Clan Jetties Chinese fishing village. Buy tickets to Penang

Penang Island is located west coast Malaysia and is a separate state with its capital in the city of Georgetown. Speaking of an island, we usually imagine a small piece of land with palm trees and sand, but Penang does not fit into this framework: huge, with excellent developed infrastructure, high-rise buildings, offices of the largest corporations and the flow of cars.

Georgetown itself is just a fantastic mix of cultures and peoples, it’s not for nothing that the island was recognized the best direction for gastronomic tourism in Asia - there is Chinese, Indian and, of course, local kitchen. Once the island was a colony of the British and colonial architecture has been preserved here in good condition, like the one we saw in. Read about the sights of Penang and interesting places with photos below.

How to get to Penang?

By plane

Penang Airport is located 18 km south of Georgetown and receives flights from many airlines from many cities in Asia. Flies here and such as Air Asia.

From Russia, it will be easiest and cheapest to fly with a transfer in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, but you can try to catch sale tickets to Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta and fly from there. For example, a Kuala Lumpur Penang ticket can be easily bought for $7-10 from Air Asia. It's even cheaper than getting to the island by bus.

A taxi from the airport to the city costs about 45 RM, the journey takes half an hour, or you can take the 401 bus in an hour and 3 RM. Buses run from morning to evening every half an hour.

On a ferryboat

The city of Butterworth is the main access point to the island of Penang. Most cheap option- this is to sail on a ferry for 1.2 RM, and this amount is taken only for travel there, and back for free. The cost of transporting a car is 7.7 RM.

Ferries leave every 15 minutes from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, and run until 1:00 am, but less frequently. The pier is located next to the railway station and bus station in Butterworth - it’s convenient that you don’t have to go through the whole city - I moved and that’s it.

From Penang you can get to Langkawi and vice versa - the cost of ferries is 60 RM one way, travel time is 2-2.5 hours. Ferries leave from Penang in the morning at 08.15 and 08.30, as well as at 14.00. From Langkawi to Penang - at 10.30, 14.30 and 17.15.

By bus

The bus station in Penang is called Sungei Nibong and can be reached from Kuala Lumpur, Ipo, Cameron Highlands, Singapore, Kota Bharu and many other cities in Malaysia, as well as from Hat Yai in Thailand.

You can also get to Butterworth, and then by ferry, as mentioned above. A taxi from the Penang bus station to Georgetown will cost about 25 RM, and from Butterworth to the same place - 50 RM.

By train

The railway station is also located in Butterworth, where there is one train per day from Hat Yai (about 4 hours) and four trains from Kuala Lumpur (about 6 hours). Prices differ depending on the class of the wagon.

Cruise ship, probably sailing to Langkawi

Transport in Penang

It's very cool that there is a network on the island bus routes, owned by the state company Rapid Penang. They cover all important and interesting points on the island. The main buses you may need:

401 - goes from the airport, through the bus station to the center of Georgetown

101 - from the pier through the center and shopping center and Komtar bus station along the northern road to Batu Ferrenghi and the national park.

204 - from the pier to Penang Hill.

You can also rent a motorbike or bicycle, and taxis can be found everywhere, they are metered. Another, authentic way of transportation are cycle rickshaws called trishaw (trisho).

Trishaw drivers rest in the shade

They are at work

Sights of Penang

The most important and famous attraction of Penang is city ​​of Georgetau n with colonial architecture, Chinese and Indian quarters (Chinatown and Little India), mosques, Chinese temples, Indian sanctuaries. Just walk around the center, absorbing the sounds and smells, chat with people living in these places, especially since almost everyone knows English at a decent level.

Courthouse

It is very interesting to look at the so-called clanhouses or clan houses. They appeared during the settlement of Penang by the Chinese, they formed something like their own quarters, with a way of life almost like in China.

Chinatown

You will probably not find so many beautiful doors anywhere else.

Walking around the city, be sure to stumble upon a Chinese temple

In the center there are the remains of a fortress called Fort Cornwallis with cannons and the mast of a large ship.

For lovers of museums, there are a couple of them in the city, but we didn’t go into them, so we don’t know how it is there. I indicated the main points of interest on the map of Penang at the bottom of the post.

By the way, there are free tourist buses, which carry around the main interesting places - it's a great idea to use them, we recommend!

They also drive expensive double-decker sightseeing buses for European pensioners :-) Not a budget option

Expensive sightseeing buses

Penang is also famous for its street art: artists simply take whole walls or part of them and paint them. It turns out beautifully and gives the city center a special charm, along with ancient buildings.

Street art in Georgetown

Beautiful and realistic drawings!

Yes, it's Minion!

