relating to ethnographic and performing arts and features various art works by Malaysian artists. A fun place for children is the Penang Toy Museum, located at Tanjung Bungah. The Penang State Art Gallery at Dewan Sri Pinang showcases a permanent collection of local artists as well as special exhibitions. The birthplace of Malaysia’s legendary singer-actor P. Ramlee has been restored and turned into a museum.

The magnificent architecture

Penang’s thrilling colonial architecture has added to its beauty. The clan houses, temples and mosques have formed a major part of tourist centres in Penang. Some of the famous temples include Thee Kong Tua (Jade Emperor’s Temple) in Air Itam, Kek Lok Si Temple, Wat Chayamangkalaram among others.

The contagious beaches

If you are a beach lover, you should head to Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, or Teluk Bahang where some of the best beaches in Penang are located. Tanjung Bungah has grown to be one of the major tourist destinations in Malaysia for its alluring beaches and proximity to other tourist attractions like the Floating Mosque and the Toy Museum.

Adjacent to Tanjung Bungah is the famous beach centre of Penang, Batu Feringgi. Batu Feringgi beaches are clean and warmly, a quality that has attracted setting up of some of the world’s greatest hotels like Hard Rock Hotel among others. But if you prefer running away from all the western life, Teluk Bahang, the fishing village of Penang is your best bet. Apart from just basking on the beaches, you can join the locals in their daily fishing expeditions.

Unforgettable parks

The beautiful parks like the Penang Municipal Park, also known as The Youth Park and the famous Penang Botanic Gardens are a must visit. Penang also boasts a robust bird life and the first aviary in Malaysia, The Penang Bird Park, is located in Seberang Jaya in Penang. Another major attraction for fauna lovers is the Butterfly Farm located in Teluk Bahang. This farm has hosted some of the world’s famous people including the former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and his wife when they visited Penang in 2008. Penang hill is also a major tourist centre in Penang.

The mouth watering cuisine

Penang rightly deserves the title of Malaysia’s food capital. But what make Penang’s cuisine so special is that the best is found on the streets rather than in regular hotels, though of course the hotel production is also a cutting edge. Penang’s menu is rich and long, but to start with, the Nasi Kandar is a hit with both the locals and the tourists. This is basically rice served with a host of curries and dishes prepared from chicken, squid, beef and prawns. Then there are the fried white noodles, the Char Koay Teow, which has been described as the taste of heaven. Hokkien Mee is the all time local favourite not forgetting, a variety of dishes from the Nyonya community, the list goes on.