JC. Princen The island of Penang is also a state on the west coast of the peninsula. It is Malaysia’s most famous destination that hardly needs any special explanation. Not only is Georgetown known as a city full of history, but also the long beach of Batu Ferringghi with its beautiful hotels and the wide view of the sea. Pulau Penang, as the full name is, consists of the island and a strip of land on the mainland, Seberang Prai.
As early as 1786, the British set up one of their first trading posts in the Far East here. Today Penang and its capital Georgetown is a very lively world region with a unique mixture of cultures from East and West.
The island is connected to the mainland by the 13.5 km long Penang Bridge, one of the longest bridges in all of Asia. However, if the old-world appeal lures you, take the 24/7 ferry service across.
The ferry departs from Butterworth on the mainland. This is where you buy tickets, the prices of which you can find out on site.
Penang’s Bayan Iepas International Airport is just 20 km from Georgetown. If you prefer to travel by rail, the station is at Butterworth, Seberang Prai, on the mainland.
Tourist Attractions in Penang, Malaysia
Fort Cornwallis
The fort was built by the British after the landing of Captain Francis Light and the occupation of Penang in 1786. Originally it consisted only of palisades and was then provided with massive stone walls in 1804, which are still preserved.
Today the fort serves as an open-air museum as well as an open-air theater, souvenirs and arts and crafts can be found in the former casemates. Here are the old Dutch cannons that were once delivered to the Sultan of Johor, later used and abandoned by the Portuguese, then surfaced in Java and thrown into the sea by pirates before they found their way into the fort. Entry to the fort is RM 1 and it is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Penang Bird Park
In the bird park of Seberang Jaya, about 400 species of exotic birds live in a one and a half hectare park. Not only the feathered treasures from Malaysia can be seen here, but also from the entire tropical world. The bird park was created in a species-appropriate manner and the aviaries ensure an almost natural habitat in the midst of lush plants and the small ponds with the islets in them. Various fascinating orchids and fragrant hibiscus can also be found there as blooming decorations.
The Penang Bird Park is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The orchid and hibiscus garden
This is more than an amusement park that has been set up here on a two-hectare site at Penang’s “Bukit Jambul”. There are not only many orchids and extensive hibiscus hedges, but also a reptile farm, a Japanese pond, a large cactus garden, a pottery, an animal park and artificial water cascades.
The amusement park at Bukit Mertajam
About 18 km from Butterworth on the mainland, the Bukit Mertajam amusement park is located in a hilly area at an altitude of 457 meters above sea level. The park is over 37 hectares and has a variety of rare trees and plants, ferns, wild tropical flowers and orchids. The types of insects, birds and butterflies that can be found here are numerous. You can hike through the rainforest on the well-marked trails and enjoy the exotic ambience.
The Penang Butterfly Farm
A few kilometers north of Batu Feringghi on Bahang Bay is the small but very interesting butterfly farm. Over 100 species of butterflies and other insects live here in a nicely designed park landscape. You can tour the farm every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Penang Hill
A tour of Penang Hill is a must for every visitor, because from up there you have a breathtaking view of the whole island and to the mainland. A mountain railway travels up the 821 meter high local mountain, the ground station is in Air Hitam, a suburb of Georgetown. From 6:30 in the morning, the train runs regularly every half an hour.
The snake temple
This is possibly the only temple of its kind in the world. Numerous lazy snakes curl around the candlesticks and vases on the altars. They are relatively harmless as they are always well fed and tired of the numbing scent of incense sticks. The temple is in the southern suburb of Georgetown; Admission is free.
The Penang Museum and Art Gallery
These facilities are located in the famous Lebuh Farquhar in the city area of Georgetown. They show exhibits on the development of Penang and also give a good insight into its eventful long history. The museum is located in the building of the former “Penang Free School”, which was built in 1821 and has served as a school building until the present day. The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but closed on Fridays from 12:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
The botanical garden
Lush vegetation can be found here, a variety of tropical plants and the dazzling variety of Penang’s flowers. There is also a beautiful waterfall in the 30 hectare area, which was cleverly included when the British laid out the garden. It goes back to Sir Charles Curtis, the first superintendent who collected botanical rarities in the hills of the island, which can be found as important specimens in the largest herbaria in the world. The park is also known for its fat and cheeky rhesus monkeys. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Kek Lok Si Temple
This Buddhist temple at Air Hitam, a southern suburb of Georgetown, is a fascinating mix of Thai and Burmese architectural styles. The entire temple district is one of the largest and most beautiful in all of Southeast Asia.
The Khoo Kongsi clan house
So the forefathers of the Chinese Khoo family emigrated from China to Penang and they built this clan house for their family. The first burned down in 1884, and some believed it was done as a punishment for its deceptive resemblance to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. The current building, inaugurated in 1902, was therefore somewhat more modest, but is still very impressive for the visitor. The building consists of a magnificent hall, decorated with the finest ornaments and carvings, all of which show the initials of the most famous master craftsmen who were specially hired from China to build it. A viewing permit is only granted by the office in the clan house. Usual opening times are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The St. George Church
It is one of the most interesting structures in Georgetown and was inaugurated in 1818. It is named after Saint George, the patron saint of Great Britain. In the anteroom of this Anglican church is the memorial for Captain Francis Light, the founder of the city.
The Sri Mariamman Temple
This Hindu temple was built in 1883 and shows fascinating figures of gods above the main entrance as well as on the facade. Inside is the statue of the god Subramaniam, richly adorned with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. During the annual procession on the occasion of the high Hindu festival Thaipusam, the statue is carried through the whole city to the temple in Jalan Warerfall, where the other ceremonies take place. The temple is open early in the morning until late at night. Always ask the temple servants for permission to enter. A small donation is accepted as a nice gesture.
The Penang Museum and Art Gallery
These facilities are located in the famous Lebuh Farquhar in the city area of Georgetown. They show exhibits on the development of Penang and also give a good insight into its eventful long history. The museum is located in the building of the former “Penang Free School”, which was built in 1821 and has served as a school building until the present day. The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but closed on Fridays from 12:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