We have a whole series of photos with multi-colored doors, you can even make a photo collage! A very photogenic city

The majority of the population is Chinese, there is also a significant proportion of Hindus and Malays. Only in the city you can find many religious buildings that peacefully coexist with each other.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Another, more colorful mosque

Be sure to try Indian and Chinese cuisine at local authentic restaurants. We are big fans of Indian cuisine, so we ate several times in one delicious, but at the same time inexpensive place— Sri Ananda Bahwan. They serve dishes of southern and northern India, real colorful Indians, and are very inexpensive - you can eat and drink for two for 12 RM ($ 3).

Vegetarian set

Indian Restaurant, Georgetown

The capital of the island is also suitable as a place for excellent shopping, for example, the most high building on the island is the Komtar shopping and office center.

Outside Georgetown:

Penang Hill- a high mountain with excellent views of the island and the sea, especially at sunset. To climb here you can use the lift for 30 ringit (round trip). Theoretically, you can climb the road from the botanical gardens for about 5-6 km, or vice versa, go down the mountain to the gardens.

Kek Lok Si Monastery- one of the largest Buddhist temples in Malaysia, the construction of which was financed by the Chinese community of Penang.

Batu Ferrenghi The best beach in Penang island. Although the island is mostly visited not for swimming and beach recreation, nevertheless, there are beaches here. On Batu Ferrenghi you can find various water activities, massages and restaurants, in a word, everything that is usually found in resorts.

penang national park. The park is located on a cape in the northwest of the island, and it is the smallest in Malaysia. It's nice to walk through the jungle, swim in the sea and lie down in hammocks on quiet and deserted beaches. While walking along the path in the forest, we met huge one and a half meter monitor lizards three times! They have never been seen before, even in the zoo, but here they are in their natural environment.

There are several trails in the park, a map of which you will be given in the information window. Admission is free, and you will have to pay 7 ringit for a walk along the hanging path through the trees, although it was under reconstruction during our stay.

Farms of tropical fruits and butterflies. Not far from the national park there are farms where you can see how fruits are grown and taste the juice from them; or look at butterflies.

These are just the main attractions of the island, ask at the guesthouse and they will tell you more what to see in Penang.

Other posts about Malaysia:

Penang Hotels

It is best and most convenient to stay in Georgetown - there are interesting neighborhoods and all transport to other parts of the island. Many hotels in Penang are simply charming! Old colonial buildings with high ceilings, unusual layout and stucco.

We lived in a guesthouse - it became just an outlet, we were already tired of living in standard boxes or bungalows. There is round-the-clock tea and coffee, a refrigerator and a microwave, soft sofas in the lobby - a pleasant and cozy atmosphere, in general! A double room costs from 50 ringit - clean and tidy.

You can find and book a hotel in Penang on the website or right here on the hotel map.

Also, take a look at what options are available on the largest service for renting housing from owners (follow the link and get $20 as a gift!)

Historic neighborhoods of Georgetown

Penang map

We put important points on the map of Penang to make it easier for you to navigate - use it!

Penang is a Malaysian state bordering the Adaman Sea. Tourists are attracted by golden sand beaches, an abundance of temple architecture, magnificent nature and developed infrastructure.

The resort is in high demand Batu Ferringhi, because in this part of Penang is large quantity hotels and tourist entertainment. It is worth noting that the most favorable time to visit Malaysia is the period from October to March, because not everyone will like to relax during the rainy season. You can get here from Kuala Lumpur, the flight time will take less than an hour. So, what exactly are the attractions in Penang worth visiting?

This temple is considered the largest in Malaysia, and in a good way it should be called a temple complex, because there are many buildings on its territory. Kek Lok Si is located on an elevated position, so visitors can enjoy the view of the mountains and the city.

It is noteworthy that the complex is not made in a single architectural style, as it has been built for over 40 years. This makes the temple a kind of encyclopedia of Malaysian religious architecture.

Location: Tingkat Lembah Ria - 1.

Not far from Georgetown is a mountain, from the top of which a breathtaking view opens up. Of course, you don’t need to climb it on your own (its height is a little less than a kilometer), and a ride on the funicular can be another memorable moment of the trip. Apart from chic look on the island, the mountain can offer its visitors a recreation area, a playground, a food court, an owl museum and even temples.

Few people know that Malaysia has its own Brooklyn Bridge, which looks no less monumental than its famous brother from New York. lovers modern architecture they will definitely not be disappointed, and hunters for spectacular photographs will be able to take many good shots here, because the bridge offers a view of the sea and the city.

