Overview
There’s a lot can be said about Penang and more importantly, its largest city of Georgetown. The small offshore island on Malaysia’s western coast has become a well known tourist hub over last few decades for not only backpackers but high end tourists from around the world as well. It’s no surprise that people have started to flock to this island in recent years, regarding the fact that people have been coming to this important cultural and historical landmark for centuries.
Penang history has not been defined simply by the local Malays that first inhabited the island, but also by its large foreigner populations from China and southern India/Sri Lanka, as well as the colonial presence throughout the years by the English, Dutch and Portuguese.
The global imprint has left Penang a cultural jewel, a place that is more defined by its cultural background than any we have experience so far. Walking around the streets of Georgetown leaves you a bit confused, as Hindu temples and Chinese Buddhist monasteries cohabit the same streets, contrasted ever so diligently with the 19th century British colonial buildings, forts and gardens.
The world is so big, yet in Penang it is so small. Little India is but a few steps away from Chinatown. You can sit at a table and order world class Portuguese barbecue with the clanking of Malay food carts barking away, the call to prayer in the distance. We can’t classify what Penang means to travels, but we do understand its appeal; it is certainly somewhere that needs to be on your travel bucket list.
What To Do in Penang, Malaysia
Penang Malaysia is a brilliant place to spend a day, a week or even a month and is never short on things to do. The diversity of Penang is important to it being an awesome place to visit, as there are never a shortage of festivals, parties and celebrations to attend.
Climb the Stairs at Kek Lok Si Temple in
Kek Lo Si Temple is a massive Chinese influenced Buddhist temple about 30 minutes from Georgetown by bus. The temple is a perfect example of Chinese architecture, featuring stupas, buddha’s, dragons and the like. This is a perfect place to get one of the best views of the city and the buddha perched at its apex is something that is certainly not to be missed.
Fully Immerse yourself in Culture in Little India
Little India, set right in the heart of old Georgetown is the perfect place to test the waters to see if you can handle the real thing! Walk through the colorful streets and stand in awe as the sights, sounds and smells overwhelm your senses. The streets become cacophonous as speakers blaring loud Indian music, the yells of vendors and the smell of incense put you in a trance.
Pro Tip: This is one of the best places in town to try authentic southern Indian food, often served up on banana leaves.
Catch some views in one of the world’s Smallest National Parks
While many people come to Penang to enjoy Georgetown and its culture, don’t forget the it is set on a tropical island that features both wonderful beaches and jungle viewpoints. Take a bus from Georgetown’s center to Taman Negara National Park. If you are into hiking, make sure to wake up early and hike the 3-hour trek to its peak. The views are worth it!
Chill beachside at Batu Ferrenghi Beach
On the northern side of Penang, you can find a long sandy beach called Batu Ferranghi. It’s about a 50-minute bus ride from the center of Georgetown. At the beach you’ll find vendors selling “water activities” from banana boat riding, wake boarding and kite surfing at affordable prices as well as both tourists and locals soaking up the hot Malaysian sun.
Pro Tip: While many people are in the water and its not a huge problem, there are a significant amount of jellyfish in this area and getting stung is common. If this happens, go find a life guard and have him spray you with vinegar! They will be happy to help
Kek Lok Si Temple
Vegetarian Thali Plate
Batu Ferrenghi Beach
Penang Street Art
Chinatown
Angmoh Hostel
What To Eat
Laksa Asam: Different than your traditional curry laksa, this noodle soup features thick rice noodles and a sweet and sour fish stock, topped with red onions, mint and cilantro.
Roti Canai and Murtabak: These southern Indian delicacies can be found all over the city, but you have to go to Little India for the real thing. Roti Canai is a flat bread that is cooked quickly over a griddle often in front of restaurants or by street stall vendors.
You can see people making them notably by watching cooks flatten the bread out by whirling it in the air and slapping it on the table in front of them. Murtabak is a specialty dish made with the roti bread and then stuffing it with different fillings; from mutton to curry chicken and eggs. It is often served with pickled vegetables.
Wan Tan Mee: If you miss this dish in Malaysia, you have to go back and get it! Penang has a notable number of immigrants from China, especially from the Hainan region, where you also get the famous chicken and rice that can be found all over south east Asia.
You can order Wan Tan Mee as a soup or dry, and it is a dish that features yellow noodles, roasted pork, fried or steamed wanton dumplings, chives and a rich dark soy sauce broth. These stands can be found all over Penang and you really can’t go wrong with picking one.
Hawker Centers: Hawker centers are more or less Malaysia style food courts where various vendors all operate in one restaurant. You order drinks from the centers waiters and then you can get food from whatever stand is to your liking.
Nasi Kandar: Nasi Kandars are the place to try local Malay cuisine, a mixture of Indonesian and Indian food that truly defines the Malaysian way of eating. At the Kandars you can find chicken and mutton curries, fried chicken and fish dishes all served with Biryani, an Indian fried rice.
The way they make the dishes is a bit comical, as the vendor just starts tossing as much food as possible on your plate, mixing unique curries and sauces together until you get a mile-high mass of food that is just delightful. A plate at a Nasi Kandar shouldn’t cost more than $4.
Transportation
The public transportation system in Penang is really efficient and makes getting around cheaply quite simple. A ticket depending on your distance traveled will never cost more than $1 and often is around 50 cents per ride. There are bus stops all around the city, although they aren’t always the best marked.
Penang is known for having really bad traffic, especially in the city center, so expect that rides around the island will take significantly longer than you would expect.
Nightlife
If you are a backpacker, the nightlife is found on one main street called Love Lane, right off of Chulia street, where you will find many hostels, bars and restaurants. Love Lane is dotted with little hole in the wall bars as well as full on tourist bars featuring reggae music, beer towers and live concerts. It’s a bit of an expat haven right in the heart of old Georgetown.
My Travel Essentials For An Asian Backpacking Trip
Below you'll find a list of my must bring backpacking items. I have gotten this list down to my essentials through trial and error over 4 years of living in a backpack. I hope you'll find these items helpful on your journey!
►Main Backpacking Backpack: https://amzn.to/3vUHdik [Amazon]
►Great Front Facing Duffle-bag : https://amzn.to/3SjK6Ra [Amazon]
►Quick Dry Towel : https://amzn.to/3uarxH8 [Amazon]
►Multi Country Charger Adapter : https://amzn.to/3Ul37p0 [Amazon]
►Refillable Water Bottle : https://amzn.to/48SnG0n [Amazon]
►Padlock : https://amzn.to/3SdyYp7 [Amazon]
►Earplugs : https://amzn.to/498xTpl [Amazon]
►Power Bank : https://amzn.to/3SyXP8e [Amazon]
Travel Photography & Video Favorites
If you're interested in creating your own video content on your trip, these are some of my favorite items I've had. They work, they're effective and besides the Sony Aa7C, they aren't going to break the bank either!
►On the Go Video | Go Pro Hero 12 : https://amzn.to/3u38oHh [Amazon]
►Photography | Sony A7C : https://amzn.to/3u1Y6ap [Amazon]
►Portable Tripod | https://amzn.to/42ojHqc [Amazon]
►Lavalier Microphone | https://amzn.to/3SbL41U [Amazon]
►Drone | https://amzn.to/47TCwSY [Amazon]
►Portable Monitor | https://amzn.to/3Hzv2dg
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