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Welcome to Penang! Once exotically known as the Island of Pearls (Pulau Mutiara), Penang has developed a reputation for its timeless beauty and alluring personality. The mere mention of its name conjures images of quirky street art, eclectic hawker food, and quaint Peranakan buildings.
While Penang is rich in history and nostalgia, you’ll be glad to know that much of the bustling city is also edible and Instagrammable – both quintessential experiences for the modern traveller. The city’s allure lies in its ability to balance nature, heritage, and modernity, allowing visitors to experience a wide variety of encounters within the same destination.
Let the PARKROYAL Penang Resort team bring you around on a tour of some of Penang’s most interesting places, sights, and sounds.
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Photos by Yaopey Yong on Unsplash
Street art is ubiquitous in this city, and understandably one of Penang’s top tourist attractions. People love to pose with these charming murals, admire them, and “Instagram” their finds. Two must-sees here are “Little Children on a Bicycle” by Ernest Zacharevic, on Armenian Street, and “Brother and Sister on a Swing” by Louis Gan, on Step by Step Lane.
(For more tips on Penang art, read our art lover’s guide to Penang art or refer to this step-by-step walking guide.)
If you fancy a back-to-nature feel, the place to be is Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm. Located in Teluk Bahang, Entopia is home to more than 15,000 free-flying butterflies at any one time. It is also the largest butterfly and dragonfly garden in Malaysia. Attend its nature learning activities to witness the release of newly-emerged butterflies, hear first-hand knowledge from professional insect breeders, and learn about its resident lizards – especially fruitful if you’re travelling with kids.
Another great place to explore is Little India, Penang. This charming enclave is home to more street art, ethnic Indian restaurants, and shops where you can find Indian silk and other unique knick-knacks —perfect for bargain hunting.
Insider Tip: Little India is located near the Armenian Street street art sites, so it’s a good idea to explore both streets in one visit.
Get directions to Armenian Street
Get directions to Little India from Armenian Street
A holiday here wouldn’t be complete without a serving of Penang’s famous chendol. This sweet dessert is made of a mixture of coconut milk and palm sugar, topped with wriggly strands of bright green jelly. To savour yours, head to Chowastra Market and look for a street-side cart parked opposite Joo Hooi coffee shop, with a signboard that says “Penang Famous Teochew Chendul.” The queue here is perpetually long but as the saying goes: good things are worth the wait.
Since you’re near Joo Hooi Coffee Shop, you might as well tuck into some serious Penang hawker fare – the Char Kuay Teow. This flavourful dish of flat rice noodles fried with sinfully rich lard is smokingly good.
But wait, there is more. Penangites love their Assam Laksa. The good folks at Sin Hwa Coffee Shop have mastered it to simmering levels of perfection. This rich, reddish, and seriously addictive dish comes with thick rice noodles in a fish-flavoured broth that is spicy, sour, and savoury at the same time.
If you’re visiting the Georgetown area, you’d be glad to know there are places for you to dine like a king. For a list of recommendations of Penang’s fine dining establishments, read our guide to where to dine like royalty in Penang.
Get directions to Chowrasta Market
Get directions to Joo Hooi Coffee Shop
Get Directions to Sin Hwa Coffee Shop
Photo by Fidelia Zheng on Unsplash
One of the most relaxing things to do in Penang at night is to unwind and dine at Top View, located on the 68th floor of The Top Komtar. Enjoy 360-degree views of Penang while tucking into a Penang international buffet or a 5-course degustation. After dinner, head further skywards to the Rainbow Skywalk and experience what it’s like to be walking on air, 249 metres above ground.
Nothing is quite as relaxing as being in nature, and Penang Hill is the ideal respite. Malaysia’s third UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a nature haven, offering visitors a chance to unwind amidst lush greenery and diverse ecosystems. Hike through Penang Hill's rainforest on a well-maintained trail. At the peak, explore The Habitat Nature Centre and encounter local wildlife. For the daring, walk the Langur Way Canopy Walk, the world's highest stressed ribbon bridge, for panoramic views.
Insider Tip: To avoid the crowds, try to arrive here first thing in the morning, particularly if you wish to take the cable car up to the top. It can get pretty crowded later in the day!
After all the sightseeing, it’s time to reinvigorate both body and mind at St. Gregory. The award-winning spa offers a range of therapeutic treatments such as the Balneotherapy Hydrobaths, which draws on a powerful water massage therapy to enhance the healing properties of herbal and flower extracts to purify the body, or the Malaysian Local Spa Experience, which is a traditional Malay urut (massage) that relaxes the nerves and mind.
Discover more of Penang's hidden gems with our Destination Insights guide on PARKROYAL Penang Resort, packed with exciting attractions and activities.
Plan your dream wedding at PARKROYAL Penang Resort and enjoy a complimentary upgrade.
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
Celebrate the culinary diversity with our mix of local, Asian and International lunch sets!
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
Charm your special someone with a romantic dinner by the beach.
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
Plan your dream wedding at PARKROYAL Penang Resort and enjoy a complimentary upgrade.
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
Celebrate the culinary diversity with our mix of local, Asian and International lunch sets!
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
Charm your special someone with a romantic dinner by the beach.
More DetailsPARKROYAL Penang Resort
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