Built in the 19th century Buddhist temple notable for the fact that on its territory lives a large number of poisonous snakes. But do not be afraid and cross this place off the list of interesting sights, because snakes cannot do any harm here - their poison is neutralized by incense, so far not a single visitor to the temple has been bitten by its unusual inhabitants.

This well-groomed and planted park is inhabited by more than five thousand butterflies of the most different types, and territorially it is considered one of the largest butterfly farms in the world. But that's not all. There is a garden with tropical fruits, and other fauna is represented by scorpions, geckos, snakes and many other species. An excursion to this park will be informative for both young naturalists and their parents.

The first Buddhist temple, built in Penang in 1803, is made in gold and red, which looks very impressive. But not only the beauty of this building attracts many tourists: there is even an elevator, and donations are accepted using curious mechanisms. There is also a recreation area for the heat-exhausted guests of the temple.

Location: 24 - Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus,.

This museum will cause a storm of delight among little travelers. Its creators claim that it is the largest toy museum in the world, and they have every reason to believe so: more than a hundred thousand rare exhibits are collected here, and there is also a large collection wax figures. A huge plus is that with plush and wax friends you can take as many pictures as you like.

This attraction will most of all please lovers of exotic fruits, because there are a great many of them growing here, for every taste. Everything that grows on the farm can be tasted, drunk in the form of freshly squeezed juice or purchased much cheaper than in city stores. What could be better than the day spent on a tropical farm surrounded by exotic plants?

Georgetown - the center of Penang - was founded in the XVIII century, so it has old and new areas. enjoys great popularity historic district called Old Town: it is here that the main architectural gems of the city are located. Narrow streets, historic landmarks and incredibly delicious street food - all this awaits tourists in the historic quarter of Georgetown.

Where else to look at outlandish birds, if not in Malaysia? This park is not as large as in the capital of the country, but it is also quite informative. It features more than 300 species of birds that fly right through the park. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of the flowers in the delightful garden, as well as a show with trained parrots every day.

Hu Kongsi House (Georgetown)

This ornate structure is the so-called clan house. Clan houses were built by Chinese families and were intended for all family members to live in them. Once this palace was built for the Hu clan, but after the fire that happened here and the subsequent restoration of the house, it was turned into a museum that everyone can visit. In Hu Kongsi you can see paintings, stone carvings, luxurious interiors. Opera performances are also held here.

Location: 18 - Cannon Square.

Penang boasts not only an abundance of Buddhist temples, but also churches of other religions. This is the first Anglican church in Southeast Asia, and against the backdrop of unusual Penang architecture, this austere white building looks especially exotic. Tourists are allowed to freely enter the church and take pictures.

Location: 1 - Lebuh Farquhar.

This place is not an ordinary museum, but rather a skillfully made interactive exhibition dedicated to the history of Penang. The creators tried to present the key information as interesting as possible in order to interest young visitors, so the museum is full of funny pictures and entertainment. It is worth going here first of all with children, however, adults will also be interested to learn about the life and history of the state.

Location: 39 - Jalan Green Hall.

This fortress was built in the 18th century by the British who landed in Penang. Initially, it was made of wood, and the fortress was surrounded with stone a little later. The exposition located at the fort will tell a lot about the history of Penang, and local women believe that one of the Cornwellis cannons gives offspring. To believe it or not is the business of tourists, but beliefs do not just arise.

Penang is a very rich island. Here you can enjoy tropical gardens, taste exotic fruits, admire outlandish birds, learn a little more about the religion and history of Malaysia - in a word, a vacation in Penang is rich in impressions and entertainment for every taste.

Penang is famous not only for its beaches, magnificent views, but also for a huge number of attractions. Even Paris can envy the map of the island with historical sights. By the way, you can get a map of Penang with attractions for free at your hotel or at the tourist information center.

One of the main symbols of the island is considered penang bridge connecting it to the mainland. This is the third longest bridge in the world. Its length is 13.5 km. Be sure to walk across the bridge for some great photos of Penang's sights.

Description of the sights of Penang is difficult to imagine without Serpent Temple. Not only the architecture, but also the mass of legends associated with the temple attracts the attention of tourists. Every year, thousands of people witness a miracle - during the days of Buddhist holidays, a huge number of snakes crawl into the temple.

Dominates Georgetown mountain Bukit Bendera. You can climb to a height of 833 meters on foot or by funicular. At the top there is an observation deck from which you can see the island of Penang in all its beauty.

There are a lot of religious buildings on the island. You can find Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and Confucian temples here. Magnificence astounds the imagination Temple of Supreme Bliss(Kek Lok Si), the construction of which lasted more than 20 years. This temple is rightfully recognized as the most beautiful and largest Buddhist complex in all of Southeast Asia. Next to the temple is a lovely Ban Pa Thar pagoda. Visitors to the temple can feed the live turtles in the pond and thus pray for their longevity.

