| Copyright (c) 2009 Nowal Khan | | | | cooked in chicken stock served with roasted or |
| The island of Penang, Malaysia is dubbed as the | | | | steamed chicken. |
| "Pearl of the Orient" and considered as one of | | | | - Fried oysters for seafood lovers! |
| Asia’s most famous travel destination to | | | | - Mee Goreng, an Indian fried noodle. |
| date. This is not quite hard to imagine since | | | | - Mee Suah Tau or vermicelli soup with flaked |
| Penang has grown into a beautiful city with | | | | crab meat. |
| modern architecture and yet still manages to | | | | This is just some of the suggested food fare in |
| preserve its historical value overtime, offering the | | | | Penang since this town is known for its excellent |
| best of worlds in one small area. | | | | cuisine and their food list is virtually endless. |
| Captain Francis Light christened the island Penang | | | | SHOPPING |
| or Pulau Pinang which means the "island of the | | | | Shopping is never a problem in Penang. Kompleks |
| Betelnut". This name is most likely derived from | | | | Tun Abdul Razak is the biggest, most famous |
| the fact that betel nut palms are commonly found | | | | shopping complex in the area. It is the tallest |
| within the island. Penang’s population greatly | | | | building in Penang and placed sixth in Malaysia. |
| reflects its diversity. You can find different races | | | | KOMTAR Tower is by far, the most ambitious |
| in this island coexisting quite peacefully with each | | | | urban renewal project of the city of Penang. |
| other such as the Chinese, Malays, Indians and | | | | Famous retail shops and shopping outlets are |
| others. | | | | found in this one, massive building, a real |
| RELIGION | | | | one-stop-shop for shopping tourists. |
| Religion in this side of world is freely expressed | | | | BEACHES |
| and respected. The official religion in Penang is | | | | Penang beaches stretch from Tanjung Bungah to |
| Islam but you can find temples and other religious | | | | Telok Bahang for miles and miles. The most |
| grounds from different faiths such as Buddhist | | | | popular beach front is the Batu Ferringhi which is |
| and Hindu temples. | | | | quite busy during peak seasons. Other beaches |
| ANNUAL FESTIVALS | | | | that you can find in Penang are: Tanjung Bungah, |
| Penang is a fairly busy island, always bustling with | | | | Muka Head, Pantai Keracut, Pantai Acheh, Monkey |
| annual festivities of different cultures. If you are | | | | Beach and Gertak Sanggul, all of which are |
| visiting the island of Penang, it is not uncommon | | | | beautiful sandy beaches where you can relax and |
| to chance upon at least one festival taking place | | | | have fun under the sun. |
| during your stay. Some of the highlights are | | | | GEORGETOWN HERITAGE SITE |
| Chinese New Year held every late January or | | | | Georgetown is the capital of Penang Island and |
| early February which signifies the beginning of | | | | was declared by UNESCO in 2008 as a world |
| Chinese Lunar year and Christmas Day celebrated | | | | heritage site. Georgetown has extensive list of |
| by Christians every month of December. | | | | sights to see, some of its famous tourist |
| Other occasions held in Penang, Malaysia annually | | | | attractions are Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Leith |
| are: The Birthday of the Goddess of Mercy, | | | | Street, built in 1890. Fort Cornwallis in Light Street |
| Wesak Day or the birthday of Lord Buddha, Hari | | | | was built in 1793 and visit Penang Islamic Museum |
| Raya Puasa which marks the end of Ramadan, | | | | by Armenian Street. The Pinang Peranakan |
| Saint Anne’s Feast, Hari Raya Haji, Festival of | | | | Mansion can be found around Church Street and |
| Nine Emperor Gods, Malaysia’s National Day, | | | | also check out Queen Victoria Clock Tower which |
| and Deepavali in commemoration of the slaying of | | | | commemorates Diamond Jubilee of Queen |
| evil king by Lord Krishna. | | | | Victoria. |
| CUISINE | | | | Penang is also the home of the largest bridge in |
| Penang travel can never be completed without | | | | Malaysia and one of the largest in the world, the |
| sampling its fine delicacy and cuisine greatly | | | | Penang Bridge. Don’t forget to experience |
| influenced by Malays, Chinese and Indians. There is | | | | Penang Hill as well, a favorite spot among tourists |
| definitely no room for picky eaters here since | | | | which can be accessed through railway or by |
| there is always something for everybody and | | | | foot. |
| food is really great, tourists usually come back for | | | | Your visit to Penang will be richly awarded by |
| more. The most famous dish is the Penang Laksa, | | | | different cultures and traditions that one can only |
| a tamarind-based fish soup filled with noodles. | | | | experience in Penang, Malaysia. If you need to get |
| Penang Laksa is a very delicious and filling treat. | | | | away from it all, Penang is the site for you since |
| Tourist can either choose to buy their food from | | | | it offers places to explore on-foot and beautiful |
| "hawkers" of roadside stalls or get them at | | | | beaches to swim on. Cultural heritage permeates |
| regular sit-in restaurants which nicely dotted the | | | | the air of Penang, right from the sight, sound and |
| area. Gurney Drive is the famous food street | | | | smell. Your visit will not allow you to go home |
| where you will find hawker’s stalls lined up | | | | empty-handed considering best shopping outlets |
| and selling best of Penang Food. | | | | for electronics, clothing and other products made |
| Some of Penang’s local favorites are: | | | | from South-East Asia. Cultural diversity is also |
| - Satay or Malaysian style kebab. | | | | reflected with food choices available in this side of |
| - Apom, an Indian paper-thin pancake. | | | | town. Penang truly feeds the mind and soul. With |
| - Apong, Nyonya’s folded pancake. | | | | both modern and historical worth, it is safe to say |
| - Beef ball noodles | | | | that there’s always something for everybody |
| - Char Koay Teow, stir-fried rice noodles. | | | | here in Penang. |
| - Chicken rice, a complete meal of Hainanese rice | | | | |