This islandis rightfully called the "pearl of the East"!
-- Instead of a preface
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-- Weather.
-- Penang map.
-- How to get to Penang
-- A brief history of Penang
-- Where to stay?
-- Public transport.
--
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-- Attractions outside the capital
-- Penang beaches
Instead of a preface
We have to live and work in Penang for at least a year, so I began to collect information about the island and its attractions in advance bit by bit from the Internet, and I hope that it will be regularly updated with my own impressions, and adjusted in the future. The result is a kind of guide to Penang for independent tourists. I experienced it myself. At first, I traveled with him around the island - and he helped me a lot to navigate, I hope, he will help others as well. Prices are constantly changing, so I try to adjust them in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) for 2012. To get an approximate price in dollars, divide by 3. I decided not to overload the guidebook with photographs, they are given in sufficient quantity in the links to my individual stories about the sights of the island. I will also allow myself to express my opinion, which often does not coincide with the opinion of travel companies.
Useful information about the island
Penang Island is located off the northwest coast of Malaysia, lies on the route from China to India and strategically controls the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. In Russian, the name of the island sounds like "the island of Bethel nuts", as there are abundant palm trees that give these fruits. The island is located a few kilometers from the coast and is connected to the mainland by a thirteen-kilometer bridge.
Penang Island is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nion cultures with its colonial past. This is evident in the island's many historical and cultural attractions. Here, old and modern live side by side: rickshaws and the latest cars, colonial mansions and modern villas, ancient temples and skyscrapers.
In Penang, rest is, first of all, acquaintance with the sights, shopping, excursions, entertainment. There are good hotels and a lot of budget accommodation, a variety of restaurants, beautiful temples, parks and gardens. The temples of Penang Island are protected by UNESCO as architectural monuments. Fans of sightseeing will be amazed on the island of Penang by the architectural and historical monuments that have gone back centuries. In fact, each temple in Penang is beautiful and unique in its own way. It seems that every people living in Penang tried to build the most beautiful and luxurious temple. The Temple of the Dragon of the Mountains is the pride of the Chinese, the Anglican Church of St. George is the pride of the English, etc. There are many nightclubs and entertainment venues, restaurants and shopping centers, souvenir shops and night markets.
Beach rest in Penang is concentrated only in certain parts of the island .. The beaches of Penang are a paradise idyll of tranquility and silence - golden sand, clear blue water, small caves fenced off from the outside world by huge boulders. It is on the beaches of Penang that you can understand what a real paradise is, surrounded by peace, silence, golden sand and turquoise waters. (This is information from the travel agency, but according to my first impressions, it is not true! I will write about the beaches of Penang below)
Penang has a population of just over a million, with 60% of the island's inhabitants being Chinese.
Weather.
As in the rest of Malaysia, Penang does not show seasonal fluctuations in weather. During the year, the temperature here is kept at +23 ... 32C, water +26 ... 28C. The air is humid, 70% to 90%
According to the weather, the driest season is winter (December-March), the wettest is summer (May-August). But this does not mean that it will not rain at all in winter. They will, and may be, every day, but they will be local and short-lived. As in summer, there is precipitation every day, but again, they do not pour for days, but for 2-3 hours a day, the rest of the time it can be sunny. We have already personally seen this - a rare day without rain in a dry season!
You can go on vacation to the island at any time of the year, but keep in mind the wet season and high season.
The wet season (rainy season) usually runs from September to November. Sometimes the wet season starts earlier - in August. At this time, heavy rains are frequent and hurricanes can occur. In general, this is not the best time to visit the island, although the weather during this period is very unpredictable for the better, and it may well turn out to be warm and calm for a long time. During this period, prices for travel services come down, so this is the best time for budget travelers.
The second wet season falls in May, but is shorter than October.
The high season (tourist inflow) starts at the end of December and lasts until the Chinese New Year. (Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar, usually the end of January - mid-February). For budget-conscious tourists, this is not the best time, since prices on the island rise significantly for literally everything, and the number of tourists increases dramatically.
Penang map.
(the most detailed map of the area is very useful!)
How to get to Penang
By plane
The island has an international airport - Penang International Airport. It is located 16 kilometers from Georgetown. You can fly here with airlines Air Asia, Firefly, Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Airways, Tiger Airways, Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines. You can fly here very inexpensively with the low cost airlines of Asia - AirAsia. Direct flights are operated from the cities of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and about. Langkawi, as well as from cities in other countries in Southeast Asia.
The cost of a flight purchased in advance on the AirAsia website or other local low-cost airlines is quite competitive with the cost of a bus ticket, and will cost you a little more. For example, a 45-minute flight from KL can be purchased at a promotional rate for RM69 with all fees, while a 6-hour bus ride will cost around RM40. But it should be borne in mind that when flying from the same KL, you still need to get to Kuala Lumpur airport, which will require additional time and money. As a result, the time flight will be slightly faster than moving to Penang by bus directly from the capital.
From Penang Island International Airport, the hotel can be reached by taxi hired from the parking lot at the exit. Taxi by meter or by appointment in Georgetown will cost approximately RM30. You can also order a taxi in the airport arrivals hall in a taxi booth (look for a booth labeled teksi). A trip by such a taxi is carried out at fixed rates: to Georgetown - RM38, and to the farthest north-western part of the island from the airport - RM60.
The cheapest way to get from the airport to Georgetown is by public transportation (Rapid Penang bus system). The bus stop is located right at the exit from the airport on the left, and it is very difficult not to notice the bus waiting there for passengers. Bus routes 401E travel from the airport in Georgetown to the terminal station Weld Quay Bus Terminal (Jetty) via Komtar every 25-35 minutes. Route 102 continues to Batu Ferringhi Beach at the northern tip of the island via Komtar every 60-80 minutes. A trip to Georgetown will cost RM2.7.
Buses leave every 30 minutes from 6 am to 11:30 pm.
Attention! Bus N306 does not run from the airport to Georgetown city center.
By train
There is no railway on the island, but through the city Butterworth a branch of the main railway of Malaysia runs on the coast. The train station is just a short walk from the Butterworth ferry crossing. The ferry goes 20 minutes before Weld Quay (Jetty) in Georgetown and stands RM 1.2 (back, from Georgetown to Butterworth, the ferry takes everyone for free).
Trains in Malaysia are not very fast, and the journey from KL to Butterworth takes over 6 hours. Several trains run daily between Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth, including a very comfortable night train. The fare depends on the class: it starts from RM34 for a seat and goes up to RM138 for a seat in a compartment. The cheapest seats (ASCs) on the train from KL are quite decent, with TV and air conditioning (sometimes even too much), and it makes no sense if you decide to go seated in the more expensive AFC seated class. The only problem when traveling by night train due to unregulated and non-switched off air conditioners (they always work when the electricity is on on the train) - it can be very cold.
You can get information about the schedule and cost of tickets, as well as book a ticket on the website of the Malaysian railways - http://www.ktmb.com.my/.
By bus
The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so getting here by bus is very easy and convenient. Various companies carry out direct flights here from the cities of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore.
The most popular route from Kuala Lumpur takes 5 hours and starts from RM35.
Buses to the island arrive at the Georgetown intercity bus station - Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (Terminal Bas Express SG Nibong), located between the city and the airport. A taxi to the city center from here can be reached for RM20.
In addition to taxis, you can get to the city by public transport. There is a city bus stop right at the exit from the bus station along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Street, and some buses stop right at the station. There you can wait for the city bus N102 (to Batu Feringghi beach via Komtar), N401 and N303 (to Weld Quay via Komtar) The fare to the city is RM2.
Some intercity buses do not end their journey directly in Penang, but in Butterworth, located on the coast. The final stop of these buses is the Butterworth Ferry Terminal. From there to the bus station Weld quay there is a ferry to Georgetown that costs RM1.2 and takes 20 minutes.
On a ferryboat
In Penang, in the city of Georgetown, there is a ferry pier (Jetty), which is very convenient to get from the mainland and from the island of Langkawi. The first ferry from Butterworth to Penang departs at 06:15 and the last at 00:40. From Penang to Butterworth, the first ferry is at 06:28, the last at 01:00. Ferries run very often. The fare from Butterworth is RM1.2, and the ferry from Penang to Butterworth is free. You will have to pay extra for transporting a bicycle, motorcycle, or car. The ferry travel time is 20 minutes.
There is also a ferry service from Langkawi. The crossing time is 2 hours 45 minutes. Price: RM60 for adults, RM45 for children.
Penang-Langkawi Ferry Schedule. Ferries depart daily from Penang at 8.15 and 8.30, from Langkawi at 14.30 and 17.15.
Up-to-date information on the schedule and cost of the ferry is posted on the website http://www.langkawi-ferry.com/
This useful information has been collected from various sources on the Internet, and I think that it will be useful to many.
A brief history of Penang
Once this island belonged to the Sultan of Kedah and was uninhabited until 1786, when the British East India Company decided to establish its trading post here. Since then, Penang has become the first British possession in what is now Malaysia. And in the same year, the Englishman Francis Light founded the capital of the island - the city of Georgetown, naming it in honor of the English Emperor George III. The new owners of Penang immediately spotted a potential resort in this land overgrown with tropical jungle of betel nut palms, and several decades later the Sargsyan brothers opened the first hotels here.