In addition to religious buildings, you can visit sights related to the colonial past of the island. Interesting in this respect Fort Cornwallis and the Penang Historical Museum.

Undoubtedly, Chinatown has become one of the attractions of Penang - Chinatown. This is the old part of Georgetown, which is under the auspices of UNESCO. This is where the heart of Penang beats. A lively quarter with names similar to bird trills, with a special color and rhythm of life, attracts the constant attention of tourists.

Before leaving for the island, be sure to read the description of the sights of Penang in Russian in order to highlight those that are most interesting to you. Because your time is definitely not enough to see all the wonders of this island.

Island Penang- an island in the north-west of Malaysia, located a few kilometers from the mainland and connected to it by two bridges. The state of Penang includes not only the island itself, but also part of the mainland. The name of the island Penang is sometimes written with an "e" and sometimes with an "i". On the google map the island is called Penang, but I often meet spelling (through "e").

Penang Island or Penang, Malaysia

Many Thai winterers and long-livers are familiar with the island of Penang, because it is here that they go for a visa run from, and other cities in Thailand. Visa holders mostly come to Penang for only 2-3 days (just to have time to submit documents and pick up a passport with a visa), but numerous (especially Chinese 🙂) tourists stay in Penang for a longer period 🙂

We stayed on the island of Penang for only a few days, and saw some of the sights of Penang, so the review in this article is from the point of view ordinary tourist, not a long-liver. We did not look for large supermarkets and good markets, did not try to save on food, movement around the island and on all sorts of little things. And we were also very unlucky: we arrived in Penang during a period of heavy smog from Indonesian fires (who remembers, there was also smog on Koh Samui at that time), from which not only was there terrible visibility and all the landscapes were in a haze, but also and walking around the city was very difficult: hot and stuffy.

Penang Island: general information

Until 1786, Penang belonged to the Sultan of Kedah and was uninhabited, then passed to the British, who settled on the island for many years: Penang remained under the control of the British right up to 1957. Since 1963, the island became part of Malaysia. Now Penang is one of the most major islands Malaysia and one of the most densely populated areas of the country (after Kuala Lumpur).

The sphere of tourism and hotel industry is very developed in Penang: not only tourists come to the island for recreation, large international conferences and business forums are often held in Penang. In addition to tourism, Penang has a developed electronics industry, with offices of large electronic companies located here. And, of course, rice, fruits, and rubber are grown on the island. Penang is also a significant commercial center of Malaysia.

The bulk of the population of Penang Island are Chinese, Indians and Malays. This means that in addition to mosques, you can see Chinese, Hindu and even Catholic temples in the city! And there is also a huge selection of cafes of Chinese and Indian cuisine.

The central and northern part of the island of Penang is covered with jungle, in the north there is a national park and the best beaches of the island. The capital of Penang is George Town, located in the east of the island.

Penang is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The first bridge, 13.5 km long, was opened in 1985 and for a long time remained one of the most long bridges in the world and the longest in Asia. This Penang Bridge has become calling card Penang and is even depicted on the coat of arms of the island. In 2014, a new, 24-kilometer bridge connecting the island and the mainland was opened.

Weather in Penang: seasons and best time to visit the island

The climate in Penang is hot and humid. There are two periods of the rainy season: September - November and May. But now the climate around the world is changing so rapidly that it is simply impossible to guess what the weather will be like in Penang in a certain month. We were in Penang in the middle of September. It rained once every few days. But what a rain! A real tropical downpour!

The high season in Penang starts in December and lasts until the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. As I said, many Chinese live in Penang, so the celebration of all Chinese holidays is held on a grand scale! Well, Chinese tourists like to visit Penang: in Last year Chinese tourists have become significantly more in all cities of Asia, they even got to backpacking on and in! In 2018 Chinese New Year will come on February 16, so until the end of February in Penang it will last high season and hence higher prices.

I do not advise you to visit Penang during the period of national Malaysian holidays and during the holidays at local schools. Who cares, but we didn’t really like watching numerous local families with women in black clothes (we got there just during the school holidays).

Penang how to get there

Penang has an airport, so the plane is one of the most convenient and quick ways get to Penang 🙂

Buy tickets to Penang

All ways to get to Penang here:

Transport in Penang

The island has a well-developed public transport - buses. There is even a free tour bus around Georgetown. You can also rent a car or bike without any problems.

Penang hotels where to live on the island

Before you start choosing hotels in Penang, I advise you to decide on the area of ​​​​residence. If your main goal is sightseeing in Penang or getting thai visa, then I advise you to stay in Georgetown, if a beach-measured vacation, then on the beach of Batu Ferringhi.

