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 Traveller's Tales: Things to do in Penang, Malaysia
Learn about leisure and recreation in Penang, Malaysia. You may read about their travel activities and adventures. Find out their travel tips and guides and discover fun things to do in Penang, Malaysia.Also, you might want to read our
Kuala Lumpur city guide,
Langkawi city guide,
Melaka city guide,
and Penang city guide.
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| A Gyure |
19 August 2005 |
Stayed at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion - Penang, Malaysia.
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I only had 4 days to spend in Malaysia and had to pick only one destination to visit, and I was advised by trusted friends in Singapore to make it Penang. The city is known for its intriguing variety of Malaysian food. I am in the hotel/catering business, so this was a big attraction for me. My advice is to forgo the sit-down restaurants and take every meal at the local kopitiams (coffee shops) or food hawker markets. Don't worry, the food is fresh and safe to eat at these establishments and you get to rub elbows with the locals at the same time. Besides all that, prices are dirt cheap. Be sure to try some of the local signature dishes: assam laksa, char kway teow, rojak to name a few.
Do visit the merry old white colonial E&O hotel and have a frosty, tall ale in their Farquhar's Bar while looking out at the sea or an iced coffee and scone in their charming European bakery cafe.
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| J Kent |
10 August 2005 |
Stayed at Eastern and Oriental Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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We spent a month in Malaysia. 12 days on the East Coast and the remainder spread between Ferringi Beach, Penang, Langkawi and then the 5 nights in Georgetown. We just loved Georgetown and will definitely return. People friendly, shopping great (I enjoyed it better than KL), food FABULOUS, and the lovely old buildings some restored, lent to a great Asian atmosphere. The Colonial atmosphere, plus the Chinese, Malay and Indian architecture made it all so enjoyable. We will definitely return to Georgetown.
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| T Shepherd |
15 November 2004 |
Stayed at Eastern and Oriental Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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The weekend we were in Penang was phenomenal, with Deepavali (Indian New Year), Hari Raya, and other end of Ramadan festivities; sure, it meant we didn't know what would be open when, but the carnival atmosphere more than compensated.
One of our best expeditions was to the Tropical Spice Gardens, about 3 kms out of Batu Ferringhi. The gardens have only been open for a year or so, but feel like a pristine rainforest (apart from the giant swing!). You can do a spice walk, a jungle walk, or a flower walk - they're all quite easy. The gardens are gorgeous; ancient cycads, incredible plants and lots of spice plants. It's cool and quiet, and as major foodies, it was a not-to-be-missed excursion. The cafe has spectacular views over the bay, and great food.
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| L Wong |
29 August 2004 |
Stayed at Paradise Sandy Bay Resort - Penang, Malaysia.
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Being a Malaysian family, we drove to Penang from Kuala Lumpur. Transport within the island was therefore not an issue. We loved the local food there, especially the "Assam Laksa". Highly recommend that of the Burmese lady who sells hers in a coffee shop across the road from the Pulau Tikus police station in Burma Road (not too far from the Siamese Wat & Burmese temple).
Don't bother to swim in the sea around Penang. It's too polluted, not to mention the Jelly fish. The east coast is better for that.
We went to look at the restored Cheong Fatt Sze mansion in Leith St in Georgetown. It was built without nails, but that was not its main claim to fame. Tours are at 11am and 3pm daily at RM10 per person. Was suitably impressed.
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| J Koordes and mr. pim ten hoorn |
26 July 2004 |
Stayed at Eastern and Oriental Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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The Penang Heritage Trust organises walkabouts in George Town. These are very interesting and we can recommend to join them!
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| K Hom |
19 July 2004 |
Stayed at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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Penang is such a beautiful island, it's a cross between Bangkok (a little dirty) but not as smoggy with car pollution and Florida. It's really a sweet place. I went two weekends in a row...I went to the Butterfly Farm which I thought was really great as you can pick up the butterflies and but them on your hand carefully. Definitely check out the Kek Lol Sei Temple...it's so beautiful. You must take a taxi there, but the taxis in Penang do not run by meter, you MUST ask for the price beforehand.
Getting back from the temple is somewhat difficult though. You must go through a cave of street vendors as you proceed down the mountain. At the bottom of the mountain, there is a bus stop...there are NO taxis! So, make sure you know where the bus stop is...everyone speaks English or Cantonese. The Malays are proficient conversational speakers, which is great for us English speakers.
My favorite pub/bar is LEVEL ONE which is in Chinatown, upstairs of Oriental Hotel. Downstairs, there is a japanese karaoke bar, which is cheap by U.S. standards. Also, there's a fun music, but no dancing place called "Commons". Of course, when in Southeast Asia, you must try the food hawk stalls. It's like the mall, you go up to the vendor, tell them your table number, order, and they bring your food to you and you pay them as you are served. I'm definitely going back...heard the Northam Hotel is a great, great hotel to stay at for only 18USD PER NIGHT. I'm going to try that hotel my next trip. Have fun!
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| P Chong |
21 June 2004 |
Stayed at Grand Plaza Parkroyal, Penang - Penang, Malaysia.
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We loved Penang! It was my second time there after 22 years and I wish I were back there now! The tiny streets of old Georgetown, the huge mansions, the great food all added up to a really nice holiday. We stayed two nights at Batu Ferringhi to enjoy the beach resort and two nights in Georgetown. I think having a car is essential. The many one-way streets can be confusing so a good map is essential. We particularly enjoyed touring Cheong Fatt Tze mansion and the Khoo Kongsi. Penang is a great place for wandering around, punctuated by great food breaks!
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| J Dinsmore |
09 April 2004 |
Stayed at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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We took an express bus from the Puduraya bus station in KL directly to Penang where they let you off at the KOMTAR shopping center. We found KOMTAR somewhat confusing but it is the transportation hub, has a tourist office, shopping and supermarket. The express bus ticket offices are right there too (outside)so it was easy to get return tickets. We took the guided tour of the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion (11AM and 3 PM-10 RM per person) and enjoyed that. You can also stay there since it's a hotel. We walked around the Chinatown area and Little India. We also took a bus to Air Itam to see the Kek Lok Tse temple which was quite a large complex. The tourist office guy had told us that the funicular railway to Mt. Penang was out of service. The cable had broken so they purchased a new one complete with Swiss engineers to install it and it broke too. One evening we took a bus to Batu Ferringgi which is the full-tilt beach resort area. We ate in a hawker center and looked at the night bazaar stalls but decided it wasn't quite our thing. Everything was oriented to the foreign tourist which some people like.
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| A Soltani |
29 March 2004 |
Stayed at Ferringhi Beach Hotel, Penang - Penang, Malaysia.
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The water is not clear in this area, you cannot do any under water activity. If you are looking for good beaches you have to drive 2 more hours to the north (after leaving the island) or taking a boat from its port. If you wanna just relax the area is beautiful and the beaches are quiet and you will find many all around. There is big market with cheap merchandise and many restaurants in the area with good sea food but their price is quite high for the country because of many tourists visiting the island. Consider renting a car if you go there. At the end north-west of the island there is a good national park for hiking. Another option is to rent a boat for fishing and going to the Monkey island (30 minutes). Water activities are plenty available in the area.
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| C Lloyd |
26 March 2004 |
Stayed at Oriental Hotel Penang - Penang, Malaysia.
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Georgetown (Penang) was a fascinating place to visit - food was great from street vendors through to restaurants. Walked most places - pavements uneven and sometimes difficult to manage. A visit to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion a must - it is a hosted Homestay - but also open for tours.
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