Where to stay?
(information received from the site "Our Planet")
If you are heading to Penang for a beach holiday, it is best to settle in the Batu Feringgi beach area in the north of the island. Tanjung Bungah Beach is also in the north, slightly worse, but closer to Georgetown. There are other beaches along the perimeter of the island, you just have to choose a hotel by location and price. The beaches and their position can be viewed on the above map, and you can choose a beach by reading their brief descriptions in the " Penang beaches"
If you want to be in the thick of things, get acquainted with local sights and cuisine, have access to inexpensive public transport to explore the island's attractions, but at the same time partially abandon the beach holiday, then it is best to settle in the city of Georgetown. Let me remind you that Georgetown is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is packed with historical and cultural attractions.
Tourist (backpacker) area of Geordajtown.
It is the most popular and most conveniently located area for tourist accommodation in Georgetown. If you come to get to know the city, you need to stop here. Most of the hotels of various levels of price and quality are concentrated here. A large number of budget hotels are also located here. City attractions, transport hubs and public transport routes, including a free tourist shuttle bus, are located and pass here.
The area is formed by Chulia Street (Lebuh Chulia), Love Lane (Lorong Love), Leith Street (Lebuh Leith), Penang Road (Jalan Penang) and Transfer Road (Jalan Transfer). Among them, Chulia Street (Lebuh Chulia) is considered the most backpacker. It starts practically from the station Weld quay , but you need to walk a little further down the street, about 500 meters deep into the city to find the most comfortable and inexpensive hotels.
The area around the Komtar Tower in Georgetown (Komtar)
The area around the Komtar tower, located in the city center, is also becoming very popular for budget accommodation. What is good, here you will be close to tourist attractions, the main transport hub of the city, and the largest shopping center Komtar. Almost all city buses come here from the ferry crossing and Weld Quay station (at the foot of the tower there is a bus station Komtar bus Terminal).
Gurney Drive Neighborhood
Quite a good area for accommodation, located within the city, but a little further from the center. There are no particular advantages when locating in this area, except that it is a little cleaner. The surrounding area is mainly high-rise hotels, shopping centers and other high-rise buildings, and therefore the area gives the impression of a more modern city. It is located quite far from the Komtar and Weld Quay transport hubs and city attractions, so you will have to get to them either by taxi or by bus.
Gurney Drive is famous for its open-air restaurants, cafes and food courts, and is the most popular dining destination in Penang.
Public transport.
Moving around the island... Penang has an excellent public transport system Rapid Penang, which allows city buses to get to almost all the main attractions of the island.
BusstationWeld Quay Bus Terminal (Sothe sameJetty), 19-24 Pengkalan Weld, Georgetown. Georgetown City Bus Station. It is practically adjacent to the ferry pier (Jetty). For tourists, this station is also important due to the fact that it is the final stop for the 401E bus coming from the airport. From here, you can walk to the backing area of hotels or the tourist area around the Komtar tower. Almost all city buses in Penang, with rare exceptions, start and end here. To get here from the Georgetown neighborhoods, just take any bus in the city, including the free MPPP Tourist Bus. The main thing is not to confuse the direction of travel from / to the pier. The free MPPP bus runs around the loop, so whichever way you board it, sooner or later you will be at the station.
Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal (Sothe sameTerminal Bas Express SG Nibong)... Intercity bus station. Located approximately halfway between the center of Georgetown and the airport on the eastern (right on the map) coast of the island, at the intersection of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Sungai Dua streets, about one kilometer from the coast.
A taxi to the city center from here can be reached for RM20. In addition to taxis, you can get to the city by public transport. There is a city bus stop right at the exit from the bus station along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Street, and some buses stop right at the station. There you can wait for the city bus N102 (to Batu Feringghi beach via Komtar), N401 and N303 (to Weld Quay via Komtar) The fare to the city is RM2.
Komtar Bus TerminalandbuildingKomtar... At the base of the Komtar Tower (Komtar Tower is the tallest building in Penang, which houses offices and a shopping center), on the ground floor, is the main city bus station. The area around the tower is considered a new tourist area. The tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city.
If you arrive at the bus station Weld Quay Bus Terminal or arrived by ferry to the pier (Jetty), then you can get here on foot, just moving in the direction of the building, which can be seen from anywhere in the city. You can also take any Rapid Penang bus, since all of their routes from Weld Quay go through Komtar.
Boarding buses and movement at the station are organized very logically and clearly. There are five lines, each of which is designed to wait for certain groups (numbers) of buses. Each line is equipped with waiting benches and billboards with traffic maps, route numbers and popular places (including tourist spots) that buses from this line go to. Also, the station has a convenient electronic scoreboard showing bus numbers, their current location and projected arrival time, arrival line.
Please note, the free MPPP tourist bus does not enter the station itself. It stops at a bus stop located just 30 meters from the station.
Pier
-- Ferry pier in Georgetown (Weld Quay, also Jetty)... Penang Marina is very conveniently located right in the city of Georgetown, next to the Weld Quay Bus Terminal, from which you can get to different parts of the city. About ferries coming to the pier ... Almost all city buses in Penang, with rare exceptions, start and end here (at Weld Quay). To get here from the Georgetown neighborhoods, just take any bus in the city, including the free MPPP Tourist Bus. The main thing is not to confuse the direction of travel from / to the pier.
-- Ferry pier at Butterworth... The ferry dock in Butterworth is called the Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal or Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim. There is an intercity bus terminal and the city's railway station next to the pier. Both the train station and the bus terminal are connected to the marina by covered walkways, and directions are marked with signs.
Buses
Penang Island is enmeshed in the Rapid Penang bus network. This public transport network operates successfully on the island and will allow you to explore virtually every corner of the island. Buses run fairly frequently and pick up passengers at well signposted stops.
The main station (terminus) for Rapid Penang is the Komtar Bus Terminal, located at the base of the Komtar Tower. Another important station - Weld Quay (Jetty) ... Almost all Rapid Penang buses departing from Weld Quay travel via Komtar.
You can travel by bus by buying one-time travel tickets, or by purchasing a pass for all routes valid for one week (cost 30 ringgit).
A one-week pass will be a good choice for those who want to actively explore the island, travel a lot, and will not be too lazy to explore the bus route network. The ticket price is RM30, and it will be valid for absolutely all Rapid Penang routes. All you need to do is show your pass at the entrance to the bus. Passes can be purchased at Rapid ticket kiosks, Weld Quay, Komtarm, Penang Sentral, Bukit Jambul bus terminals and at the airport.
When buying single tickets, the cost is calculated based on the length of the route: RM1.4 for the first seven kilometers of travel and reaches a maximum of RM4. Single tickets are purchased from the driver at the entrance to the bus. At the entrance, you should tell the driver to which point you are going, and the driver will tell you how much the journey costs. Payment is not made into the hands of the driver, but money is thrown into a special box after you have shown the required amount to the driver. The driver just rips off your ticket. In this case, change is not issued, since this is not provided for by the rules of the bus company. If you have 10 ringgit in your hands, and you only need to pay 2 ringgit, then you will have to either part with ten, or get off the bus and change money. The bus, of course, will not be waiting for you. So always carry a small change with you.
The drivers are generally very friendly and have a good attitude towards tourists, so at the entrance you can pester them with questions and even show them on the map where you need to go if you are not sure that you are driving correctly. The line at the entrance to the bus will wait patiently while you sort it out, so don't worry. If necessary, ask the driver to announce the stop where you should get off, just do not go far away from him in this case, so that he does not look for you all over the bus.
Bus stops, especially on the streets of Georgetown, are very dense and easy to identify. Most of the stops have information about the routes passing there, which is very convenient if you find yourself in an unfamiliar part of the city.
A free bus map is available at the Rapid Penang Information Kiosk located at Penang Airport, Weld Quay Station and near Komtar Station (about 30 meters away).
You can study the route map and their detailed description on the official website. http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/ ... The site also has a route planner, in which you can set the starting and ending point of the route, and the system will display all possible routes and their cost.
Free tourist bus - shuttle bus (MPPP Rapid Penang, also CAT)
Every day, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11:40 p.m., at 20-30 minute intervals, free shuttle buses run along the winding circular route in Georgetown, making stops at 19 stops along the route. The route is designed in such a way that it passes close to attractions included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This is a great way to move around the city in search of attractions, or just to get around the city. This, by the way, is actively used by locals, and at rush hour the bus is literally jam-packed with locals who go from work or to work.
The buses stop at the regular Rapid Penang bus stops (there are no separate stops for the MPPP CAT), marked with signs that say "Free shuttle" and stop numbers from 1 to 19 (see photo). If there are no passengers waiting at the bus stop and no one inside the bus has pressed the “stop on demand” button, the bus will pass by. So be guided in advance and press the stop button. Catching a bus outside of stops is useless, they are prohibited from stopping outside of stops.
The buses themselves are almost indistinguishable from ordinary shuttle buses, but they can be easily distinguished by the inscription "Hop On Free", "City Hop On", as well as by the letters "MPPP CAT SHITTLE" lit on the board.
