A bit of a washout on the beach front, Penang scores points for its diversity. The Malaysian island set off the peninsular mainland's northwestern coast is a classic multicultural hotchpotch.
Seemingly every nation you can imagine, from India to Holland, has made its mark on the island. The repeated immigration is reflected by a wide genetic social mix, a mosaic of temples representing every faith you can think of, exotic gardens, and a rich choice of food.
Just do not expect much in the way of fine dining. The style is more stalls and hole-in-the-wall efforts selling fresh piquant fare. Take your pick from Indian, Chinese, Thai, Korean and well, Malaysian food, which feels like 15 cuisine types thrown together – and in a way it is. Call it fusion.
Bland beaches aside, character saturates the fabric of Penang. The nickname that the island shares with Goa, 'Pearl of the Orient', seems too pure and simple. 'Prism of the Orient' fits better.
Penang top five attractions
Georgetown
1. Penang's capital, Georgetown, is the main tourist draw. Visitors are lured by the rows of quaint pre-Second World War houses plus 19th-century churches, temples, mosques, and colonial buildings. Then, there is the food. Humming street stalls and a wealth of mostly low-key restaurants sell cheap zingy food that reflects Penang's reputation as Malaysia's 'food paradise'.
2. Fort Cornwallis
A star-shaped semi-ruin, Fort Cornwallis stands on the site where Penang founder Captain Francis Light first landed in 1786. The fort was first cobbled together in 1793.
In 1810, in a stab at atoning for initial strategic planning blunders, the fort was rebuilt. What remains are the outer walls, a dinky chapel and a gunpowder 'magazine' (ammo storehouse). Instead of gunpowder and cannonballs, the magazine contains a display of old photos and historical accounts of manoeuvres conducted in the old fort.
3. Reclining Buddha temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram)
This Siamese temple contains a giant lavishly painted reclining giant Buddha with a curiously androgynous look. The 'Wat Chaya' Buddha is one of Penang's most captivating sights. In a bonus, over the road stands a Burmese temple, Dhamikarama, which competes admirably in the splendour stakes. In fact, Dhamikarama is equally stunning. Better yet, admission to both temples is free.
4. Penang Butterfly Farm
No matter how old you get, the sight of a butterfly is always a lift. The island's butterfly farm contains a vast array of tropical butterflies and rare tropical insects along with scorpions, snakes, fish, lizards, and other reptiles. Admission: RM20 for Adult and RM10 for children. 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Pahang. Tel : +60 4 885-1253. Opens 365 days a year, Mon–Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat, Sun and public holidays 9am–6pm.
5. Bukit Jambul orchid, hibiscus and reptile garden
Like another wild Penang attraction – Snake Temple – this garden with a difference lies about 10 minutes from Penang International Airport. At the garden, you can pose for a picture with a rare albino python or watch the snake show on weekends and public holidays.
11:30am-3:30pm. Adult RM5 and children RM2. Persiaran Bukit Jambul. Phone: +60 4 644-8863. Daily 9:30AM-6:30PM (last admission at 5:30pm).
PS: Penang can seem like an island state or country in its own right. Other enticing stops on its territory include one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si along with Little India, the scenic peak of Penang Hill, Penang Bird Park, and Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, which is threaded with trails leading to beaches. Along the trails, you may see rare flowers, monkeys nattering in the trees, sea eagles eyeing their prey, even a Hawksbill turtle striking out toward the horizon.
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