Penang and Georgetown Malaysia

Penang is Malaysia’s most tourist-visited destination with a fascinating fusion of eastern and western influences. Penang manages to embrace modernity while retaining its colonial charm.

Highlights

The historical centre of Georgetown has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist temples abound in Penang and are spread across the island.
Penang Hill, that is accessible via funicular, offers the best panoramic Views of Georgetown
Penang is renowned as a food paradise thanks to the multi-ethnic history

Penang, located on northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Strait of Malacca is one of the most developed and economically important states in Malaysia – and a thriving tourist destination as well.

Georgetown is the colorful multicultural capital of Penang. It has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site thanks to its well-preserved colonial buildings. Beyond its historical city centre, Georgetown is a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping malls.

Batu Ferringhi Beach is one of Penang’s most popular tourist attractions filled with accommodation and dining options. Batu Ferringhi is also famous for its night market and water sport activities.

Around Penang Island you will find several temples: Kek Lok Si Temple one of the largest and finest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia; Khoo Kongsi Temple a large Chinese clan house, Snake Temple filled with pit vipers; Wat Chayamangkalaram a Thai temple famous for its reclining Buddha; and Dhammikarama Burmese Temple.

Penang is a food paradise destination renewed for its mix of traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes, as well as fusion cuisines such as Baba Nyonya.

HOW TO GET THERE

You can use every form of transport imaginable; plane, train, bus, car and even a taxi. From Kuala Lumpur it generally takes around 5/6 hours to get to Penang, no matter which form of transport you use. Though it is only a 55 minute flight away from Kuala Lumpur.

There are many daily flights from numerous airports within and outside of Malaysia to Penang International Airport.

Between Langkawi and Penang also by boat. The trip between both islands will take approximately 2-5 hours.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

Just like the rest of Malaysia, Penang has a tropical rainforest climate that is bordering on a tropical monsoon climate. It is generally warm and humid all year round and it rains heavily between August and November.

During the day, Penang’s temperature reaches 30 to 32 degrees Celsius; during the evening, it reaches 23 to 25 degrees Celsius. It has 2, 670 millimeters of average annual rainfall and a relative humidity of 0 to 50%.

The best season to visit Penang would be between December and March when there is less rainfall.

ACCOMMODATION

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is the embodiment of both a special time and a special place. For well over a century, this remarkable hotel – known simply as `The E&O’ to generations of travellers – has stood as a testament to the grand elegance of the British colonial era.

In many ways, it has also come to represent Penang itself; its story inextricably woven into the island’s history, its traditions an indelible part of many a traveller’s treasured memory, its name synonymous with the magical island once known as The Pearl Of the Orient.