Penang and food, perhaps these two words don’t mean much to you but they certainly mean a lot to a real gourmet as Penang has been regarded as the food capital of Malaysia for ages. The amount of food is literally bombarding you while you are taking a walk along the most famous Lebuh Chulia (Chulia street, George town), where on each side of the street there is nothing but restaurants in the amount that your imagination would struggle to make up.

There are two great things that you will be astounded to know about Penang food, first is that the quality of food is flawless and the second nice thing is its variety, including cooking styles. Actually Penang is always referred to as a Mecca for food lovers when people talk about Malaysia.

Whether you are craving for something really exotic or just dreaming about making your belly as happy as it can possibly be Penang will do the job no matter what. Another great thing to know about dining in Penang is, whether it is a really fancy restaurant or just a little food stall on the side of the street it will cost you absolutely nothing to have a brilliant meal.

Since eating out in Penang is considered as the most favourite pastime you would certainly guess that most of the places are open 24 hours and they are. Local spices as well as imported are truly impossible to resist. A lot of tourists can end up eating even when they are not hungry, while just passing a little restaurant, simply a scent of local cuisine may drag you in for a while.

Visitors to Penang will find lots to see and do in one relatively small and negotiable island.

High above the city is Penang Hill easily scaled by R2 railway affords visitors a terrific view of colonial Georgetown and the islands beaches.

Temple lovers will find a pleasant treasure trove in Thee Kong Tua (Jade Emporers temple) in Air Itam built by Taoists and recently renovated, for Thee Kong who they believe to be the supreme ruler of Heaven. There is also Chor Soo Kong Temple (Snake Temple) guarded by vipers which have had their venom removed…..fortunately for us.

Lastly there is Key Lok Si Temple (Temple of Supreme Bliss) the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, overlooking Air Itam, it is perhaps the best known temple in the region.

The Reclining Buddha at Wat Chayamangkalaram was built in 1845by a Buddhist monk. Situated in the old town of Pulau Titus it is 33 metres high and covered in glistening gold.

Penang is host to the Penang Toy Museum containing 100,000 exhibits of toys, dolls and games, making it the worlds largest.

Nature lovers will enjoy The Butterfly farm which is home to many species of fluttering butterflies as well as scorpions and other fascinating insects.

The Tropical Spice Garden is a great place for an afternoon drink and view over 500 different types of tropical fauna.

Penang National Park (Muka Head) in Pantai Acheh compact but with many eco exhibits including a salt and fresh water lake, as well as a fully functioning lighthouse making it the perfect location for a picnic or a relaxing rest in the tropical sunshine.

Located off of Malaysia’s western coast, near the border with Thailand, the island of Penang is a very popular tourist destination. Since its days as the first trading post of the British in the Far East, Penang has seen a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, with a particularly strong Chinese flavour.

Getting there: Penang Airport is one of Malaysia’s larger and better-equipped airports, with regular connections to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Langkawi. The airport is located on the southeastern coast of the island, not far from Georgetown. There are no trains on Penang itself, but it is possible to take the train to Butterworth on the mainland and then catch the ferry. Penang is connected to the mainland by one of the longest bridges in Asia, enabling long-distance bus travel to and from a variety of Malaysian destinations.

Key attractions: Beaches, history, diverse culture, shopping, food – you name it, Penang has it. The capital, Georgetown, is the only significant settlement on this large island, with high-rise hotels and good tourist facilities, as well as lovely tree-lined suburbs that belie Penang’s colonial past.

In the centre of Georgetown is Fort Cornwallis which dates from the late 1700s.  A funicular railway will take you to the top of Penang Hill behind Georgetown to admire the excellent views and visit the interesting mosque and Hindu temple. The Khoo Kongsi and Kuan Yin Teng are fine examples of active Chinese temples in the city.

Out and about: The Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, at the island’s westernmost tip, encompasses sandy beaches, rocky coasts and both lowland and hillside forests. On the northwestern coastline are some of the finest and least known beaches on the island, accessible only by a hike from Teluk Bahang, or by sea. The Kek Lok Si,  located at Air Itam, is considered one of the largest temple and most beautiful complex temple in Southeast Asia. It comprises of a seven-storey pagoda influenced by Burmese, Chinese and Thai craftsmanship.

Leisure options: As fabulous as Penang’s beaches are for soaking up the sun, there is a treasure trove in the emerald hills offering trails aplenty to curious strollers and energetic hikers alike. Penang is also a resort island, with an abundance of fine hotels, night clubs and restaurants; it is the ideal playground for sun-worshippers after a hard day at the beach.

Safety: Be alert when travelling in unfamiliar territory. Tourists are more susceptible to pickpocketing, theft or loss of personal effects. Outdoor activities and travel in primitive cultures places you at greater risk. Disrupted travel plans through natural disasters, accidents and other unforeseen events can result in financial loss. We therefore strongly

There is an excellent range of accommodation available in Penang, range from cheap and cheerful backpacker guesthouses with fans and shared bathrooms to luxury hotels with all the trimmings. Those on a tight budget can pay just RM20 for a basic room, while those who like to stay in style will find plenty of four and five star hotels to choose from.

For the modest visitor who is here on a budget but eager to experience the local hospitality in its simplest form, the conveniently located hotels in Georgetown, along Chulia Street and Penang road are an ideal choice. There are dozens of places to choose from in this area and these establishments offer a wide range of services as well as providing a cosy place to meet other travellers.

For the more discerning traveller who wants a bit of the same action but prefers a more sophisticated and luxurious environment, there is a whole range of choices from three-star to five-star hotels. These city hotels are located conveniently around Georgetown area are just right for business travellers who needs to be near the city centre.

Penang’s famous beach hotels and resorts are located along one of the finest beach paradises in Southeast Asia; they guarantee relaxation, sun and enjoyment that are so characteristic of Penang. These famous beach hotels are strictly for those who come to Penang for a spell of relaxation.

Andaman daze

Soak up the culture on this island that blends ancient Malay, Asian colonial and Chinese immigrant influences in one fascinating destination. Penang is a favourite destination in Malaysia, combining tropical beaches with sophisticated hospitality and historic interest.

Soon you’ll be able to experience all this virtually before you come, this travel blog on Penang is the beta version of a full online travel guide that will include colour pics and hundreds of pages of tourist info on the island. Trust us we’re Asian travel specialists.

Penang has dozens of good excuses to attract you; be it great beaches, water sports, intriguing culture, multi-cultural cuisine, lush tropical hiking trails, botanical gardens, crumbling old architecture, colourful festivals and exotic temples. Experience it all here.

Shopping
Whether you need to pick up a few essentials or a seeking out that perfect engagement gift, we’ve got the inside story… more

Hospitality
Everything from cheap rooms in hostels to the best luxury hotels in town plus spas, restaurants and nightlife tips… more

What to see
All the top attractions listed in complete detail including city tours and highlights for those short on time… more

Malaysian Culture
This diverse and wondrous land is begging to be discovered by cultured visitors with time on their hands… more

Living here
Complete guide to everthing an expat is every going to need for long-term stays in Penang… more

What to do
Whether you want to browse for gifts, indulge in some pampering, play sport or see the sights… more

Peninsular Malaysia
Guide to areas of the countries which are an easy leap away from Penang for when the city gets too much… more

Getting here
All your transport needs taken care of in one simple section including plane, train or taxi… more

Before booking your flights and accommodation you should try to find discount vouchers online. There are several sites now offering this popular promotions tool for savings and bargains and one UK site we can recommend is discountvouchers.co.uk