Pearl of the Orient
15/12/2009 4:03:55 PM
ETCM
The first thing that comes to mind when some one says Penang is Batu Feringghi, a long stretch of beach hosting a multitude of hotels, and resorts for all budgets. But there is more to Penang than just that, situated north of the Malaysian Peninsular and Penang Island is joined to the mainland by the 3 km long Penang Bridge.
Penang Island is home to many heritage buildings, antique shops and is famous for its Penang Char Kuey Teow and Belacan (a must-use condiment in many Malaysian dishes). On the mainland, Penang’s Bayan Lepas is one of Asia’s largest electrical and electronics manufacturing base and is now gazetted as a Free Industrial Zone.
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Malaysia’s culinary capital
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Penang’s history is that of a very successful port. And because it was easily accessible, the Chinese, Indian, Thai, Arab and British came to trade and to stay and they brought with them their culture, religion and food. This melting pot gave Penang a rich heritage, a great
sense of welcome and conviviality that has garnered it the title as the 2nd best place to visit in 2009 by the New York Times.
In Penang, there is never a shortage of food, Asian or Western. Local fare such as the Penang Char Kuey Teow (a fried noodle cooked with cockles, prawns, fish cakes and vegetables), Penang Laksa (rice noodle in spicy sour fish soup), Pasembur (a salad with egg and peanut sauce), Penang Nasi Kandar (an Indian invention where you eat rice and choose from a variety of Indian dishes) to name but a few. Hidden away down small streets and alleyways, are secret eating places that only locals frequent. To venture to these restaurants, you must be friends with a local.
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Batu Feringghi, the beach side address for Penang. If you’ve not stopped by, then you have not been to Penang at all. Lining the entire coastline are resorts, hotels, and serviced apartments that offer all kinds of beach activities during the day and open air flea markets at night. For a more homely feel, homestays are also available from the modern range of terrace houses to heritage homes that have opened their doors to welcome the weary traveller. Batu Feringghi abounds with restaurants watering holes and exciting nightlife. A half hour (or less depending on traffic) drive away is the place for the best hawker fare in Asia.
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Batu Feringghi
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Gurney Drive, open at night, is hawker food heaven. Hundreds of different kinds of stalls are open for you to sample their fare. From the inexpensive to the expensive, from stalls to even fancy bistros and restaurants, they are all found on or along Gurney Drive. During the day, Gurney drive offers you a shopper’s paradise at Gurney Plaza and the old esplanade awaits you for leisurely walks or just hanging out.
Penang nightlife is not only about wining, dining and dancing, although there’s plenty of happening places like that in Georgetown and along Ferringhi Beach. Penang has great night markets open every night along Feringghi beach offering touristy trinkets, t-shirts, local art and craft, paintings, and loads of others.
What makes Penang an even better to visit is the series of festivals and events that dot its yearly calendar: Chinese New Year Open House in January, Thaipusam in February, The International Food Festival in March, Vasakhi Open house in April, Penang Wold Music Festival, Floral Festival, P. Ramlee Festival in May, Penang Dragon Boat Festival in June, Bon Odori and St. Anne’s Festival in July, Wau Competition in August, Mid Autumn Festival, nine Emperor Gods Festival in October, International Dance Competition, Jazz Festival in November, and Starwalk in December.
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Gurney Drive
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Penang Mainland attractions
Not all the excitement is located on Penang Island, on mainland Penang there are many more things to do and see.
Auto City, Prai is a wonderful shopping complex catered to fulfil all your motoring and nourishment needs. It is a one-stop Auto & Food hub with a string of 35 car showrooms, dealerships and distributors for used and new cars, spare parts, accessories, financiers and insurers. Need a place to hold an event, function, a meeting or even to hold your wedding? This is the place with a variety of restaurants available for your catering needs.
Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest in Seberang Perai is 457 metres above sea level and covers 37 hectares of lush greenery. It is a great picnic spot, has treks for hiking, and has a cascading stream safe for dipping. There are also six en-suite chalets and a camping site for those who intend to stay overnight.
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Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
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Mengkuang Dam was officially opened in 1985 and is opened to the public as a recreational area. Among the various activities are jogging along its 1.5 km track, kayaking, picnicking and hiking up the hill.
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Mengkuang Dam
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St. Anne’s Church, a Catholic Church, located in Bukit Mertajam was constructed in 1888 in Malaysian architectural style. Each year in July, St. Anne’s Church holds a feast that draws thousands and thousands of visitors both locally and internationally to its doors for prayer and food.
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St. Anne’s Church
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