Penang – An Island Of Wonders

Penang is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world and one of the island getaways which you should be visit once in your lifetime. One thing that travelers can agree on is that there is no shortage of beautiful getaways across the world to visit. If you can find the time then visiting different parts of the world, like Penang in Southeast-Asia, will elevate your mind. In this segment we are going to travel to the “Pearl of the Orient” known as Penang, Malaysia, which has been rated No.8 in the world’s top 40 holiday locations and is among the most interesting island getaways.

The island is so popular that Queen Elizabeth II has visited and Penang has been ranked by Yahoo Travel as “10 Islands to Explore Before You Die“. In 2009 the tourist count peak at 5.96 million during that year.

Penang hotels are full of variety; you can find boutique hotels made from old historic mansions, many backpacker options, as well as luxury beach resorts.

Penang is a state located within Malaysia and is on the Northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The two bordering states are Kedah and Perak. The population within Penang is within the highest in Malaysia and the ethnic composition is mostly Chinese being 45.6%. Communicating with people is not difficult since British English is majority spoken which is the same throughout Malaysia.

Every year thousands of people come to experience the awesome cultural heritage and scenery and this makes Penang the second busiest country right after Kuala Lumpur. On July 2007, George Town, Penang which is the main tourist attraction was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage recognition by the committee. Each culture on Penang island brings a completely different experience, for example, food, people, historical relevance and festivals.

Explore Penang’s Wonders.

Discover George Towns city wonders: old heritage mansions and temples, Little India and Weld Quay. Observe ancient craftsmanship like joss stick and Songkok makers, Indian flower garland weavers and Chinese signboard wood engravers. Uncover Penang’s natural wonders: take a boat ride to animal like rock formations and a lake with two different layers of water that will never mix.

The climate and weather in Penang Malaysia is very tropical which is universal throughout Malaysia. During monsoon season which normally from September to April, Penang does have spurts of rain so if you want to avoid rain altogether then just visit during the dry season. Since Penang has some of the most beautiful beaches the climate depends much on the water and wind system, however overall it is a tropical state with much sun to offer.

Penang’s Famed Beaches.

In reference to beaches, the most popular include the Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah which are lined across with the most luxurious hotel & resort clubs. Many tourists who can afford to drop more money on their vacation will most of the time opt to live in hotels along these two beaches instead of hotels located more in the city.

If you’re looking for privacy, tranquility and quiet moments, Teluk Duyung or Monkey Beach offers flat and sandy beaches together with the cleanest water around the island. Monkey beach is hidden within the Penang National Park, you can reach it within 20 minutes ride by boat from Batu Ferringhi.

Asia’s Greatest Street Food City.

One thing that I’ve personally loved when vacationing in another country is trying the food. It’s always great to experience a taste different than the one you are used at home. First, Penang has some of the best street food in Asia and the food style reflects many different cultures. Penang food has a Chinese, Indian, Thailand and Malayan mix to it which gives it a completely different taste than anywhere else in the world. When you arrive in Penang there are a few locations which have established a reputation for having the best food. Along Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, New Lane and Chulia Street are markets, restaurants and hawker stalls where you can get the real Penang experience so be sure to include these places within your itinerary.

If you love to shop.

You’re not going to have a problem finding malls within Penang because there are several modern shopping malls around. The popular ones include Queensbay Mall, Gurney Plaza and a brand new mall recently completed called Avenue Penang. The shopping offers everything from electronics, textiles and food stuff. Penang´s biggest flea market at Lorong Kulit sells anything and everything and has gained quite a reputation among locals and tourists alike. The local currency in Penang is Malaysian Ringgit which equals 3.19 Ringgit for $1 USD at the moment. Depending on what you are buying and where you’re flying in from, if your country has a powerful dollar compared to the Ringgit than purchases can be much cheaper here than in your home town.

Penang is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world and one of the island getaways which you should be visit once in your lifetime. This was even stated by Yahoo Travel who for years now has been pioneers in travel ratings. To fully appreciate the culture, food and art, it’s important to do your research before arriving because there are so many things to do and you may have very little time. You can even arrange a tour guide when you arrive who is familiar with the region to take you around.