By: MUHAMMAD DANIAL BIN ISMAIL
Composed of two parts – Penang Island & Seberang Perai (formerly, and occasionally Province Wellesley) Bordered by Kedah and Perak Northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia Second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis The eighth most populous.
Before Penang, the Pearl of the Orient, was known to the world– the abundance of betel nut palms scattered across her soft, sandy beaches.
1.WHAT TO SEE 2.WHAT TO EAT 3.WHAT TO DO
All the major heritage buildings The unique charms of architecture and colonial design Unesco’s heritage site listing.
Penang Hill 821m above sea level, visitors will be privy to some of the grandest colonial mansions (which are now restaurants and guests houses)
The hill (originally known as Strawberry Hill) was first cleared by Captain Francis Light to plant strawberries – hence its original name.
Nasi Kandar Rice served with an unending list of curries and dishes prepared with fish, chicken, squid, prawns and beef. The word Nasi Kandar, came from a time when nasi [rice] hawkers or vendors would kandar [balance] a pole on the shoulder with two huge containers of rice meals.
Pasembur A slightly different version of the Rojak, the Pasembur features a mix of deep fried items and shredded vegetables. The dressing is a peanut-based sweet sauce that will leave you hungering for more.
Char Koay Teow This flat, fried white noodle dish has been described as a taste of heaven and it is certainly no exaggeration!
Take a trishaw ride or walking tour Decorated with plastic flowers and blinking lights, these are now mainly “tourist mobiles”. Great for going around George Town’s narrow inner city streets. Trishaws may be dwarfed by other motorised vehicles but here in Penang, they are truly “Kings of the Roads”
Laze by the scenic Batu Ferringhi beach Batu Ferringhi offers an amazing respite from the hustle and bustle of town. At night, the popular tourist belt comes to life as traders hawk their wares.
Go on a ferry ride The famous yellow ferries at Weld Quay were the main mode of transportation between the island and mainland before the Penang Bridge was constructed. Till today, it remains an important mode of transportation and is synonymous with the island state of Penang