On foot
A great way to explore the sights within Georgetown is on foot. The size of the city, despite the fact that it is the capital of the state, built up with skyscrapers, is not that large. Having stocked up on strength, patience and water for drinking, you can get around all the sights of the city in one day.
Taxi
Most taxis on the island are equipped with meters, but drivers are slow to use them when traveling.
Metered rides are in most cases cheaper than the negotiated rate, especially for foreigners, from whom drivers are trying to rip off more. Before boarding, make sure the driver agrees to take you over the meter. If he doesn't agree, you can look for another taxi or negotiate a fixed price for the trip in advance.
Rent a car, motorcycle
Moving around the island by rented transport is a pleasure. It is necessary to have international driving license, and also to be ready to rebuild to the right-hand traffic on the roads.
You can rent a car here from RM150 per day. The motorcycle will cost from RM20.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Penang
The number of attractions on the island of Penang is simply amazing. According to various estimates, there are from 1,000 to 3,000 of them here! Of course, 3 thousand, this is too much, but be that as it may, there are a huge number of officially registered significant places, so those who like to get acquainted with the history, architecture and culture of a separate island are paradise here.
Attractions are scattered throughout the island, but most of them are concentrated in the city of Georgetown. You can get acquainted with the sights of Georgetown both on foot and using the special MPPP Rapid Penang CA bus, which carries everyone around the city for free, making stops near the location of the main attractions. The city authorities went to great lengths to ensure that guests could get to know the city, even providing a free bus for this.
As for the attractions outside Georgetown, most of them are very accessible even for the most budget traveler, and there is no need to hire a taxi or rent a car. The existing urban public transport system on the island is very convenient and will allow you to get anywhere on the island, while spending very little money.
We have tried to collect for you an overview of the most interesting and worthy sights in our opinion, as well as tourist attractions of Penang Island outside the city of Georgetown. For each location, we have also indicated how to get there by public transport and the location on an interactive map of the island.
The capital of the island - Georgetown and its attractions
Georgetown is the capital of Penang Island and a major port is the second largest city in Malaysia. The city was founded in 1786 and named after the English king George III. It was the first British commercial port in the Far East, which has preserved traces of European culture to this day. An architecture that harmoniously combines different styles, attractions that tell the exciting history of this big city and, of course, numerous Chinese, Indian and Sikh temples - all this leaves an unforgettable experience. The population is about 800 thousand inhabitants, the majority are Chinese. Georgetown will not let the most demanding tourist get bored. For guests of the island, the doors of restaurants, bars, clubs and discos are open, the atmosphere of which is much more noisy and relaxed than in Langkawi. Therefore, Penang most of all resembles Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. There are the same shops, open-air cafes, Chinese traditional festivals. Amazingly, even in Ramadan in Penang, pubs and wellness salons work until the morning, an essential attribute sex industry in Penang.
Financial Center - Lebuh Pantai - main street of the city... Many offices and banks are located in old, renovated buildings. The shops are concentrated on Jalang Penang and Jalan Campbell Street.
The old town is traditionally divided into 4 districts.
The central area is Chinatown, part of the city with narrow streets and two-story houses. Chinatown also includes the so-called "Little India", where both Hindus and Indian Muslims live. Chinatown is a colorful mosaic of numerous Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques, shops and stalls, vegetable markets and night markets. Penang's Chinese district was originally formed by Chinese immigrants along China street in Georgetown. Subsequently, this area has grown significantly, and now covers the area bounded by Lebuh King, Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh Muntri, and Lebuh Campbell streets. We can say that Chinatown is the heart of Geordtown. Life is in full swing here, trade is brisk, and there is a night market. During festivals and holidays, it is especially noisy and fun here. There are many Chinese and Hindu temples, mosques, countless shops and shops, several night markets.
To feel the beating of Georgetown's heart, be sure to walk the streets of Chinatown and visit its night market. It is also worth seeing the Chong Fat Jie Mansion, which features artfully crafted mosaics of animals from Chinese legends on the roof.
In a Buddhist temple Wat Chaya Mangkalaram (Wat chaya mangkalaram), built in the traditions of Thai architecture, you can see one of the three largest statues of the reclining Buddha in the world (the length of the statue is over 33 meters).
One of the most famous places of worship in Georgetown - the Chinese temple House of Khu Kongsi (Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi or Khoo Kongsi(Khoo Kongsi, "Kongsi" means "clan, temple of the Chinese clan or family"), an impressive building built by skilled craftsmen from China. This building is also known as "Dragon Mountain". Its majestic hall is adorned with paintings and elaborate wood and stone carvings.
Wealthy clans competed among themselves in the construction of clan houses, and therefore the buildings were striking in their splendor and sophistication, and could well compete in luxury with the royal palaces. One of the most luxurious houses, Khu Kongsi, built in 1850, has now been converted into a museum, where you can admire the magnificent architecture and learn about the history of the clan.
This clan house in the past belonged to members of the Chinese Khu clan, who immigrated to Penang from southern China in the 8th century. It was at that time that a Chinese community began to form in Penang, where important matters were discussed among a large family, religious and secular holidays were celebrated.
By the way, in Penang, clan houses of modern Chinese communities continue to exist and operate, but tourists are not allowed to enter there.
This place is certainly interesting and worth a visit, but the price is unreasonably high. More recently, the cost of a visit has been raised from 5 ringgit to 10. Whether it is worth 20 minutes of visiting the house (there is nothing else to do there) is up to you.
Working hours: You can visit Khu Kongsi's house on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00.
How to get there ?: Khu Kongsi House Museum is located at 18 Cannon St, Georgetown. You can get there by free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N15 (Kampung Kolam)
One of the most beautiful mosques in the city is Captain Keling Mosque(Kapitan Keling Mosque), in architecture a little reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in India. This magnificent building was erected at the beginning of the 19th century by Muslims from India, and has nothing to do with either the British or Portuguese captain. The term Kapitan here refers to the head of the Muslim community. According to another version, the mosque is named after the Indian merchant - Captain Keling, a Muslim by religion. The mosque is accessible to tourists at any time when there are no prayers there.
How to get there ?: You can get to the church by a free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N15 (Kampung Kolam).
And, of course, it is worth noting one of the oldest and most famous Hindu temples in the world - Sri Mariamman temple(Sri Mahamariamman Temple), built in 1883. On the facade and above the main entrance of the temple of the goddess Sri Mariamman, there are sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Inside this ornate temple is the priceless statue of Subramaniam, inlaid with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The statue is one of the most important ritual elements of the annual Taipusam celebration, when it is transported in a silver chariot through the streets of the city to the temple on Jalan Waterfall. The rich decoration of the temple, magnificent sculptures of the gods made it a popular place where various holidays are held.
Admission: The entrance is free. Permission to enter must be obtained from the ministers of the temple.
Working hours: Sri Mariamman Temple is open to the public from early morning until evening.
How to get there ?: You can get to the temple on a free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N16 (Mahkamah).
Also of interest Burmese temple Dharmikarama Burmese The entrance to the Dharmikarama Temple is guarded by a pair of stone elephants. At the pagoda there is a "pond of desires". This temple is the site of various festivities during the Water Festival in April. The temple is easily recognizable by its gate tower, decorated with statues, carvings and paintings.
The mosque on Achin street is also known as Masjid Melaya(1820), built by people from the island of Sumatra. Approximately in the middle of the minaret of this mosque is a small window, which, according to legend, was originally a hole from a shell that got here as a result of the riots of 1867.
In the old town, along with colonial-style houses and a cemetery of Protestants (the "European cemetery" contains the graves of sailors from the Russian cruiser "Pearls"), it is worth visiting the hotel "E&O" (West and East). Once it was considered the best "on the other side south of Suez", they liked to stay in it Hermann Hesse, Rudyard Kipling and William Somerset Maugham .. To fully experience the indescribable atmosphere of this quarter, you can take a tour of it on foot or by rickshaw.
The second interesting tourist area of the city is the colonial part of Georgetown, where is Fort Kornvalis(1786-1804). The fort was built on the 1786 landing site of Captain Francis Light. Initially, the fort was wooden, and later in 1804-1805. it was rebuilt by English convicts and replaced with stone buildings. To date, only the outer fortress walls have survived, in some places reaching 3 meters in width and almost 4 meters in height. Semi-underground casemates are located along one of the fortress walls. In one room there is a prison, in the rest there is a modest semblance of a photo gallery with a description of history, or they are simply empty. Several old Dutch guns were installed on the bastions of the fortress, which were captured by pirates, but later repulsed by the British. The largest cannon "Seri Rambai" was made in 1603. At the beginning it belonged to the Sultan of Johor, then it got to Aceh, then to the pirates, and only after that it was installed in Penang. The locals believe that the cannon has the magical power of fertility and is very popular with the women of the island. Women often lay flowers at the cannon, believing in its miraculous power. Just below the guns is a small museum, which contains exhibits that tell about the history of the fort and the island of Penang. Near the fort, there is a park with souvenir shops and numerous cafes.
The fort is open from 9 am to 6 pm, tel: 04 261 0262.
Admission: the cost of the entrance ticket to Fort Cornvalis is RM 2 for adults and RM1 for children.
