Penang is extremely multi-cultural and visitors will find a number of different districts here, each offering different aspects and attracts.

The Colonial District:

This area is perhaps one of the main draws in Georgetown as it has sites that date back to the British settlement in 1786. Fort Cornwallis is where Francis Light stepped ashore and a good place to start exploring the colonial district. Other sites to see in the vicinity are the Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, which was donated to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897; City Hall; the Sate Assembly building; Supreme Court; the island’s oldest Anglican church, which was built in 1818; the double-spire Cathedral of the Assumption and the Protestant Cemetery that holds the graves of Captain Francis Light and Thomas Leonowens, the young officer who married the school mistress of the King of Siam.

Chinatown:

This area is fascinating, not only because it has its own individual history and stores, but also because within the district and the immediate surrounding areas, pockets of Malay and Indian communities live. There are several heritage buildings that were once Chinese shop houses. Many of these have had the interiors converted to trendy restaurants while keeping the original exterior façade and maintaining the red tile roofing. Hawkers abound in this area and the market is certainly an experience.

Little India:

Known for the vibrant colours that deck the stalls selling saris, bangles, fabrics and all sorts of Indian trinkets. There are shops that sell spices, Indian restaurants, Indian pharmacies and ayuverdic shops. Temples are squeezed in between shops and at the corners of the main streets in this area. Little India bustles with life and excitement from 12:00 to 22:00.

The weather in Penang is generally sunny and it tends to be hot and humid throughout the year. Temperatures climb higher than in many Asian countries, usually reaching around 30˚C or higher in the daytime. Even at night, the temperature rarely falls below 20˚C. Although it tends to rain throughout the year, rainfall is particularly heavy during the monsoon season, which lasts from November until February.

Many people find travelling in the hot and humid weather taxing, so allow plenty of time to recover after long journeys and carry plenty of water with you. Generally, the best time to visit Penang is from May to September.

However, the heaviest rail tends to occur from May to October on the west coast of Penang and those intent on soaking up the sun on the beach should avoid arriving during this period. However, the monsoon season is the best time to spot some of Penang’s wildlife and this is a pleasant time to wander through the park.

The best time to see some of Penang’s most colourful festivals is during the winter months of November, December and January. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa are all vibrant affairs and celebrated with gusto all around the island

Penang is a real melting pot, where a large number of cultures live side by side. This means that the country celebrates a large number of festivals, with the Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist religious festivals all being observed. Here are some major Penang festivals to look out for.

Many festivals revolve around the lunar calendar, so dates vary slightly from year to year.

New Year’s Day:  January 1st is a public holiday and New Year’s Eve is marked in most cities with sporting events, competitions, exhibitions and cultural performances by Malaysian multi-ethnic groups.

Chinese New Year:  lasts for 15 days and is very colourful, filled with feasting and firework displays. Gather to watch the traditional dragon and lion dances, which take place to the beat of gongs and drums. Penang is the best place to experience Chinese New Year in Malaysia.

Thaipusam:  This festival is celebrated by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar. Thaipusam is a day for penance and atonement and during this time devotees to fulfill a vow they have made to Lord Muruga, who is also known as Lord Subramaniam. Devotion is demonstrated by fasting and piercing their bodies with elaborately decorated metal structures decorated with colored paper, fresh fruit and flowers and parading through the streets.

Wesak Day:  Buddhists celebrate this festival in May to remember the birth, enlightenment and ascension of Lord Buddha. The daytime is filled with visits to the temple and merit making, while there are processions of floats and candles in the streets after dark.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri: Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, this Muslim festival marks the end of fasting throughout the month of Ramadhan, which is the tenth month of the Muslim calendar. The celebrations last for one month and feature bright decorations, feasting and parties

Lantern and Moon Cake Festival:  This festival is celebrated by all Malaysians, who hang colourful lanterns on their houses and eat moon cakes in this celebration of peace and unity.

