The island of Penang in Malaysia is presently among the tourists’ favorite travel destinations in Asia. The world has come to accept this fact since Penang has been developed into an adorable city with modern structures however still able to retain its historical worth through the years showing the best of worlds for such small area.
The Pulau Pinang, fondly called Penang Island actually means the “island of Betel nut” and christened by Captain Francis Light. The name was given due to the usual betel nut that scatter all over the island. Penang’s community shows its diversity where you will be able various of community in this island that exists together gracefully such as Indians, Malays, Chinese, and many others.
Religion
In this side of the world, religion is freely respected and expressed. Though Islam is the official religion in Malaysia, in Penang you can find here other religious grounds and temples from various faiths like Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Annual Festivals
You will find Penang as a very busy island full of annual festivals of various cultures. Some of the festivals that you will experience is the Chinese New Year celebrated every late of January or February which indicates the start of the Lunar Chinese Year and on December when Christmas Day is being celebrated.
Some of the colorful festival held in Penang yearly are: Deepavali in remembrance of the slaying of evil king by Lord Krishna, National Day of Malaysia, Festival of Nine Emperor Gods, Hari Raya Haji, Saint Anne’s Feast, Hari Raya Puasa, the birthday of Lord Buddha or Wesak day, and the birthday of the Goddess of Mercy.
Cuisine
The Malays, Indians, and Chinese highly influenced the finest cuisine and delicacy in Penang. Your trip should not miss these tasty food even if you are a picky eater you will always find something that suits your taste. The food here is simply delicious visitors are wanting for more. Penang Laksa is the most popular dish which is a fish noodles soup in tamarind taste. You can find the best of Penang food at the well-known food steert – The Gurney Drive, a place where you will see plenty of stalls of food hawkers.
Some of the mouthwatering food you can indulge here are the vermicelli soup or Mee Suah Tau soup with crab meat, the Indian fried noodle Mee Goreng, fried oysters, beef ball noodles, Nyonya folded pancake Apong, Indian thin pancake Apom, and Malaysian style kebab Satay.
The list of these scrumptious cuisine seem unlimited.
Shopping
Tun Abdul Razak Complex is the largest most popular shopping complex in Penang island. It is also the 6th tallest building in Malaysia. On the other hand, Komtar boasts of its shopping outlets and retails shops homed in this one huge building that makes it a one-stop shopping location for tourists.
Beaches
Penang beaches are several miles wide from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang. The Batu Ferringhi is the most well-known beach which become loaded with visitors during peak seasons. Other beautiful beaches in Penang where you can have fun and relax are the Gertak Sanggul, Monkey Beach, Pantai Acheh, Pantai Keracut, Muka Head, and Tanjung Bungah.
Georgetown Heritage Site
Georgetown is the Penang island capital announced by UNESCO as world heritage site in 2008. You can find many popular tourist attractions here like the Queen Victoria Clock Tower, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Pinang Islamic Museum, Fort Cornwallis in Light Street, and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Leith Street.
The Penang Bridge is the largest and longest bridge in Malaysia where you can enjoy beautiful view while passing this bridge. Penang Hill, one of the tourist favorite spots can be accessed by cable by foot or railway alternatively .
You will experience in Penang its rich diversified traditions and cultures which is unique in the entire world. If you want to relieve yourself form the humdrum of everyday life, Penang is the best place where you can find the best places and beaches to relax on.
It is guaranteed that you would not go home without bringing anything from Malaysia. Penang is studded with the best shopping outlets for clothing, electronics and other items marketed from Southeast Asia. Penang, Malaysia will surely fill you mentally and physically.
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