Penang hotels are easy to find and book here:

For longer stays, consider renting an apartment through AirBnb.

The beaches of Penang

The beaches of Penang are located on the northern part of the island. The most popular and famous Batu Ferringhi beach . Hotels, shops, numerous restaurants, souvenir shops stretch along the seashore. A little further towards the mountains - multi-storey buildings, where you can rent an apartment or a room.

We arrived at the beach bad weather but you can imagine how beautiful it is when the sun is shining! Stretching along the coast large hotels high level.

But for beach holiday i think this penang beach Not very suitable. I'll explain why:

1. There are a lot of Muslim women wrapped in clothes with their families on the Penang beach: you don’t want to undress in front of them and swim, and especially lie down and sunbathe in swimsuits.
2. There are a lot of boats and jet skis in the sea. Water sports are very popular on Penang Beach: riding a banana, motorcycle or parasailing. I don't like swimming among speeding boats.
3. According to rumors, Batu Ferringhi beach was chosen not only by tourists, but by jellyfish. Therefore, in order to avoid burns, many bathe in clothes.
4. The water in the sea is not the cleanest and most transparent ...

The beach in Penang is good for walking, enjoying the sunset, dining by the sea, but not for swimming.

Video of Batu Ferringhi beach:

Other Penang beaches:

• Teluk Bahang
• Tanjung Bungah
• Monkey Beach in Penang National Park

Georgetown is the capital of Penang

The city of Georgetown was founded in 1786 and named after the English King George. George Town itself is a landmark in Penang and is included in the list world heritage UNESCO. The city has preserved old houses, temples, mosques. To be honest, after reading rave reviews about Georgetown, I was hoping to see a cute town, like, but I was disappointed ... Georgetown didn’t impress me at all: gray, long distances, traffic jams. Still, of course, the heat affected and smog, maybe that’s why I didn’t want to walk around the city at all.

In the center of Georgetown rises the island's tallest building, the Komtar Tower, 235 meters high (65 floors). At the top of the Komtar tower, on the 58th floor, there is an observation deck and a restaurant.

The Komtar tower is a good landmark, it can be seen from any part of the city 🙂 and next to the tower there is a good area to stop for a few days: at the bottom of the Komtar tower is bus station, there are a lot of shops, tourist offices and cafes nearby where you can have a cheap lunch.

Search the streets of Georgetown for street art. We did not search, we saw only such pictures on the walls:

If you have come to the island for just a few days and you are faced with the question of what to see in Penang, what sights of Penang to visit in the first place, then I recommend doing this:

Landmarks of Georgetown

Walk around the city of Georgetown, optionally visiting temples and museums. Choose:

• Fort Cornwallis
• Khu Kongsi House Museum
• Church of St. George
• blue house
• Chinatown Chinatown
• Little India quarter
• Captain Keling's Mosque
• Hindu temple Sri Mariamman
• Chinese Temple of the Goddess of Mercy
• Old Protestant Cemetery
• Chew Jetty - fishing village
• Penang State Museum
• glass museum
• Islamic Museum of Penang
• Cat Cafe 🙂 etc

In addition to walking around Georgetown, I advise you to set aside a day to visit the two main (in my opinion) attractions of Penang: and. These two attractions are close to each other and can be easily visited in one day.

Other attractions in Penang

• Botanical Garden
• tropical fruit farm
• spice garden
• butterfly park
• Bird Park (on the mainland)
• thai buddhist temple
• snake temple
• floating mosque
• national park Penang

As you can see, there are many attractions in Penang, in order to visit them all, you need to live on the island for quite a long time. By the way, in addition to attractions, Penang Island is famous for ... nightlife. Yes, there are many nightclubs here! I would never have thought that in a Muslim country people hang out 🙂

Shops, shopping and food in Penang

shopping

There are several malls in the center of Georgetown. I went to Komtar and nearby Prangin Mall. To be honest, you should not waste time visiting these shopping centers if your goal is shopping: there is nothing good there, half of the shops are closed, and in those that are open things like in our markets, well, like in the chirgizon in Moscow or in the market in next to . In general, some kind of Chinese horror is terrible! The only thing worth going to one of these shopping centers is restaurants and coffee shops. On the ground floor of Prangin Mall there is a Starbucks with standard delicious coffee 🙂

Nearby, in a nearby building on the first floor, we found a Pacific supermarket, where we bought water, fruits, yogurts, cookies and other small things. There is also a good cheap Indian restaurant on the side of the street, on the other side of the building there is KFC, several decent restaurants, bars and karaoke.

