Top Things to do on holiday in Penang by Robin Tonge
When in Penang make sure you don’t miss these Penang highlights
Komtar Scenic View is situated at level 60 of KOMTAR Tower on Jalan Penang and is the tallest building in Penang. Komtar Scenic View provides a 360 degree spectacular view of Penang. There is a restaurant and souvenir store.
Penang Hill (830m) has excellent views of Georgetown and Penang Bridge, especially at night. The Penang Hill Railway is a funicular cable train service that takes you from Air Hitam to the top of the hill. The air temperature at the top can be at least 5°C cooler than Georgetown below. There are walking tracks up the hill starting from the Moongate (about 300m from the entrance to the Botanical Gardens) and from inside the Botanical Gardens. You can also walk up the paved jeep trail which begins beside the entrance to the Gardens. The summit has excellent views of Georgetown and the Strait. There is a café, restaurant and souvenir shop.
Kek Lok Si (Temple of Supreme Bliss) is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and one of the largest in South-East Asia on a hilltop near the village of Air Hitam around 6km (4miles) from Georgetown. The temple contains three architectural styles: Chinese, Thai and Burmese. During the Chinese New Year period, the temple is decorated with hundreds of lanterns which turns it into a night-time wonderland. There is a 3km road from Kek Lok Si up to the Air Hitam Dam and lake which is popular for walking/jogging in the cooler morning/evening mountain air.
Penang Botanic Gardens (Waterfall Gardens) on Jalan Kebun Bunga were established by Charles Curtis of Britain in 1884. Every morning, many locals go to the gardens for their daily exercises like walking, jogging, jungle trekking, aerobic dance, Tai Chi or Qi Gong. There are groups of monkeys living in the gardens. Be careful as they are known to snatch bags from tourists.
Bukit Jambul Orchid, Hisbiscus & Reptile Garden is located close to the Hotel Equatorial and is about 10 minutes from Penang International Airport. The garden is home to Malaysia’s largest tame snake, a rare Albino Python. Have your photo taken with a snake. There is a Snake Show on weekends and public holidays.
Penang Butterfly Farm has a large collection of butterflies, as well as fish, reptiles, scorpions, and snakes.
Fisheries Department Research Institute Aquarium showcases fish found in local and regional waters.
Penang Museum & Art Gallery is located on Lebuh Farquhar.
Snake Temple (Temple of the Azure Cloud) is located between the airport and the Penang bridge and was built in 1850 in memory of the renowned Chinese monk Chor Soo Kong. Venomous pit vipers inhabit the temple and can be seen coiled around everything. However the snake population is very small these days due to the urbanization of the area. Originally the snakes were believed to be rendered harmless by the smell of burning incense, but today, to be safe, the snakes are devenomed.
Penang Bird Park is a bird park and lush garden located on the mainland at Butterworth (Seberang Perai). There are hundreds of species of tropical birds from all over the world including ostriches, flamingos and parrots housed in walk-through aviaries.
War Museum is located at the southeastern tip of Penang. It is an abandoned military fortress built in the 1930s by the British to protect the southern approaches to the island. The fortress has a network of underground tunnels housing a logistic center, offices, halls, sleeping quarters, kitchens, an infirmary and artillery firing bays.
Fort Cornwallis was originally a wooden structure built by the British, under Captain Francis Light, at the site where they first landed. The fort was rebuilt in the early 1800s using convict labour. The fort is located at the Georgetown Esplanade. Captain Francis Light lies buried in the Penang cemetery down the road.
As you can see there is a lot to do in Penang – one visit will not be enough!
About the Author
Read more about the wonderful city of Penang at Penang Travel
Book your Penang Hotel at HotelWorld
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