Working hours: the fort is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:30
Near -- fort history museumorPenang War Museum(War Museum) various shows are held here, introducing tourists to the life of British soldiers. The museum is located on the ruins of the largest British fortification, built in 1930. The fortification was dug into the hillside. Here you can get acquainted with the life of British soldiers during the Second World War and his Asian brothers in arms. There are several aboveground and underground military structures on the territory, where ammunition boxes, guns, ammunition, uniforms and kitchen utensils are stored. You can see the living quarters for military personnel, catering facilities, prison cells, tunnels and ventilation shafts. There is a shooting range for interactive demonstrations, and museum guests can test themselves for accuracy using paintball guns. There is a recreation area.
Working hours: The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Admission: RM15 for adults, RM7.50 for children.
There is a magnificent colonial building next to the fort City Hall(1880s) is a fine example of British architecture with Corinthian columns and huge windows. Previously, there was a local government here. The Clock Tower, approximately 18 meters high, was donated to the city by local millionaire Chi Jong Yeok in 1897 in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday.
In the same area there is Church of St. George(St. George "s Church) is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. The church is active, and twice a week on Saturdays at 8:30 and 10:30 a service is held here. St. George's Church was built in 1818 by convicts and is named after the patron saint of England. At the entrance to the church there is a monument to Francis Light. You can get to the church by free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N6 (Penang Museum). Address: 1, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200.
Opposite the Church of St. George, on the other side of Leboh Farquhar Street, there is Penang Museum and Art Gallery(Penang Museum)
The museum contains a collection of old photographs, geographical and nautical maps, Malay daggers (keris), national costumes, antiques, Chinese furniture, as well as embroidery and paintings of old Penang. The Art Gallery on the ground floor houses an exhibition of local artists and hosts various specialized exhibitions. The museum is located in the premises of a former school, built back in 1812. The building is decorated with a statue of Captain Francis Light.
Working hours: The museum is open daily except Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.
Admission: RM1.00 for adults, RM 0.5 for children. The entrance to the art gallery is free.
How to get there ?: You can get to the museum by free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N6 (Pendang Museum).
Chinese rises next to the museum temple of the Goddess of Mercy(Kuan-Yin- Kuan Yin) is one of the oldest and most revered Chinese temples in Penang. Kuan Yin Temple was built in 1800 by the first settlers from China. The temple building is adorned with elaborately carved dragons and stone sculptures of lions guarding the temple.
The temple is constantly filled with visitors and pilgrims. Visiting this temple during the Chinese New Year is believed to bring good luck.
The western outskirts of the city are occupied by the Pulau Picus district, it is inhabited by "baba" and "nenya", that is, rich Chinese and Thais. (The name "Pulau Picus" translates as "Rat Island", the island of the same name is uninhabited; for some unknown reason, one of the fashionable districts of Georgetown was named in the same way). Pulau Picus is known for its architecture, trendy restaurants, Thai and Burmese temples, and the largest Hindu sanctuary in Penang.
Fourth district consists of the one and only North Road Mansion avenue, which adorns the Jalan Sultan Ahmed Shah ( Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque) and along which are the villas of the prosperous ethnic Chinese.
The fifth, or business district of the city, formed next to a 65-storey tower Komtar (Tuanku Abdul Rahman complex)(Komtar Scenic View).
The Komtar Tower is the tallest building in Penang, which houses offices, incl. administration of the state, and at the foot of the bus station of the same name is located. The area around the tower is considered a new tourist area. The tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city. On the 60th floor of the Komtar skyscraper, there is an observation deck with a 360-degree view (maybe it was before - now a segment of no more than 180 degrees is open). The site offers a breathtaking view of the city, especially if you visit it during sunset and capture both daylight and darkness.
Admission: The ascent to the observation deck is free, take the elevator and go up (this is what my wife did). If you ask, enterprising Chinese will charge you RM 5 fee (as they did to me).
Working hours: The site is open to the public from 9:00 to 21:00.
How to get there ?: You can get to the Komtar tower by a free shuttle bus, getting off at stop N9 (Komtar Pusat) or N10 (Komtar Utara).
Komtar is the largest shopping center on Jalan Penang street. Jalan Penang Street itself is a continuous chain of shops and stalls with all kinds of goods.
The residents of Penang are so proud of their city that they even decided to run a free bus on the route covering most of the attractions. These are buses operating on the so-called hop-on-hop-off system, but unlike other tourist cities, no one will charge you for using this transport. In total, there are three such buses along the route, and they make stops at 20 stopping points. Armed with a list of stops with nearby attractions, you can safely go to explore the city:
-- StopPengkalan Weld
Swettenham pier
Church street pier
-- StopFeri
Pengkalan Tun Raja Uda
Wisma yeap chor ee
Wisma kastam
-- Little india
Pinang peranakan mansion
Chung Keng Kwee Ancestral Temple
Penang Heritage Trust
San wooi wooi koon
Old OCBC Building
1886 Building
Kongsoon house
Ghee hiang
-- Imigresen
Immigration Building
HSBC Building
Royal Bank of Scotland (formerly ABN Amro Bank)
Logan "s Building
Whiteways Building
-- Bank negara
Bank Negara Malaysia
House of yeap chor ee
Town hall
City hall
Cenotaph
Dewan Sri Pinang
-- Muzium
Penang Museum
Church of the Assumption
Supreme court
Logan memorial
Convent Light Street
St Xavier "s Institution
-- Lebuh muntri
St Francis Xavier Church
Hainan temple
Francis Light "s Tomb
Segara ninda
Cheong fatt tze mansion
-- Lebuh campbell
Benggali mosque
Chowrasta Market
Penang bazaar
-- Komtar Pusat
Komtar Tower
Prangin mall
Pacific komtar
-- Komtar Utara
Ong Kongsi
Komtar Tower
Masjid jamek simpang enam
Gama
Church of Our Lady of Sorrows
-- Jalan kedah
Masjid titi papan
Dato Koyah Shrine
Saw Khaw Lean Heah Kongsi
-- Chowrasta
Chowrasta Market
Penang bazaar
Penang Road Cendol
-- Komtar Timur
Prangin mall
Masjid pintal tali
Ghee hin hall of heroes
Prangin canal
Sia boey
-- Lebuh carnarvon
Li teik seah building
Penang Tourism Information Center
Penang Islamic Museum
Sun yat sen penang base
Campbell street market
-- Kampung kolam
Kapitan Keling Mosque
Noordin family tomb
House of Khoo Kongsi
Cheah kongsi
Lim Kongsi
Yap kongsi
Choo chay keong temple
Hock teik cheng sin temple
Acheen street mosque
Gudang acheh
-- Mahkamah
Church of St. George (St. George "s Church)
Kuan Yin Teng
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Supreme court
Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Bank Negara Malaysia
-- Dewan Sri Pinang
Dewan Sri Pinang
Town hall
City hall
Supreme court
Logan memorial
Cenotaph
-- Kota cornwallis
State assembly building
House of yeap chor ee
Foo tye sin mansion
Fort Cornvalis (incl.Francis Light statue and lighthouse)
-- Lebuh downing
General Post Office
Islamic Council Building
HSBC Building
Standard Chartered Building
Shoppingandthe shops
For shopping in Penang, it is better to go to the capital of the island - the city of Georgetown. Georgetown is the perfect place for shopping. Here you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs, clothes and shoes in small shops and large multi-storey shopping malls in the city.
Jalan Penang Street is a continuous chain of souvenir shops and shops, large shopping centers. Here is one of the largest stores "Komtar", where you can find almost everything, from electronics to world-famous clothing brands.
There are many artisan and antiques shops in the Penang Road area. You can bargain with local street vendors at nearby Leboch Campbell Street. There are also many shops around Rope Walk and Love Lane. In search of antiques, it is better to go to the area of Jalan-Masjid-Kapitan-Keling, Lebuh-Chulio and Lebuh-Pantai streets.
On the old shopping streets of the city, you can buy something that cannot be found in any other shopping center. Here is a paradise for lovers of antiquity. Handicrafts, jewelry and fabrics, clothing, wood and pewter antiques can all be found at Lebuh Penang, Jalan Campbell and Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling.
Mahjong chips or Chinese name seals are considered interesting souvenirs from the island.
Georgetown cuisine and restaurants
The local cuisine is really varied. Here you can dine Malaysian, have a bite to eat Chinese or Japanese cuisine, dine with North African dishes.
Among the many restaurants in the city, one can distinguish Nyonya cuisine... The place is famous for its Chinese dishes with added spices especially curry and chilli and Malaysian spices. Dishes like otak-otak (fish wrapped in banana leaves) and the spicy-tasting kerabu (flavored with lemongrass, chili and coconut shrimp) are worth trying. The dishes here have a slightly harsh citrus aroma, which does not spoil them at all, rather, on the contrary, gives them a special piquancy.
East Xiamen Delicacies is a small and cozy art cafe with antique sewing tables and antique tiles on the floors. The unique atmosphere of this place is harmoniously combined with interesting and tasty dishes prepared according to old home recipes. Here you can try teochew lor ark (stewed duck with rice), mangkuang (vegetarian dumplings with chopped beans and green onions) and finally kuang cheang Teluk Anson (sweet potatoes mixed with peanuts, soybeans and deep fried).