Normal shopping centers are located a little further from the center of Georgetown:

• Gurney Plaza - a huge shopping center on the way to Batu Ferringhi beach
• Queensbay Mall - located next to the Penang Bridge

There are several large Tesco stores in Penang. I think that the Tesco store does not need advertising, everyone knows it well in Thailand.

Food

There are no problems with food in Penang. Penang is said to be the gastronomic capital of Malaysia. In addition to Malaysian cuisine, there are many Indian and Chinese restaurants (I looked everywhere for Chinese dumplings, which I liked so much in!).

Food prices are low, it seemed to us that food in a cafe in Penang is cheaper than in Thailand. Freshly squeezed juice is sold everywhere, for only 3-5 ringgits (~$1). The juice is actually freshly squeezed and without any additions of salt and sugar, as they like to do in Thailand 🙂

We ate several times at an Indian restaurant near Komtar. I must say that I don’t like Indian food, or rather, after a trip to India, I don’t like everything Indian 🙂, but they cook well here, I liked it 🙂

The cafe is very simple, a lot of locals dine there. There is no menu, more precisely, some kind of menu with prices hangs on the wall, but what is written is not clear 🙂 Therefore, we just poked a finger at the dishes we liked. Lesha took rice with meat (there is beef and lamb!), and I took cakes with meat gravy. And of course Indian tea with milk. The first time I wanted to take cold green tea, but they brought me hot black tea with milk. But we liked tea so much that later we ordered it everywhere in Malaysia (beer in Malaysia is expensive, we washed down our food with tea 🙂).

We lived near the Komtar tower and in our area all the cafes closed very early, at 8 pm! On the first evening after a late arrival and check-in at the hotel, we found it difficult to find where to have dinner (and it was only 21:30), since there was KFC next to us. Once again, I was glad that we don’t make our eyes round with horror at the word fast food and Coca-Cola, as it is now fashionable 🙂 Otherwise, I would have to starve, and when I’m hungry, I’m very angry 🙂

ATMs and currency exchange in Penang

Before traveling to Malaysia, I read that not all ATMs in Penang accept our cards and that there are very few places in the city where you can withdraw money from the card. Fortunately, near our hotel, in the Prangin Mall, we found a huge branch of Cimb Bank with ATMs. There they filmed Malaysian ringgits.

You can exchange currency at any exchange office, there are a lot of them in Penang, but they close very early. If you arrive in Penang late in the evening, stock up on ringgits in advance!

Below are some prices in Penang (prices are average, tourist prices, whoever found prices lower, well done 🙂)

Penang house prices:

Transport prices in Penang

Prices for Attractions in Penang

• Visiting Fort Cornwallis - 20 ringgit for adults, 10 for children
• Visit to the Blue House Museum-Mansion - 17 ringgit
• Funicular to Mount Penang - 30 ringgit two ways
• Visit to the Owl Museum on Penang Hill - 12 ringgit adult ticket, 6 children
• Visiting the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas in the Kek Lok Si complex - 2 ringgit
• Funicular to the statue of Kwan Yin in the Kek Lok Si complex - RM 3 one way
• Visiting the botanical garden - free of charge
• Tropical Spice Garden - RM26 adult and RM15 child
• Tropical fruit garden - RM40 adults, RM30 children
• Butterfly farm - RM27 adults, RM15 children
• Bird Park - RM38 adults, RM20 children
• Penang National Park - free

Food prices in Penang

• Bottle of water - 1.5 ringgit
• A pack of cookies in the store - 2 ringgit
• Yogurt - 1.9 ringgit
• A glass of freshly squeezed juice - 3 - 5 ringgit
• A cup of cappuccino at Starbucks - 11.5 ringgit
• A portion of rice with fish in a cafe - 8 ringgit
• The cost of a meal in a simple street cafe is 3 - 8 ringgit
• Chinese dumplings - 3 - 4 ringgit per serving (usually 3 pcs)
• Delicious beef in a decent cafe - 20 - 30 ringgit
• Delicious lamb in a decent cafe - 27 - 30 ringgit
• Soups in a decent cafe - 12 ringgit
• The cost of lunch for two in a very cheap Indian restaurant - 10 - 15 ringgit
• The cost of a snack at KFC for two is 17 ringgit
• The cost of dinner for two in a decent cafe - 40 - 70 ringgit

Penang or Langkawi

Very often, tourists, considering one of the islands of Malaysia for recreation, are faced with a choice: what to choose Penang or Langkawi? These two islands are located close to each other and are connected by a sea crossing -. Both Penang and Langkawi have an airport where you can fly from Kuala Lumpur for very little money.

