Located just across the water from Penang, the town of Butterworth is a main stopping off point for people travelling from Thailand to Penang and also on to Kuala Lumpur. There is a sleeper train that runs all the way from Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok to Butterworth. Passengers can then change trains at Butterworth station and continue their journey to Kuala Lumpur.

There are also regular ferries running between Butterworth and Penang starting from 5:30 in the morning until just after midnight.

Although few people give Butterworth more than a fleeting glance, the town does have a few attractions to explore and there are some good places to stay if you arrive too late to catch the train or ferry.

If you do find yourself with a little time to kill in Butterworth, head to the Bird Park, which is just a short bus ride away from the Butterworth Ferry Terminal. Here you will find Malaysia’s largest bird park, which contains a collection of more than 300 species of birds, including the colourful hornbill.

As you wander around Butterworth you will be sure to spot the elaborately decorated Temple of the Ninth Emperor God, situated on Jalan Raja Ud. There is also a lush golf course known as Teluk Air Tawar, where golfers can play a round or two and stop off for refreshments at the bar.

Butterworth even has its own small stretch of sand, and this is a good place to relax for a while, dine on deliciously fresh seafood and perhaps indulge in a cocktail or two.

There are a number of different ways to get to Penang. The most direct way is by taking a flight to Penang’s Bayan Lepas International Airport is about 20 km away from Georgetown, the island’s capital. There are two flights each day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, and the flight takes less than two hours. There are also flights from a number of other destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Phuket.

Another good way to get to Penang is by taking the train to Butterworth, which originates in Bangkok and calls in at many towns and cities on its way south. There is another tarin that originates in Singapore and travels north through Malaysia. From Butterworth, simply catch the 24 hour ferry to Penang. The ferry toll is 40 sen for adults, 20 sen for children.

Buses connect Penang to a large number of destinations in Thailand and Malaysia such as Samui, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu. Also travelling by road, there is a minibus service from Georgetown to places such as Phi Phi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and Samui.

Getting around Penang is also quite simple as there are plenty of taxis. Many taxis don’t use a meter, so get an idea of the correct fare before starting off. Buses are frequent and cheap, but passengers need to have the exact change before boarding.

Believed to be the biggest Chinese Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, The Kek Lok Si Temple was conceived by Chinese monk the Venerable Beow Lean in 1885. In that year he traveled to Penang and was immediately struck by the beauty and perfect positioning of the hill, which reminded him of the shape of a crane.

The crane is an auspicious symbol in Chinese iconography and Venerable Beow Lean name the hill Huok San (Crane Hill), vowing to build a mighty monastery on it. Fundraising took determination and vision, but the temple was finally begun in 1893, with ceremonies to mark its completion in 1930. Kek Lok Si means Temple of Supreme Bliss and is also referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of heritage temples.’

The temple is situated on several levels and colourfully decorated with statues, ponds and lanterns. You can take a short railway lift The incline lift to see the 30.2m bronze statue of Kuan Yin; the Goddess of Mercy and spectacular views of Penang.

If you’re hungry, visit the Chinese restaurant at the base of the temple. Although everything on the menu is strictly meat-free, soy and tofu products are used and the cleaver cooks are able to recreate an extensive menu, from delicious spare ribs to crispy duck with plum sauce. At Kek Lok Si supreme bliss is gastronomic as well as spiritual.

One of the best things about Penang is the variety of delicious food available. People flock from all over Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand to sample the wide range of cuisines available, which include Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyonya, Thai and a sprinkling of Western dishes such as pasta and hamburgers.

As you walk through Penang’s Indian area, you are greeted by the scent of dozens of stalls and small shops cooking up spicy biriyanis, masalas, daal and dosas whilst meat marinated in tandori spices roasts on spits and in ovens.

Just a few roads away is Penang’s Chinese area. Here you will find shops selling all the traditional Chinese dishes as well as sweets such as moon cakes. Penang also caters excellently for vegetarians, with several of the Chinese and Indian restaurants serving delicious pure vegetarian food.

One of Penang’s most popular tradition dishes is laksa, a delicious rice vermicelli that can be eaten at any time of the day. There is also a more modern version with added ingredients such as sugar and meat, but I am interested in the original recipe, which has been served in Penang for generations. The taste is sour, spicy and very refreshing, the perfect sustenance for that long, strenuous climb up Penang Hill.

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