The restaurant offers to relax and listen to live music Opera... The stylish furnishings of this place, in the interior of which the East and West merge, give it a special charm. Here you can taste both national and western cuisine.
It is believed that Georgetown, on Gurney Drive, serves some of the finest traditional Malaysian cuisine. For example, small kebabs-sat, flat fried noodles char-kue-tyao and "spring" rolls with vegetable popia filling.
Industry and infrastructure
Georgetown is one of the most important ports in Malaysia, a place for transshipment of agricultural products and rubber.
There is a Tin Smelting Plant, rubber is processed, food processing (production of coconut oil, etc.), light and electronic industries are developed. A significant part of the population is employed in the service sector - trade and transport. Seaside resort. Large shopping center.
Georgetown is home to the World Fish Center and the University of Natural Sciences of Malaysia (about the University where I work, read in detail with photos here: http://world.lib.ru/n/nazarow_m_w/university.shtml )
Attractions outside the capital:
Mount Penang(Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill)
From the top of Mount Penang, located not far southwest of Georgetown, the most wonderful view of the city, the Penang Bridge, and the entire island opens up. The view is especially good at night, when the city and the bridge are lit up with lights. For this, an observation deck is equipped at the top. You can also have lunch or dinner at the top. Of course, it is not necessary to climb to the 833-meter-high summit on foot. You can use a special funicular railway for this, called the Penang Hill Railway, which was updated in 2011. For the laziest there are excursions upstairs in jeeps.
However, no funicular or jeep can replace walking along winding paths surrounded by rainforest. The ascent is quite difficult and takes 2-3 hours, but it is worth it. Remember to stock up on enough drinking water. One of the most convenient climbing points is located next to the Botanical Gardens, as well as inside the garden.
At the top is the Hotel Bellevue Penang Hill, which is equivalent to 3 stars. If you like the top, you can always stop at it. The cost of hotel accommodation is from RM150 per day.
Admission: The entrance to the observation deck itself is free, and the ascent and descent by rail will cost RM30 for adults and RM15 for children. For families of 2 adults and 2 children, there is a special price RM70 for all.
Working hours: train cars leave every 30 minutes on weekdays from 6:30 to 20:00 and on weekends from 6:30 to 21:00.
How to get there? You can get here by bus N204, which departs from Weld Quay stations and goes through the Komtar station. You need to go to the final stop.
Orchid Garden;
Located in the south of the island, near the Temple of the Serpents
Tropical fruit farm(Tropical Fruit Farm)
A great place to find out how all those unusual Exotic fruits that you will meet in Southeast Asia. You can taste these fruits in their freshest form or freshly squeezed juice from them, and buy them at affordable prices. From here, a wonderful view of the west coast of the island opens up.
The only inconvenience: you have to get here by bus with a change.
Admission: RM28 for adults, RM20 for children.
Working hours: 9:00 - 17:00.
How to get there? To get here by bus N101 from Weld Quay or Komtar, you first need to get to the Teluk Bahang stop, and from there change to bus N501.
Avianthe park (Penang Bird Park)
Despite the name, the bird park is not located on Penang Island, but on the mainland in the state of Penang. But do not be afraid, the park is located very close, and it is very easy to get here from the island.
The park as a whole is small (it cannot be compared in size with the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park ( http://world.lib.ru/n/nazarow_m_w/birdpark.shtml ), but interesting enough. If you do not have enough time or will not have the opportunity to visit the bird park in Kuala Lumpur, then you should definitely look here. A very beautiful man-made landscape has been created here, and just a walk along the shady alleys between small reservoirs, surrounded by rare species of orchids, hibiscus and other plants, will give you pleasure. For more than 300 species of exotic birds, they tried to create such conditions for them to feel as if they were in the wild. Many birds fly freely in the park, and the high netting does not allow them to fly away. At 11:30, a bird show is held: parrots throw balls into a miniature basketball basket, guess under which cup the ball is hidden, clean up the garbage in a special bucket, etc. In addition to birds, crocodiles live in the park, one of them is gigantic, others are smaller. There are pythons, deer and other living creatures that clearly do not look like birds.
Working hours: daily seven days a week from 9:00 to 19:00.
Admission: Adult ticket - RM29; child ticket (up to 12 years old) - RM10. Another RM is taken from each camera
How to get there? The bird park is located on the mainland of Penang near the Penang Bridge.
Butterfly park.
Despite the name, this picturesque tropical park contains not only 5 thousand butterflies of various species, but also other insects and animals. Among them are bees, scorpions, spiders, water dragons, geckos, giant centipedes, snakes and other reptiles. There is also a gift shop and café. The price for visiting the park is quite high, but the excursion will be very informative and interesting.
Working hours: The Butterfly Park is open seven days a week from 9:00 to 18:00.
Admission: Admission for adults - RM27, for children - RM12. Children under 4 years old are free.
How to get there? You can get there by bus N101 from Weld Quay, which, like all buses, runs through Komtar. You need to go to the final, or better to the penultimate (Jalan Teluk Bahang) stop.
Temple of Serpents.
This is one of the most famous and interesting temples. But it is interesting not for its architecture. The story says that the temple was built on the site of the home of a very devout man, the Buddhist priest Chor Su Kong, who gave shelter in his home to all animals, including poisonous snakes. In 1850, a temple was built on the site of the house in memory of the priest, and since then snakes have settled in the temple.
Here, on certain days according to the Chinese calendar, a huge number of snakes crawl down, filling literally every corner of it. Until now, no one can explain why these poisonous reptiles crawl into the temple only on certain dates according to the Chinese calendar. On ordinary days, you can also see several snakes coiled up on the altar, pick them up, wrap them around their necks and arms to capture this in sensational photographs;
Admission: admission to the Temple is free, admission to the RM5 Museum.
Working hours: from 9:00 to 18:00.
How to get there? The temple is located in the south of the island on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah street near the airport. You can get here by buses 401 and 401A, which depart from the KOMTAR station. You need to get off at the stop opposite the Osram building. If you miss, you can get off at the airport terminal, but you have to walk 2 kilometers, so it's better to ask the locals where to get off.
Botanical Garden
This place is known as Waterfall Gardens because of the waterfall located here. The park is popular with locals who like to stroll through the gardens, do morning exercises and jogging here. It is very pleasant to spend a few hours of your time here, just walking and getting to know the nature of the island. Monkeys live in the park, so keep a close eye on your belongings.
There are several convenient points to start climbing Penang Mountain.
Admission: admission to the gardens is free.
Working hours: from 5:00 to 20:00.
How to get there? You can get to the botanical garden from Weld Quay or Komtar by bus N10, but this route is extremely rare (about once an hour). Botanical Garden is the final stop of the N10 bus. If you do not want to waste a lot of time, it is better to take a taxi.
The active monastery of the Supreme Beatitude
(Kek Lok Si or Temple of Supreme Bliss)
A masterpiece of architecture throughout Southeast Asia is the Kek Lok Si Chinese temple. It is also the largest Buddhist temple in the region. This is true, and I would recommend visiting it first!
The temple was founded in 1890. Work on its construction lasted 20 years and it is still operational. The mixture of Chinese, Burmese and Thai styles in architecture is mesmerizing at first sight. Its octagonal base resembles a pagoda. The richest interior of the temple and the huge statue of the goddess of mercy Kuan Yin make a great impression. There is a belief that everyone who feeds the turtles living in the pond in the temple will live several years longer. In front of the temple there is a prayer area, where there are prayer halls and pagodas with sculptures of Buddha. A very beautiful seven-peaked pagoda Ban Pa Thar rises here.
Working hours: The temple is open to the public seven days a week.
Admission: The entrance to the temple is free. Entrance to RM2 Pagoda
How to get there? The temple is located in the small town of Air Itam in the center of the island. You can get to the temple by bus N203 from Weld Quay or Komtar. You need to go to the final stop
A new building has been built a few kilometers west of Georgetown. State Mosque- a modern architectural structure topped with a sparkling gold dome. This is the largest mosque on the island, capable of accommodating 5 thousand worshipers at a time.
Penang Bridge
Penang's symbol is the Penang Bridge, which connects the island and the mainland. Its length above the water is 8.4 kilometers, and its total length is 13.5 kilometers. It is one of the longest bridges in Asia, the third longest in the world.
The bridge offers a wonderful view of Georgetown and the port, from here you can take wonderful photos. If time permits, be sure to visit the site before and after sunset. Just keep in mind that vehicles are not allowed to stop on the bridge, so it is better to come here by bike or motorbike.
Working hours: Round the clock.
Admission: Crossing the bridge by car RM 7, back free of charge
Trips to the water park are organized from Penang Lake Town Resort, which is 35 minutes' drive from the 13.5 km bridge connecting Penang to the mainland. Here, besides many attractions, on the island Orang Utan, guests will meet the charming young orang-utan Otan, who is served a separate fruit table during the dinner. There are 27 orangutans living on the island, the fee is RM 28, for each orangutag there is a ringgitt and one RM, probably, a minister who has the same rights as orangutans.
Marine park Pulau Payar is located in the northern part of the Malak Strait. To the island of Pulau Payar, sail from the islands of Langkawi 35 kilometers, and from the island of Penang - about 75 kilometers. We are waiting for good weather and clear water, we will definitely sail in the near future and put a link to the report.