Hungry Ghost Festival:  According to Chinese tradition the gates of hell are opened during the 15th day of the seventh lunar month to allow the hungry ghosts to wander the Earth in search of food and possibly seek revenge. The Chinese hold a festival at this time to remember their dead ancestors and pay tribute to them, setting aside food for them and burning money so that their relatives can use it in the afterlife

Deepavali: The Festival of Lights, Deepavali is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil, marking the legendary time when Lord Krishna defeated Narkansura. Mainly celebrated by Hindus, people visit the temple during the day and lit candles and oil lamps in the evening. There are colourful parades through the street and much merrymaking

Christmas:  Unlike most Asian countries, Penang celebrates Christmas much like people do in western countries. Houses are decorated with lights and a large Christmas tree, carols are sung and the traditional roast turkey dinner is often eaten to celebrate the birth of Jesus

Penang receives a large number of tourists and the Malay people are used to the different habits of foreigners. Although Malay people tend to be tolerant to cultural differences, it is important to remember that this is a conservative country and you should show respect by trying to follow the established customs.

Clothing:
Avoid showing too much skin when travelling in Malaysia. It is best to wear trousers rather than shorts and keep your shoulders covered. People who wear tight clothing, shorts and strappy tops will often be treated with distain and even refused admittance to certain places such as temples. Be sure to remove your shoes before entering temples or private houses and place them neatly outside the doorway.

Greetings:
Smile when you greet people. The traditional greeting is known as a salam and resembles a handshake with both hands but without making contact. The man will offer both hands, lightly touching his friend’s outstretched hands, and then bringing his hands to his chest, which means “I greet you from my heart”. The visitor should reciprocate the salam, but never shake hands unless someone initiates the gesture and don’t touch people on the head as this is seen as an insult.
Malay men are addressed as Encik, with or without their name afterwards Single Malay women should be called Che and married women Puan.

Eating etiquette:
Avoid eating with your left hand as it is considered unclean. Malays and Indians often eat with their right hand, while Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks. Knives aren’t usually used in Malaysia and a fork and spoon will often be provided. It is considered bad manners to put the fork in your mouth. Instead, use the fork to push food on to the spoon and lift the spoon to your mouth.

Showing Affection:
Sexual relations between people who aren’t married are actually illegal, and this extends to relationships between Lao people and foreigners. Public displays of affection such as kissing and holding hands can be offensive to Lao people, as is greeting them with a hug or kiss on the cheek.

Taboo Subjects:
Be careful not to criticize the Government and members of the Malay royal family. Avoid talking about homosexuality or ethnic relations.

Malaysia’s currency is the Malaysian ringgit, which is pronounced rin-gay and written as RM. There are 100 sen in one ringgit, which is also often referred to as a dollar. Notes come in RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 notes, while the available coins are 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen.

Costs:
Generally speaking, the cost of living in Malaysia in higher than in many Asian countries, especially Thailand and Laos, although it is cheaper than is Indonesian and significantly less than in western countries. Those on a tight budget should be able to spend just $20 a day, although this will only buy the absolute basics and $35 a day will allow you a few small luxuries. Those who can afford to spend $150 each day will be able to stay in some of the country’s top hotels and dine in style, while for those with a real taste for luxury $275 a day should be more than enough to experience the best of Malaysia.

ATMs:
ATM machines are abundant in all Malaysian cities, especially in shopping areas. The most reliable machines are attached to banks and it is probably best to stick to these as ATM machines to occasionally swallow cards.

Travellers’ Cheques and Credit Cards:
Most major credit cards are generally accepted in top of the range hotels, shops and restaurants throughout Malaysia. Check for surcharges added to your bill before you pay as these are illegal. Travellers’ cheques in pounds sterling or US Dollars can be cashed in most banks and even some shops.

Changing Your Money:
It is illegal to carry more than RM1000 into or out of Malaysia, so most of your money will need to be changed within the country. Although there are a large number of banks located around Malaysia with money changing facilities, the best deals are found at licensed moneychangers’ kiosks. These kiosks pop up all over Malaysia and tend to stay open until about 6pm.

When travelling in Malaysia it is important to remember that this is a conservative country. Consequently, things that may not seem like a big deal in western countries or only receive a slight fine are seen as major offences in Malaysia and receive severe punishments.

Possession of drugs in Malaysia can be punished by the death sentence, even if you are carrying a small amount for personal use. It is best to avoid all contact with drugs in Malaysia and be suspicious of any stranger who offers to give or sell you drugs. Gambling is also highly illegal and can receive a heavy punishment.

Pick pocketing is a common crime in large towns and cities, especially Johor. There are also incidents of people driving up on motorbikes and snatching bags, often taking their victim along with them if they refuse to let go. Carry your bag on the shoulder facing away from the road and keep a close eye on your possessions in crowded areas.