Many years ago, I chose my first Malaysian island 🙂 I studied traveler reports, read reviews about Penang and Langkawi and chose the island of Langkawi. Now, having visited Penang, I realized that I made the right choice then 🙂 Still, Langkawi is more suitable for a vacation.

Penang, on the contrary, is not very suitable for a beach holiday (why - see above in the article). But there are so many attractions on this island!

Langkawi is duty free zone, in a huge Duty Free store you can buy cheap liquor, cookies, chocolate. But with food in a cafe, as far as I remember, in Langkawi it was not very good for me. The only thing I could eat was expensive grilled fish in beach cafes.

Penang is a gastronomic paradise 🙂 There is a huge selection of food for every taste and budget. Penang is also famous for its nightclubs, and in Langkawi, rest is more like a vacation “in the village with my grandmother”.

If you choose an island for a beach holiday, then I advise you to choose Langkawi, but for sightseeing holiday and long stays, Penang Island is perfect. If it is possible to combine these two islands during the holidays, then I would allocate 30% of the time to Penang, and 70% to Langkawi.

Penang: map of useful places and attractions

Marked on the map useful places and some sights of Penang

The Malaysian state of Penang or Penang ("Pinang" - in Malay, "Penang" - in English) is a large industrial, business and tourist centre in northwestern Malaysia. The state is located almost entirely on the island of the same name. Its capital is Georgetown, and most of The half millionth population of Penang lives in this city. Here, the Chinese coexist peacefully - 46%, Malays - 43% and Indians - 10%. The remaining residents make up only 0.4% of the population. Penang combines colonial European and exotic Asian architecture in an amazing way. There are a lot of outstanding tourist spots, museums, temples and mosques, a national park, a port and much more. Besides, local population speaks excellent English (thanks to the British Empire). Attractions in George Town and beyond are found literally at every step, and that is probably why the island of Penang has become so popular resort, despite the dirty sea, which is home to many large jellyfish. Some outstanding Penang sites are even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - not khukhr-muhr!

We came to the island spontaneously, spent only three nights and two full days in Penang in January 2013 ... This is very little, even to see the city of George Town, and we even swung at the whole island with an area of ​​1048 km 2! Our advice is to prepare at least a little for such a trip in advance. This will allow you to understand in advance which places will be interesting to visit for you personally.

So today we will write about what it would be interesting for us to see in Penang ... And you already decide for yourself - what you would like to see! So…

Our version: Top 10 interesting places on the island of Penang

1. Kek Lok Si Temple and other religious buildings in Penang

Kek Lok Si or "Temple of Supreme Bliss" is one of the largest and most majestic Buddhist complexes in Southeast Asia. These structures were built for about 20 years, and it was a very long time ago - at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. In general, although we don’t really hang around the temples, the picture is very pleasant, and the place is very calm and unusual.

By the way, this is not the only cult religious building in Penang. Other prominent temples and mosques are St. George’s Church (temple built in 1816), even older Kapitan Keling Mosque (1801), Snake Temple (which is inhabited by real live snakes!) and Sri Mahamariamman Temple (Hindu temple born in 1833).

2. Penang National Park

This untouched corner rainforest with narrow bridges beautiful beaches, an unusual lighthouse, the inhabitants of the jungle - monkeys, monitor lizards, turtles and other exotic animals. We wrote about him in detail - to visit national park We highly recommend Penang!

3. Mount Penang (Pinang Hill)

821-meter mountain with a wonderful view of the city of Georgetown. In bad weather, however, the view becomes not so beautiful. The oldest funicular in Asia, built in 1923 by Swiss craftsmen, can take you up Mount Penang. The cost of climbing for tourists is constantly increasing, and the trailer itself is still wrecked, so many people advise climbing the mountain by car or even on foot ... But, it seems to me, there is something in this Swiss train with a hundred years of history. It might even be worth its $10+.

By the way, next to the mountain there is (sort of) a free Botanical Garden Penang - if anything, you can look there, everything is beautiful and well-groomed there, but the food is not for sale. Stock up! 😉

If you want to see another cool view of the capital of Penang, then it might be a good idea to climb the tallest building on the island!

4. Komtar - Penang's first skyscraper

Komtar is the symbol of Penang, the tallest building on the island, which can be seen from almost anywhere in George Town. Compared to the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, this is, of course, not such a high-rise, but a symbol is a symbol. Yes, and the view observation deck, according to rumors, opens quite well. We didn't get up - there was no time. But then we climbed the tallest building in Thailand in Bangkok. 😉

5. Batu Ferringhi Beach

This is a famous beach with expensive restaurants and rather banal water rides. Swimming here is not worth it (there is a problem with purification facilities on the island, and jellyfish can be very large), but for some reason the most expensive villas are located in this part of Penang. Possibly due to beautiful sunsets? 🙂

In any case, this place is special. After sunset, the street along Batu Ferringhi comes to life, and thousands of shops appear out of nowhere on it. You can buy everything in the Penang street market except drugs. I'm not kidding, possession, distribution and use of any drug in Malaysia is guaranteed the death penalty!