Penang beaches
Batu Ferringhi beach(Batu Ferringhi or Batu Ferringgi)
Batu Ferring Beach
Batu Ferring is a small town on the northernmost tip of the island. It is considered the most popular beach destination on the island among tourists. A large number of beach hotels, a sufficient number of nightlife and restaurants are concentrated here. A large number of water sports are organized on the beaches. We flew on a paraglider behind a motor boat. Price RM 80.
The beach is quite clean and tidy, more than 2 kilometers long. Throughout the beach, the slope of the bottom changes, but mostly it is quite sharp. Accordingly, waves are formed only a few meters away from the coast, and the influence of low tides is insignificant.
The only drawback of accommodation here is the distance of about 10 kilometers on the road to Georgetown. But in which case you can make raids there, including by public transport. Rapid Penang bus N101 follows here from the station Weld Quay via Komtar Station ... The fare will cost RM2.7.
Maybe we are already spoiled by beaches on different islands and in different countries, but I would not recommend coming to Penang for a beach holiday. First of all, very cloudy water, the color of coffee with milk, no visibility. Boring sandy bottom, no coral reefs (at least we haven't seen them yet). And this is on the best beach! Reefs and corals were seen only in the Maritime Department of our university, but you can swim to it by boat and only by university staff.
Tanjung Bungah Beach(Tanjung Bungah or Tanjong Bungah)
The beaches of this resort place are considered not as good as on the popular Batu Ferringhi, but Tanjung Bungah is located two times closer to Georgetown, just 5 kilometers from the city center, also on the northern coast of the island.
Of course, the proximity to a growing and developing city makes itself felt. On the beach, it is not uncommon for garbage washed ashore by waves, jellyfish. For some unknown reason, sewage attracts a lot of jellyfish to the Tanjung Bungah coast, so many tourists do not recognize the area as a beach at all and stop there as a middle option, from where they can get to Georgetown and to the closer and cleaner Batu Ferringhi.
Of course, it's up to you to choose, but we would advise you to stay in a hotel in this place only if you do not put beach holidays in the first place and are ready to limit yourself to sunbathing by the pool.
You can get here by Rapid Penang buses N101, 103 and 104 from Weld Quay and Komtar.
Tanjung Tokong Beach(Tanjung Tokong)
In my opinion, this place should not be called a beach destination, but rather just a tourist area. It is located very close to Georgetown on the north coast of the island.
Choose this place if you want to be in Georgetown and at the same time get a relaxing break a little away from the busy city bustle.
You can get here by Rapid Penang buses N101, 103 and 104.
Bayan Lepas area(Bayan Lepas)
This area is located on the road from the airport to Georgetown, almost right next to the airport. It is difficult to imagine why tourists should stay here, there is neither a beach (small sandy and not very clean), nor attractions (except perhaps only the Temple of Serpents), but hotels, nevertheless, are located here.
The most famous beaches (from reference books): Teluk Bahang ("Bay of Embers") on the western edge of the island, Tanjung Bungah ("overhanging cliffs") with giant reefs and lush vegetation and Telun Bahang with its secluded coves. We haven’t been here yet, so no comments yet.
17.03.2012
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The collection includes stories about life and work in the wonderful country of Malaysia. During the year we traveled by car almost all over the country. We visited hard-to-reach mountainous places where the most ancient jungle on the planet grow, found the world's largest flowers - rafflesia, visited many islands, both on the East and West coasts with excellent diving, swam with sharks, admired the wonderful coral reefs , and, of course, got acquainted with the original and peculiar culture and life of Malaysia. This collection can serve and it really serves as a detailed guide to Malaysia and its islands. The book will be of interest to both tourists and divers, as all the most interesting places for scuba diving are described in detail here. The book has 587 pages and a large number of photographs. Quoted1>> If you liked our article, please share it with your friends in social networks. Thanks.
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We got to the hotel, took our things and took the metro to the KL Sentral metro station, got on an AirAsia bus, and after 45 minutes we were at the airport. Penang. Departure by AirAsia airline to Penang, flight at 21.30. Again we departed with a slight delay - 15 minutes. Flight 35 min. Here things got faster and took a taxi to the hotel. In Penang, it seemed to us that a taxi is the most convenient way to get to the hotel (we did not try by public transport). At the exit from the airport there is a kiosk (as in the Soviet era of disorder), the girl writes out a receipt, and you go to the taxi. Do not forget to take a map of the island and the city with attractions on the way out Penang Island was chosen as a holiday destination again because of its many attractions: Chinese and Buddhist temples. And because we are not lovers of "vegetable" rest (more than 3 hours on the beach is already torture for us), so we just needed such a place to have time to lie down and see something interesting. Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel is located in a quiet area of Tanjung Bungah, 40 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Batu Ferringi resort (this resort is further from the airport, respectively, about 1 hour drive). Cons and pluses of the hotel: the main and perhaps the only minus of the hotel is very, very old furniture and plumbing. The room has a musty smell, either from dampness, or from old furniture. Over time you get used to it, but at the first moment this smell hits the nose very much. It feels like no renovation has been done there since this hotel was built. At that time, the hotel was undergoing reconstruction. Therefore, perhaps something will change there. The room is as usual: there is a TV, refrigerator, kettle. Tea, coffee, sugar - free of charge. There is no safe in the room. Otherwise, everything is excellent. The breakfasts are excellent, several types of hot snacks, pastries, fruits and vegetables. Nice pool, towels for free (pool and beach). You leave the hotel - the beach is right away. Very few people. Sometimes it seemed to us that in this hotel only my husband and I were alone. The sun beds were always free. The beaches in Penang are public, and therefore another advantage of this hotel in terms of location is none of the locals. Of course, we didn't manage to swim in the sea. The sea water is like fresh milk, but muddy, and it was unpleasant to stay in it for a long time. But we found a way out - the hotel pool. The hotel provides various types of massage. My husband went, he really liked it. Young people in this hotel will be bored, no entertainment. Perhaps there is something in Batu Ferringi, but so on. because we were not interested - we do not know where to go to hang out. View from the window of our room
From this article you will learn how to get to Penang from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Langkawi Island, as well as in the opposite direction from Penang 🙂 I already wrote about that, but most tourists who come to Malaysia on vacation arrive in Kuala Lumpur, and then get to other cities and islands.
If you want to visit several islands and interesting places in Malaysia during your vacation, then it will be convenient to combine Kuala Lumpur,. The result is such a circular, stress-free route of a two-week journey, the starting and ending points of which will be Kuala Lumpur. Or, if you wish, from Penang or Langkawi you can then get to Thailand and continue your journey further across Thailand.
Penang Island is home to Penang International Airport, where flights from Malaysia and other Asian countries arrive. The island of Penang is connected to the mainland by the famous 13.5 km bridge, so there is a good bus service between Penang and other cities.
How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and back
By plane
Airlines fly from Kuala Lumpur to Penang: AirAsia, Malaysian Airlines, FireFly, MalindoAir (note that the last two airlines fly from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport, not from KLIA).
About twenty flights a day, flight time is about an hour. If you take tickets in advance, for example, from AirAsia, then you can get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang for just $ 7! (excluding the cost of travel to and from the airports).
Flights Kuala Lumpur - Penang can sometimes be bought for $ 7!
Air tickets Kuala Lumpur - Penang
By bus
Buses on the Kuala Lumpur - Penang route depart from the Pudu Sentral Terminal and KL Sentral bus stations every hour - half an hour from 7:00 am to 1:00 am. Travel time is about 5 hours, ticket price 45-50 ringgit (~ 10-12 dollars).
On the way back from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, a bus ticket can be bought both at the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal and in the center of Georgetown, near the Komtar Tower. Near the entrance to the Perangin Mall, there are a number of ticket agencies selling tickets to anywhere in Malaysia 🙂
Near the Komtar bus station in the Perangin Mall building there are several ticket agencies for all directions 
Bus schedule from Penang By train
There is no train station on the island of Penang, but it is on the mainland in the city of Butterworth. Trains from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth run for 6 hours and are constantly late. Not far from the Butterworth railway station there is a ferry crossing to Penang. It takes about 20 minutes and the ferry arrives almost to the center of Georgetown, at Weld Quay Jetty. There you can also find a hotel nearby.
Ferry crossing (Jetty) on Penang island To be honest, this is not the most convenient way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. But suddenly, who wants to ride the Malaysian trains? 🙂 By the way, you can go by train to Thailand from Butterworth Station.
How to get to Penang from Cameron Highlands and back
If you come to Malaysia and are not spoiled by the tea plantations of Sri Lanka, or just want to plunge into the coolness, breathe in the mountain air, walk in the mountains, pick strawberries from the garden and buy tea, then go for a few days to.
Cameron Highlands tea plantations How to get to Cameron Highlands from Penang
Buses leave several times a day from the Perangin Mall (Komtar) in Penang. The schedule changes, but the main flights are at 8:00, 13:00 and 15:00. There are also flights at 7:30, 8:30 and 13:30. Find out the current schedule immediately before leaving for travel agencies in the city. Buses run through Ipoh, travel time to Tanah Rata 5 - 5.5 hours. The ticket price is 40 ringgit (~ $ 9).
