Pack Your Bags - To Penang, Malaysia

Pack Your Bags - To Penang, Malaysia

Penang is home to heritage, colonial architecture and a range of arts and festivals, all in the backdrop of a bustling city. I was pleasantly surprised to know that Penang is a gastronomical capital and is famous worldwide for its cuisine. Penang is highly acclaimed for its street food and local cuisine. It seems, in Penang, food is life.

I recently got a chance to attend the Penang Sales Mission to India 2019 at the ITC Grand Central, Mumbai. Penang, situated in Malaysia, is a booming tourist destination. 

Mr. Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer of Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, shared that 2018 witnessed an 11 percent increase in tourists to Penang from India. There were around 40,000 direct arrival tourists from India, excluding those which weren’t recorded due to arrivals in Kuala Lumpur. Of the 80,000 business travelers to Penang, 80 percent were Indians. 

Mr. Gunasekeran also said that India featured in the Top 10 Leisure Inbound tourists and Top 5 Business Inbound tourists list. The top inbound Indian sectors are information technology, engineering, pharma, medical and agriculture.

After visiting the roadshow, I feel an urge to visit Penang. As an upcoming destination, it is not overcrowded with tourists and has preserved its culture and beauty. Penang, a tropical paradise, is a full package. It has beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and even the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town. 

Penang is home to heritage, colonial architecture and a range of arts and festivals, all in the backdrop of a bustling city. I was pleasantly surprised to know that Penang is a gastronomical capital and is famous worldwide for its cuisine. Penang is highly acclaimed for its street food and local cuisine. It seems, in Penang, food is life.

Its coffee shops, hip cafes, mom and pop restaurants, and fine dining establishments have traditional cuisine living in them. You won’t be disappointed by the variety of the cuisine. 

There is Nyonya Cuisine, Kopitiam Breakfast, Nasi Kandar, Malay Cuisine, Indian Cuisine and much more.

Why Penang could be your next travel destination?

Penang delivers authentic Asian cultural and heritage experience as well as modern comfort.
It offers a variety of hotels and resorts to choose from for a comfortable stay. Along with a range of hotels, the city also offers many unique venue options for your next event or special occasion. Be it Chinese Clan House, Peranakan Mansion, Botanical Garden, Nature Center, Beach Resort, Hotel Ballroom or Convection Center, the city has it all to make your event perfect.

Penang is home to the living museum – George Town. The UNESCO heritage town bursts with heritage and culture. This historic city center has people from various cultures living in harmony. 

Penang is directly accessible from 25 major local and regional airports and over 100 local and international destinations via Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The city is modern and has Wifi facilities almost everywhere. Getting around Penang is convenient with easy and cheap public transportation. Major credits are accepted in most of the restaurants, tourist attractions, and retail stores.

Penang’s itinerary can go up to six days and still you are unlikely to have enough of the place. Get ready to also fall in love with the city's handicrafts and street art culture. Places to check out are:

ñ  Armenian street - popular for its murals and other street arts. 

ñ  Find India in George Town’s Little India and see Penang’s spice trade legacy. 

ñ  Witness traditional Songkok maker, Chinese tradesmen, and get hands-on experience making Nyonya beaded shoes.

ñ  You can also see Chinese signboards and crafting paper oblations of Chinese deities all in the city of Penang.

Some untouched cultures & traditions of Penang include The Penang Batik Factory, Clan Jetties dating back a century, Penang Trishaw and the Penang Ferry Service. 

In terms of the city's rich preserved heritage, there are several architectural gems that unravel the secrets of ancient Penang - like Kek Lok Si Temple, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Koo Kongsi, Pinang Peranankan Mansion, Tow Boo Kong Temple, Shri Mahamariamman Temple, and Masjid Kapitan Keling. 

The luxurious colonial architecture lets you soak in the treasures of old Penang, like Fort Cornwallis, St. George’s Church and St Annes Church. 

Want to add some adrenaline rush in your trip? Then there are several urban adventures like Escape, Tech Dome and The Gravityz waiting for you. 

Penang’s things-to-do list is endless. From heritage to urban adventures, from preserved cultures to modernity, from city life to lush natures, and the insatiable gastronomy, Penang has definitelymade its way to my bucket list. Has it to yours? So, when is your trip to Penang?