Penang is located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Malacca Strait. The island is jam-packed with this to do and see that are both historical and modern. We totally recommend you explore Penang, it’s an idyllic destination with so many sights to see!
If you can visit Penang during the month of April during the last lunar New Year celebration for the Hindu god Hanuman. The event is extremely loud and the party goes on all night. Locals parade the shrine of Hanuman around with priests who place flower wreaths on the shrine while smashing coconuts on the ground everywhere.
If you cannot visit during the festival, there is always beautiful street art, delicious food, turtle beaches, and hiking to the local lighthouses.
Visit Khoo Kongsi
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi or, in short, Khoo Kongsi, is a remarkable Chinese clan house located in the south-west of George Town.
A kongsi (clan house) is a building in which Chinese families of the same surname gather to worship their ancestors. Members of the Khoo clan were rich traders from Xiancheng in the Fujian province who made their fortune in Malacca and Penang during the 17th century.
Leong San Tong, the main building, served as the administrative centre with its offices, and a meeting hall but the Khoo complex also houses an amphitheatre, a museum presenting the history of the clan’s roots, and a courtyard.
Be amazed at Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple stands on a hill at Air Itam with tremendous views and is one of the largest temples complexes in Southeast Asia. Kek Lok Si Temple translates from Hokkien as the Temple of Serene Bliss and is considered by many Buddhists to be an important pilgrimage site.
Kuan Yin Temple, the majestic 7 tier white and gold pagoda is constructed in the shape of the Goddess of Mercy which sits amongst beautiful gardens and temples.
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See Penang’s Reclining Buddha
Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai Temple in Penang famous for its large gold plated Reclining Buddha, and at 33 metres in length, it is considered to be the 14th largest in the world.
The temple dates back to 1845 and is built on land given to the Thai people by Queen Victoria of Great Britain during their rule of the island. The entrance is free but donations are welcome to help maintain the temple
Check out George Town’s street art
As you wander around George Town, you can’t help but notice the humorous and clever murals depicting local life and the history of the area.
The street art of George Town is the work of London-trained Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic. He was hired by Penang’s municipal council in 2012 to make the streets come alive and have now become a major attraction for tourists. Keep your eyes peeled in Penang’s city centre as his work has spread further afield!
Relax on Batu Ferringhi Beach
Head to Batu Ferringhi Beach to take a day to chill under the rays with a long strip of golden sand. It is the second most popular post in Penang after George Town and you can find a wealth of hotels and restaurants along Jalan Batu Ferringhi.
Batu Ferringhi offers all the water activities any beach should such as jet-skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing.
Pasar Malam is the night market at Batu Ferringhi is super popular selling things like CDs, t-shirts, artworks, and food. Remember to haggle to avoid paying the tourist price!
Don’t leave Batu Ferringhi Beach without witnessing the magic of the sunset there, it’s spectacular.
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Take a trip to Penang National Park
Explore Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang) which is high up on most bucket lists. It is located in the northwest corner of the island in Teluk Bahang, northwest of the island, and is home to some of the best beaches in Penang.
Whilst Penang National Park is one of the world’s smallest National Park but the offering of things to do is huge! Go trekking on one of the two main treks in the dense jungle or along the canopy walkway, take a boat trip around the island, go wild camping, observe the wildlife or go fishing.
Visit Penang Turtle Sanctuary
The Penang Turtle Sanctuary is located on Pantai Kerachut (Kerachut Beach) in Penang National Park and was set up to protect the turtle population from predators and poachers.
The preserved species are mainly Green Sea and Olive Ridley Turtles which come onto the beach at night to lay their eggs and are protected by the conservation centre until they hatch up to 60 days later.
HOW TO PLAN THE BEST PENANG TRIP
Plan ahead for your Penang trip
- Find the best hotel deals in Penang on Booking.com
- Get your car/van transfer booked from Penang International Airport
- Download WeSolo Travel App to plan trips with like-minded travellers
Book your tours in Penang
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Vanessa Ball
Vanessa is a digital marketing geek with a big passion for adventures off-the-beaten-track. She is a trekker, content creator, photographer, and an all-round travel junkie. Join her in discovering our beautiful world across 7 continents.