6. Disco paradise on Chulia Street and neighboring streets

All pencils are different in taste and color, this is what I mean - that someone walks in temples, someone along forest paths, and someone in disco bars. Accidentally settling in on the first night in Penang near Chulia Street we were convinced that there are loud discos. The most modern music, the best DJs, the superstars of world music (most recently, in April 2013, for example, Ludacris, the performers of the hit "Gangnam Style" and Busta Rhymes, came to them), millions of lights, crowds of people, many taxis, cycle rickshaws and, sorry , night butterflies - an essential attribute nightlife central streets Georgetown. In general, if you came to hang out, then you just here. Music here does not stop for a moment from sunset to dawn.

And in the morning this part of the city stands out only for the number of young white people. 🙂

7. Penang Butterfly Farm

For 27 ringit (almost $10), anyone can visit the beautiful Penang Butterfly Park. In addition to fluttering creatures, visitors have the opportunity to admire giant centipedes, spiders, bees, snakes and other marvelous creations of nature. 🙂 It goes without saying that this entertainment is also not for everyone, but the place is very popular with tourists - it will obviously please many!

8. Bird park Seberang Jaya Penang - bird park

The wonderful bird park of Penang, which has been operating since 1988, is home to about 300 species of birds, whose relatives historically live in different corners Southeast Asia. In total, there are more than 2,500 feathered individuals in the park, and all of them live in conditions close to their habitat. The whole park is surrounded by a net, which is quite high, so it seems that nothing restricts the birds.

Eyewitnesses say that the bird park in Kuala Lumpur is many times larger than Seberang Jaya Penang. So you might think that if you have already been to the capital's bird park, then you have nothing to do in Penang. However, in addition to rare birds there are still very beautiful lakes, landscape design, beautiful gardens with orchids and exceptional rare flowers ... In general, if you love not only birds, but also flowers, and beautiful views, and nature in general, then why not look here if time permits.

The bird park is located in the state of Penang, but outside the island itself. But it's very close, getting there is not a problem at all! At the same time, look at the 13.5-kilometer bridge connecting the island of Penang with the mainland. By the way, in November 2013, the opening of the Penang Second Bridge (Penang's second bridge) was announced. Its length will be 24 kilometers!

9. Chinese fishing village Clan Jetties

It's interesting historical place in Georgetown today attracts crowds of cheerful tourists, but in the middle of the 19th century there was no time for fun. It all started with the fact that several poor Chinese families came to the island of Penang in search of a better life. The island was then actively developing, but it lacked cheap labor. Poor laborers from China built houses on stilts, huddled as best they could ... Many began to fish and provide transport services. Their relatives gradually gathered, and over time, as many as 8 piers with stilt houses were built, and the settlement acquired the name Chew Jetty, since “Chew” was the common surname of all Chinese settlers, and “Jetty” is a wharf or dam. The second name of the village is "Clan Jetties" or "wharf of the clan."

Today, 1,500 people live in the village, and this place is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, so the poor Chinese, although they live in cramped conditions, are not offended. Tourists in the village are provided with many services - refreshments traditional dishes, shopping in Chinese shops, boat trips, excursions and even complete immersion in the atmosphere of the clan. For a price comparable to renting a room in a mid-range hotel, today in Clan Jetties you can live in a very compact room of Chinese fishermen and feel like a Chinese, originally from the 19th century. What can the resourceful "Chinese" not come up with! 🙂

10. Georgetown itself

Yes, that's exactly what I mean! The city of Georgetown itself is perhaps the main attraction of the island of Penang!

Perhaps it is too noisy, and some of its buildings are dying, and there is too much selling love on its night streets (especially for a Muslim country) ... But all the minuses of the capital are crossed out by its big pluses. This is its unique history with the British colonial past and the battles of the First World War, a variety of architecture, good advanced system urban transport, unique ethnic composition immersing tourists in Chinese world, a variety of religions that coexist tolerantly on a small piece of land, and much more.

Just walk the streets of Georgetown, listen and see how he lives and try to understand this city - what could be more interesting!

That's pretty much it - I'm attaching some of the best photos we took in Georgetown. Enjoy!

And the last photo from Georgetown...

We wish you a great mood no matter how well you filled your "wall". We all go from somewhere to somewhere, so we need to enjoy life today in the place where we are now!

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