An island of rich Chinese heritage, Penang has a wide array of ruins, temples, preserved forests, museums, and beautiful beaches that make a trip more than worthwhile. Top it off with the fact that this island is said to be the nation’s unofficial food capital, and there is no doubt that tourism plays a significant role in its economy. From the water’s edge at Clan Jetties to the magnificent blue sheen of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang is impressive. Here is a list of popular places to visit in Penang that you should not miss.
Popular places to visit in Penang
Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple- This is a South Indian Hindu temple located beside the Penang Bird Park. Constructed in 1997, it is remarkable because it has the tallest and largest Raja Gopuram (Main sculpture tower) in Malaysia. Being one of the popular places to visit in Malaysia, this temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Arulmigu Karumariamman. Situated in Sebarang Jaya, the entrance to the Raja Gopuram, at 21ft-tall and 11ft-wide, is also the largest in the nation. Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple started as a temple for estate workers who lived in the Pauma Estate in Perai until the area was turned into a city in 1970. At the urge of residents, the State Government gave the go-ahead to construct a new temple, and work started in 1996.
George Town- Located on the northeastern part of the Island, George Town is the capital city of Penang. In 2008, Penang Georgetown was recognized as a Heritage Site by UNESCO and has since that time flourished into a buzzing spot of creativity and commerce. From historical mansions to state art, Gorge Town has plenty of things to offer. Few of them are:
- Little India- Thanks to the Indian-Muslin community living here. You can enjoy breakfast with pasembur (sweet salad), murtabak (meat-stuffed pancake), roti jala (net bread), and biryani. You can also relish on varieties of colorful syrupy desserts. Food is regarded as a cross-cultural event between Arabic cuisine and Tamil Indians.
- Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm- With more than 15,000 free-flying butterflies and about 200 species of exotic plants, including the carnivorous pitcher plant, this should not be missed! If you have kids, they will like The Cocoon- this is where they can learn all about the lives of butterflies and other small creatures. A standard adult ticket costs RM 60 or RM 45.
Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest- Rising over 457 m above sea level, it is one of the popular places to visit in Penang. This forest sprawls over 37 hectares of hilly, lush terrain. This forest reserve is well-equipped with plenty of camping sites and different streams pouring into the shallow ponds. The 4-km hiking trail that leads all the way to the mountain’s summit is popular with joggers and hikers alike. You will also see a small waterfall that passes through this area, offering visitors a refreshingly cool dip.
Batu Ferringhi- One of the top places to visit in Penang, Batu Ferringhi encompasses a long stretch of white, soft sandy beach along a winding road named Jalan Batu Ferringhi with plenty of dining and accommodation options. Here, the night market is quite popular, while its waters are famous spots for a wide range of water sports activities like paragliding, windsurfing, and jet-skiing.
Clan Jetties- It is one of the must-visit places in Penang. Clan Jetties form a part of the Penang Heritage Trail. Earlier there used to be 7 jetties until one was destroyed by fire and now only six are remaining. Billed as one of the last bastions of old Chinese settlements on this island, this waterfront society is home to various clans. Situated straight down from Lebuh Chulia at Pengkalan Weld, these water villages are a century old.
Each jetty is named after a Chinese clan- the Chew Jetty is one of the most tourist-friendly spots with many stilt houses, the longest walkway, a temple that is worth seeing, and a lot of places for clicking beautiful pictures. The Clan Jetties are situated near to the Penang ferry terminal, with an entrance to the jetties situated through the temple of the harbor. The fun fact about this island is here none of the families have paid any tax till now. If you are wondering where to click beautiful pictures, then you must wait for sunset- the splash of orange color mixed with turquoise-blue seawater makes it a spectacular shot.
Dharmikarama Burmese Temple- This Buddhist Temple located outside Myanmar is one of the popular places to visit in Penang. Situated in Georgetown, Penang, it stands just opposite Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, with one pair of huge stone elephants near the front gate. Inside the Pagoda grounds, you will see a Boddhi tree, a pond where you can wish anything, and many apartments for monks. Devotees have provided several statues of Buddha, so you can find his serene-faced image at nearly every corner in different meditation poses.
The walkways have a series of panels with attractive murals showing the journey of Prince Siddhartha attaining Nirvana and becoming Buddha. The temple is busy during festivals like Wesak Day in April- a celebration just like Thailand’s Song Kran Festival, in which the devotees sprinkle water on each other and pay respect to their elders. In Malaysia, while worshipping you must remove shoes before entering the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple. One of the cheapest ways to reach Dharmikarama Burmese Temple from Komtar or Lebuh Chulia is to take bus #202, Hin Bus #93, or Minibus 26, 31 and 88.
Stay at a heritage museum or building- When you visit a place as steeped in history and heritage as Penang, it is better to assume that not all buildings were constructed in the past 20 or 30 years. This includes some hotels and restaurants. Popularly known as refurbished heritage sites, visitors can spend the night in these buildings much like any other hostel or hotel. Some places, like the Blue Mansion, even has a museum within the area. Other possible choices include the Seven Terraces, a Perankan themed boutique hotel. These places carry a profound link to Penang’s history and have a different ambiance altogether when compared to the Hard Rocks and the Bay Views.
If you planning to spend the weekend in Penang, an interstate road trip to Penang is one of the possible ways to explore the several interesting facets of the Malaysian Peninsula. Just rent a car, and head to these places:
Bandar Baharu- It is a town in Southern Kedah, situated along the Penang-Perak-Kedah border. This is a humble town consisting of seven sub-districts. Serdang is an administrative town of Bandar Baharu district, located about 20-kilo meters away. The Aeri Tasik Park was initially an inactive mine. Since then, it has been developed to become a recreation garden, a favorite for both adults and kids of the facilities. Plans have been made to improve the current condition of the park, which includes concrete bridges to link two lakes, a rest house for drivers, a floating restaurant, and a pedestrian pathway.
Mount Jerai- Earlier known as “Kedah’s Peak”, Mount Jerai is a huge limestone mountain that rises nearly 1200m over sea level. Considered as the highest peak in the state, it adds a unique touch of variety to the scenic flat plains throughout the area. It is exhausting for most of the cars to make it all the way to the top. So, once you arrive at the base of the imposing mountain, park your vehicle there and take a van. The chilled breeze is a definite arrival indicator.