How to get from Cameron Highlands to Penang
Buses from Cameron Highlands depart for Penang from the Information Center in Cameron Highlands and from Tanah Rata Bus Terminal at 8:00, 9:00 and 14:00. Tickets can be bought at your hotel, then it is still possible to get a free transfer to the bus 🙂
Bus schedule from Cameron Highlands How to get to Penang from Langkawi and back
In my opinion, Penang Island is not very suitable for a beach holiday, but the neighboring island of Langkawi is just right for a leisurely beach vacation, and is also a Duty Free zone.
I advise you to consider the option of combining the two Malaysian islands of Langkawi and Penang in your trip to Malaysia: visit Langkawi, swim in the ocean, visit, climb to the jungle, buy beer and other alcoholic drinks in Dyuti fries, and then move to Penang, stop downtown Georgetown for sightseeing and must-see visits, and Penang National Park.
I advise you to combine your visits to Langkawi and Penang. In the photo, the island of Langkawi How to get to Penang from Langkawi
On a straight boat - speedboat
There is a passenger boat from Langkawi to Penang three times a day (not a ferry, so you won't be able to drive a bike or a car).
Departure time from Langkawi to Penang: 10:30, 14:30, 17:15. Travel time is 2 hours 45 minutes. The cost of the boat Langkawi - Penang 60 ringgit + 8.10 port tax. Total 78 ringgit (~ $ 19).
By boat - bus - ferry
Not a fast track for those looking to save money, not time:
Boat Langkawi - Kuala Kedah every hour from 7:00 to 19:00, travel time 1 hour 45 minutes, cost 23 ringgit (~ 5.6 dollars).
Take a taxi to the Alor Setar bus station (I don't know the cost).
By bus from Alor Setar to Butterworth. Buses run every half hour, travel time 1.5 hours, fare 10 ringgit (~ $ 2.3).
By ferry from mainland to Penang: about 20 minutes, cost 1.2 ringgit (0.3 dollar).
In total, this dreary journey from Langkawi to Penang will cost 8-10 dollars and will take five hours.
By plane
Direct flights between Penang and Langkawi are operated by AirAsia and Malaysian Airlines. The flight time is only 35 minutes. The cost of a ticket is from $ 15, and for a promotion it can be up to $ 10 in general! Buy tickets in advance!
The flight from the island of Langkawi to Penang is very inexpensive and takes only 35 minutes Air tickets Langkawi - Penang
Penang - Langkawi: how to get there
Just do all the steps that are described above the other way around: by direct boat, by plane or via Butterworth - Alor Setar 🙂
Schedule of direct boats Penang - Langkawi: 8:15, 8:30, 14:00.
Schedule and cost of boats Penang - Langkawi Detailed article on how to get to Langkawi:
That's all I wanted to tell you about how to get to Penang. Have a nice rest!
Penang is very lively due to its many nightclubs and entertainment venues. Most of the hotels are located in the north of the island in the resort area of Batu Ferringhi, where dozens of restaurants, shops, various shops, markets and night bazaars are open. There are also the most famous sandy beaches of Penang, which are very popular with tourists. Only a few hotels are located a little further from this resort.
Jellyfish interfere with swimming in the coastal area of Penang, so as an alternative, tourists are offered inexpensive half-day cruises to uninhabited islands with pristine beaches and clear water.
How to get to Penang
You can get to the island either by ferry from the town of Buttervoorch, or by land transport. Penang is connected to the mainland by a 13.5 km long bridge, which is considered one of the longest in Asia and the third longest in the world. Also, local flights from Kuala Lumpur fly to Penang (travel time - 50 minutes).
Search for flights to Kuala Lumpur (nearest airport to Penang)
A brief history of Penang
Once this island belonged to the Sultan of Kedah and was uninhabited until 1786, when the British East India Company decided to establish its trading post here. Since then, Penang has become the first British possession in what is now Malaysia. And in the same year, the Englishman Francis Light founded the capital of the island - the city of Georgetown, naming it in honor of the English Emperor George III. The new owners of Penang immediately spotted a potential resort in this land overgrown with tropical jungle of betel nut palms, and several decades later the Sargsyan brothers opened the first hotels here.
Penang beaches
Notable is the golden Ferringhi Beach in Batu, which is located on the northern coast of the island. There are several luxury hotels here, offering all kinds of water sports and horse riding.
The most famous beaches are Teluk Bahang ("bay of embers") on the western edge of the island, Tanjung Bungah ("overhanging cliffs") with giant reefs and lush vegetation and Telun Bahang with its secluded coves.
In total, the hotel base in Penang is about 25 hotels, 18 of which are five-star. The most popular are Casuarina Beach, Feringghi Beach, Shangri-La Golden Sands, Park Royal Holiday, Inn Penang Bayview Beach, Penang Parkroyal Resort.
Shopping and shops in Penang
For shopping it is better to go to the capital of the island - the city of Georgetown. There are many artisan and antiques shops in the Penang Road area. You can bargain with local street vendors at nearby Leboch Campbell Street. There are also many shops around Rope Walk and Love Lane. In search of antiques, it is better to go to the area of Jalan-Masjid-Kapitan-Keling, Lebuh-Chulio and Lebuh-Pantai streets.
Chips for playing mahjong or Chinese name seals are considered interesting souvenirs from the island.
Weather in Penang
Average monthly temperature, ° C day and night, water
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
As in the rest of Malaysia, Penang does not show seasonal fluctuations in weather. During the year, the temperature here is kept at around +23 ... 32 ° С, water +26 ... 28 ° С.
The rainy season lasts from May to September, so the best time to relax on the island is from October to March.
Guides in Penang
Popular hotels in Penang
Penang entertainment and attractions
Excursion Temples of Penang (25-30 USD): Temple of Serpents (and indeed, many of these reptiles, curled up in spirals, peacefully lie on the altar: local snakes are considered harmless, since they are intoxicated by the smell of constantly smoking incense), Kek-Lok-Si (“Temple of ten thousand Buddhas ") and Wat Chayamangkalaram with the third largest statue of the reclining Buddha in the world (33 m).
Excursions to the butterfly park (3000 individuals of butterflies and more than 50 species of other insects), the bird park (400 species of birds from all over the world, orchids, hibiscus and other tropical flowers) and the botanical garden, each for 25-30 USD.
Prices on the page are for September 2018.
Other attractions: St. George Church in Georgetown, Sri Marimman Temple, famous for numerous statues of Indian deities, Khu Kongsi House and Mount Penang (830 meters, funicular), from where a beautiful panorama of the island opens up.
Attractions in the capital of the island - the city of Georgetown: Fort Cornwallis, the Little India quarter, the Khu Kongsi clan temple decorated with carvings and the Masjid Captain Kling Mosque. The Penang State Museum is also noteworthy, which houses an invaluable collection of historical photographs, documents, maps, paintings, antiques and antique furniture. It is also worth seeing the Chong Fat Jie Mansion, which features artfully crafted mosaics of animals from Chinese legends on the roof.
It is interesting to go jungle trekking in Teluk Bahang National Reserve.
It is believed that Georgetown, on Gurney Drive, serves some of the finest traditional Malaysian cuisine. For example, small kebabs-sat, flat fried noodles char-kue-tyao and "spring" rolls with popia vegetable filling.
1.1. How to get to Penang island
Many people go to Penang Island because of a Thai visa, there are several options for how to get there:
- By car. To do this, you need to rent a car at an office where it is allowed to take the car abroad, draw up the documents necessary for transporting the car, and hit the road. If several people are traveling, then the budget will be small. We haven’t tried this method, so we move on to the second option.
- By bus. From many cities in Thailand, you can go to Penang Island by bus. For example, from the city of Hat Yai you can buy a direct ticket to the center of Penang, it will cost from 830 rub., you can order directly. True, in most cases you will have to change more than one transport before you get to Penang. Buses, minibuses, ferries - depends on where you are traveling from. But it is convenient to buy a complex ticket - you paid once and do not worry, in any case, they will somehow be taken to your destination. So that there are no surprises on the way, you should find out in advance how many changes you will have, what kind of transport you will take, and what time you will be there. We went by bus from Penang to Thailand, no complaints, except that instead of a large bus there was a minivan.
- By plane. There is an international airport on the island of Penang, which flies there, so you can buy a cheap ticket for a promotion. We were just getting to Penang by plane, so I will sign this item in a little more detail.
We flew not from Thailand, but from. The flight took only 1 hour, tickets Kuala Lumpur - Penang for the promotion cost 780 rubles. for two, so we didn't even think about other travel options to Penang.
View of Penang from the airplane window:
1.2. Penang airport
Penang airport is very small, there are few people, everything is easy and intuitive.
There is even Duty Free: 
Starbucks counter: 
Baggage claim: 
You can also withdraw money from the card there at the airport. To do this, follow the ATM arrow (ATM): 
Directly at the airport you can collect free maps, guides to Penang. There is even a guide to local cuisine, where there is a photo of the food, the name, and most importantly - where to buy and how much it costs: 
1.3. How to get from Penang airport to city center
From the airport we need to get to the tourist center of Georgetown. Komtar is such a center - the main stop, from where almost all bus routes start. Komtar is also the tallest building in the city, with an observation deck on the roof.