Vehicles do not stop at pedestrian crossings and it is safer to cross busy roads at pedestrian bridges and pedestrian traffic lights.

Buy a good padlock for your bag and hotel door. You may find that windows don’t always fasten properly and you should fasten them securely with a cable lock. Don’t leave valuables in hotel rooms: carry your passport or ID document and other valuables with you at all times or deposit them in the hotel safe.

Make sure you negotiate the taxi fare with the driver before getting in and try to avoid fake or unregistered taxis late at night by using a dial-a-taxi service.

Women travellers will generally be safe in Malaysia as long as they dress conservatively. However, if staying in a hotel room alone at night you may receive unwanted visits at night. Be sure to lock the door at all times and if in doubt leave it closed.

There are plenty of transport options in Penang tends to be safe and reliable and with plenty of public transport to choose from as well as private transport.

Plane:
Penang has its own airport and there are regular direct flights from places such as Kuala Lumpur as well as international destinations such as Bangkok. The main airline is Malaysia Airlines and booking in advance online can save quite a bit of cash. Cheap flights are also provided by AirAsia.

Bus
Buses are the cheapest way to get around Penang and the best place to catch the bus and guarantee a seat is at the town’s bus terminal. There are luxury buses available for long-distance travel and these can be booked a couple of days in advance. The air-conditioned buses can be rather chilly, so take a blanket with you. Although they tend to be rather slow, local buses are regular and reliable.

Car and motorcycle:
Driving in Penang is safe and convenient as the roads are good and there are plenty of new cars available to hire. Road rules are basically the same as in Britain and Australia, with right-hand drive cars that stick to the left side of the road. Petrol is generally cheap and motorbikes can also be hired from guesthouses in tourist towns and cities. Although Malaysian drivers are generally good, drivers still need to be careful, especially in large towns and cities as animals often roam freely across the roads.

Taxis:
Taxis can be found driving around the city streets looking for customers. You will usually need to negotiate the fare in advance and it is a good idea to ask the staff at you guesthouse for an estimate of the going rate.

Trishaws:
These bicycle rickshaws seat too people and can be a romantic way to see the sights.

The large an elegant Penang State Mosque took four years to complete and can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers at a time. The mosque is at its busiest in Fridays, when Muslims from all over Penang go there to worship. This is by far the largest mosque in Penang and one of the largest in the whole of Malaysia.

Located on the corner of Jalan Air Itam and Jalan Mesjid Negeri, the Penang State Mosque was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who also designed the national cathedral in Brasilia, Brazil. Constructed in the 1970s, the mosque features Western Modernist as well as Malay elements in its design and the onion-shaped domes were designed by a Filipino architect.

Those who wish to enter the Penang State Mosque must first obtain permission from the State Religious Department, which is located on Pantai Street in George Town. However, most visitors are happy simply to gaze at the mosque from the outside. Visitors also need to dress appropriately, which means covering their heads and removing their shoes before entering the mosque.

Visitors to the Penang State Mosque can take Rapid Penang bus 206 from George Town, while t304 also passes nearby on Green Lane.

Located just a short walk from Chulia Street is the impressive Fort Cornwallis, which is the largest complete fortress still standing in the whole of Malaysia. The fort has been built on the site of Francis Light’s historic landing in 1786 and was originally a wooden stockade. The current structure was built by convicts in 1804 and based on the design of British forts in India.

Named after the Governor-General of Bengal, Charles Marquis Cornwallis, Fort Cornwallis can be found at Padang Kota Lama and provides pretty views across the water to Butterworth. This is a good place to learn about the unique history of George Town and indeed the whole of Penang as the fort’s former prison cells have been turned into small museums containing pictures, artifacts and plenty of information.

Visitors are free to wander around the inside of the fort at leisure, exploring the history gallery and handicraft and souvenir center that lies within. There is also a large statue in tribute to Francis Light as well as the famous Dutch cannon that was presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch in 1606. Known as the Seri Rambai, this cannon was reclaimed by the Dutch in 1613 and taken to Java, where it stayed until 1795. At this time the cannon was given to Acheh and brought to Kuala Selangor before later being seized by the British and brought over to Penang. According to local legend Seri Rambai possesses magical powers and t women who place flowers on the barrel will have improved fertility.

Fort Canning is open to visitors from 8:30 – 19:00 and admission costs RM 1.00.