You can get from the airport by taxi or by bus. The bus service is very good, so we went to the bus stop without thinking twice. At the airport we are guided by the signs Bus station.
Leaving the airport, you need to cross the road; there will be a bus stop on the left side.
The following routes go from the airport to Komtar:
The first bus that came up was exactly No. 102, the fare was 2.4 ringgit per person (about 24 rubles). For some reason, in Google maps, the travel time was determined more than 2 hours, in fact, the ride was no more than 40 minutes. And further from Komtar, you can already walk to the tourist streets and find budget accommodation.
2. Housing
Penang, and in particular Georgetown, is a tourist town, so there is a lot of housing here.
Just come to the Komtar stop, and from there walk to the street Lebuh Chulia, there is almost every house - a guesthouse or a hotel.
It was quite possible to find some kind of guesthouse upon arrival, but we booked a guest house in advance for a couple of days. You can read the details about our guest house
3. Transport
Getting around Penang is very convenient by public buses. The whole island is riddled with a network of bus routes, so you can get anywhere by bus.
The main transport hub - Komtar:
Route scheme:
Ticket prices low - 1.4 - 3.4 ringgit per trip, depending on the distance:
All bus routes are spelled out in Google maps for Penang, so you can easily find on which bus you can get to the right place. True, the travel times, as I have already said, are determined incorrectly, often greatly overestimated.
All buses are standard, air-conditioned.
To pay for travel, you must always have a change without change, because you pay yourself before entering the bus. There is a box with a money slot next to the driver. You throw money there, the driver will give you a ticket. Change already, of course, cannot be reached (the box is locked).
The free travel guides list all the routes to the main attractions, so be sure to bring a travel guide.
Bus schedule: 
4. Food
Penang is considered the gastronomic paradise of Asia. Because Many cultures are intertwined here, and the cuisine is very diverse. But I must say right away that it is rather difficult to find something suitable, because the variety seems to be there, but it is not clear which of this is delicious.
For example, many travel guides advise you to try a local dish - Laksa. The place where you should try it is also indicated in the guidebook.
In general, we came to this place - a local cafe with a crowd of people, ordered laksa, drinks. The system is weird, either you have to order drinks (other than food) or pay for a seat. That is, if you ordered food, but you don’t want to drink and don’t want to pay for a seat either, then you will have to eat not in a cafe, but somewhere on the street.
Price - 5 ringgit.
The dish looks like this:
Well, what can I say? Maybe it tastes good for someone, but I didn't like it. If you are very hungry, then you can eat a couple of spoons, but just to say that this is a super dish - I can't. Soup made of incomprehensible ingredients, boiled noodles, canned fish, a lot of onions, and, probably, fish sauce, a very strong pungent smell. Perhaps, this dish is prepared better in other places, but we did not risk it anymore. And in general, I somehow immediately got sick of trying the local cuisine.
But I could not refuse coffee shakes, there is more, in this heat. It tastes like a Starbucks frappuccino, only less sweet.
We bought them not far from our hotel, on an Armenian street, right behind the sign Georgetown:
Excellent coffee shop with a large selection of coffee, chocolate drinks and teas, all sorts of different ones. Average price per drink is 5-10 ringgit, but they are really tasty.
Examples of drinks we took.
Latte Oreo, I liked the most:
Frappuccino with marshmallows:
Not far from the tourist street Lebuh chulia there are several supermarkets. We somehow did not find a common language with Malay cuisine, so we often bought food in supermarkets.
The nearest large supermarket is located near Komtar, called Pacific... I wrote about him
And next to Pacific in the same building there is a local cafe with delicious and cheap food, prices:
For example, Nasi goreng seafood (fried rice with seafood), 5.5 ringgit:
From time to time they ate such harmful, but insanely delicious Indian dal bread:
Moreover, 4 tortillas with dal (spicy hot sauce in a plate) and cucumber salad cost only 4 ringgit! I have not seen such prices for food anywhere else in Malaysia. You pay for the cake (1 piece - 1 ringgit), and everything else in the bargain. There, apparently, there are no tourists at all, they were very much surprised when we went to them :)
And this place, like everything else, is located not far from Komtar.
If you are at an intersection on this bridge:
then you need to cross the bridge, go down the stairs to the right, right next to the stairs and there will be this cafe, at the entrance there are cakes, you will immediately see.
Another supermarket is in the mall Penang Plaza ( shop Giant):
It is located here:
A few photos from the store (prices are in ringgit, 1 ringgit is approximately equal to 10 rubles):
Unlike Thailand, it is full of all kinds of baked goods: 
Also, there are often discounted fruits and vegetables, for Malaysia it is very important, because fruits are very expensive for some reason.
And in Malaysia, we liked the local juices, although from packages, but still tasty, for example, this one - berry-fruit-vegetable with purple carrots:
5. Where to buy lenses
It just so happened that all the lenses that I took with me from Russia are over. It was necessary to urgently buy new ones. Before that, I had never bought lenses anywhere in Asia, I didn’t even know if there were any that I needed, so I took a supply with me. It turned out that everything is not so difficult, I bought the lenses exactly the same that I had before, the same brand and parameters. And they are even cheaper than in Moscow.
You can buy in any optics, but it is better to go to Komtar right away. Next to him is a huge Prangin mall, in which a good store of lenses, glasses of many firms, colors, sizes is located, is called Focus Optometry... There you will definitely find what you need.
The building you need Prangin mall:
Focus Optometry - the optics where I bought the lenses can be seen in the distance:
6. What to do
The city of Georgetown is protected by UNESCO; on its territory, almost every building is remarkable for something. there are a lot of museums, various religious buildings, in general there are a lot of interesting things. There are also a lot of interesting things around Georgetown. You will definitely not be able to bypass everything, you will have to choose what is more interesting to you.
In any guesthouse you will be offered a map of Penang showing the main attractions, according to which you can roughly calculate your routes in order to have time to see the most interesting.
For starters, you can simply walk through the historic center Georgetown or take the hop on bus for sightseeing along the way. I wrote about our walk in Georgetown.
And then, when you get around interesting places in Georgetown itself, you can go further to other parts of the island.
I will briefly write the name of the attraction and the number of the bus by which you can get there, almost all routes go from the Komtar station (it is easy to find, since Komtar is the tallest building in Georgetown). With public transport in Penang, everything is very good, so there is no need for a taxi service.
So, what's on the island outside Georgetown?
- Temple of snakes(401, 401E, 102, 306), real live snakes live in this temple, but during the celebration of the Chinese New Year, the snakes are removed from the territory of the temple. Opening hours: 6-19.00. Entrance fee: free, entrance to the museum - 5 Ringgit adult, 3 ringgit - child ticket.
- War Museum(302). Opening hours: 9-18.00. Entrance fee: 15 ringgit for adults, 7.50 - for children.
- Toy Museum(101, 103, 104). Opening hours: 9 - 21.00
- Tropical fruit farm(101, 102, then 501). Read about our impressions of visiting the farm. Entrance fee: 35 ringgit for adults, 28 - for children.
- Tropical Spice Garden(101, 102). Opening hours: 9 - 18.00.
- Tropical Butterfly Farm(located not far from the fruit farm, you can get to 101, 102, then walk a little). Opening hours: 9 - 18.00. Entrance fee: Ringgit 27 for adults, Ringgit 12 for children.
- Water children's amusement park Escape(101,102, next to the butterfly farm). Opening hours: 9-18.00
- Penang Hills(Penang Hill) (204). To get to the observation deck, you will have to take a tourist train, and you need to arrive early, because very long queues, you can stand for several hours. If you're heading for the hills, plan right away that it's half a day. Funicular opening hours: 6.30 - 22.00 (23.00 on weekends and holidays). Entrance fee: to the observation deck - free, and the ascent and descent by funicular - 30 ringgit for adults and 15 - for children.
- Owl Museum(near Penang Hill). Opening hours: 9-18.00
- Penang Botanical Gardens(10). Opening hours: 6 - 21.00. Entrance fee: free.
- Penang National Park... Opening hours: 7.30 - 18.00.
- Forestry Museum (101)
- Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia (201, 203, 204, 502). H Opening hours: from 07:00 to 21:00 daily. The entrance to the temple is free, to the pagoda - 2 ringgit.
- Bird park(It is also in the state of Penang, but not on the island itself, you need to drive over the bridge to the mainland, bus 709). Opening hours: 9-19.00. Entrance fee: 20 ringgit for adults; 10 - for children.
And this is not a complete list of all the sights, so, as you can see, you will not be bored in Penang!
7. Conclusions
I liked Georgetown. Despite the mud and heat, the city is very picturesque, ancient, many things look very unusual. The city is convenient for tourists - there is all the necessary infrastructure (supermarkets, a good clinic, a developed convenient public transport network, budget guesthouses), many interesting places to visit.
Of the minuses - except for dirt and heat (it is really very hot there, it is almost impossible to fall asleep without an air conditioner in the room, and in the daytime you cannot go outside at all), there is little good housing, and the level of budget guesthouses is much lower than those of similar prices in other Asian countries. Just keep this in mind when traveling to Penang.
(20 votes, rating: 5,00 out of 5)
