Sunday, June 12, 2011

Penang Malaysia

Penang is one of the wonderful state in Malaysia and home to many great tourist attractions.
The island of Pulau Pinang or Penang in Malaysia is dubbed as the “Pearl of the Orient” and considered as one of Asia’s most famous travel destination to date.
Palm-fringed beaches, charming colonial buildings, mysterious places of worship, and her pulsating street life make Penang an exotic destination.

If you are living or holidaying and love to watch sunset  Batu Ferringhi offers the best in Penang.
Beaches and fishing villages
Most activities are centered around Batu Ferringhi, where most of the popular beach resorts are located. Their facilities include waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, water scooters, and waterskiing. This prime stretch of beach is always a hive of activity with elite nightspots and restaurants which come to life in the evening.


Further down is the equally lovely Teluk Bahang Beach, which is home to kampungs and a fishing village. If privacy is preferred, head for the secluded beaches of Teluk Duyung, Monkey Beach, Pantai Kerachut and Pantai Mas which are accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve from Teluk Bahang.

 
Penang Bridge
Since its opening, the Penang Bridge has become an iconic part of George Town. Like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge, Penang Bridge has contributed significantly to the rapid development of Penang both as a tourist as well as an industrial centre. Every year the Penang Bridge Run takes place on the Penang Bridge itself and along the scenic coastal highway of George Town. This is the only time of the year when the bridge is closed for several hours in the wee hours of the morning. The biggest run in the country incorporates a marathon, a half-marathon and a quarter-marathon.

Nightlife
If you want some fun in the night until 3 am, enjoy Penang nightlife at Georgetown, the island’s capital, has plenty to offer, beside the usual beer fill it up stations. Penang Georgetown Bar's, clubs and discos, lounges and hidden parlors with mainly pretty Chinese girls from Malaysia and mainland China.
 There are plenty of restaurants and open air food stalls some with music where the people can also do a little dance, sometimes very amusing to watch, Penang nightlife has many facet's.
 

Penang is called "Hawker's Paradise" for several reasons. The hawker are strongly supported by Penangites, who mostly find it easier and cheaper to eat out any time of the day or night .The ubiquitous ness of hawkers along the streets of Penang has been a delight for food lovers and a big headache for the municipal authorities for over a hundred years.


 
China Town
China Town on the island stretches from Weld Quay to Lebuh Stewart, lebuh Muntri, Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh King. China Town is so large and well-preserved that you will sense and feel the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant settlers who came here in the 1800s.
Visitors will be intrigued by the many clanhouses, shophouses and temples found along these streets, which reflect the heritage left behind. Stepping into these streets will certainly take you back in time.

 
Penang Hill
Penang Hill is actually made up of a series of hills which rise above the island. The peak stands at 821 metres above sea level, which makes it a cool getaway from the tropical heat below.
The hill is accessible via a funicular train which was first opened for use in 1923. The train operates in two sections and passengers change railcars at midpoint. It takes about half an hour to reach the summit and the train service operates at half hour intervals.
Alternatively, the fit and adventurous can hike up the hill from the many hiking trails available – the most popular trails start at access points close to the Botanic Gardens. The hike itself is about 6.7 km or 4.5 miles long, which will take hikers an average of 2 to 4 hours, depending on level of fitness.

Penang Butterfly Farm, Teluk Bahang
Located at Teluk Bahang, 20km from George Town, the Butterfly Farm covers an area of 0.8 hectare. Visitors can marvel at the hundreds of species of butterflies and local insects in their natural habitat.

 The best time to visit is in the late morning or early afternoon, when the butterflies are most active.









Penang Bird Park, Jalan Todak
A must see for bird lovers is the Penang Bird Park, located at an accessible five-minutes by car from the Penang Bridge. This 2-hectare Park is home to more than 300 species of birds from all over the world, including our local breads and some endangered species too. See huge birds of prey, pelicans, the gigantic cassowaries, emu and ostriches surrounded by their natural habitats.
The Park is also home to non-feathered animals like fishes, reptiles and mouse deer. The park also features beautifully landscaped gardens, relaxing waterfalls, lotus ponds, walk-in aviaries, a souvenir shop and restaurant. 
  
Penang National Park
The Penang National Park along Pantai Acheh may be the country’s smallest National Park but it is Malaysia’s precious little emerald.
With plenty of well-marked jungle trials (for the super fit and fit-at-heart), a pristine beach (Pantai Kerachut) and magical Meromictic Lake (a body of sea water and fresh water that does NOT mix!), it is an eco-paradise second to none.
Remember to plan for nice long walk to Muka Head and make sure you stop by the old lighthouse. Built in 1883 (yes, it’s still operational), the lighthouse is open to visitors. If the walk back later seems too much, just hail a fishing boat – most local boat owners double up as water cabbies here!


Tropical Spice Garden, Jalan Teluk Bahang
Tropical Spice Garden provides an enchanting escape for tired souls' it is a garden of discovery for those who miss out on simple pleasures like walking barefoot on dewy grass or stopping to smell the flowers. If you are in need of stress therapy to invigorate your body and mind, this microcosm of diverse ecosystems is the perfect respite

 
Tanjung City Marina, Pengkalan Weld
The RM44-mil Tanjung City Marina (TCM) in Penang, the first inner city marina in the country, was completed in October 2005 and is fully operational. The new marina is a stepping stone to turn the Penang into an international cruise centre by attracting sailing vessels from all over the world.


Penang State Museum.
Penang State Museum at Farquhar Street, even though very small, is coupled with Penang Art Gallery and regular themed exhibits are refreshed almost every month.




 
Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
The Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest lies 457 metres above sea level and covers an area of 37 hectares. Some locals refer to Bukit Mertajam as Bukit Ubat (or medicinal hill) because of the therapeutic qualities attributed to it – people with minor ailments actually claim of feeling relieved after a hike. One of the more popular parks on the mainland, it is usually packed with people during holidays. Facilites include a swimming pool, camping and picnic spots, jungle treks and comfortable accomodation.



 
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Lebuh Leith
Cheong Fatt Tze (1840-1917), a Hakka from Tai Pu in the Teochew district, migrated to Java in the 1850s where he prospered and moved his base to Penang in the early 1890s. A powerful Nanyang industrialist and a first-class Mandarin in the Manchu government, he was made Consul-General in Singapore and economic advisor to the Empress Dowager.
Cheong Fatt Tze had eight wives and owned many residences throughout his trading empire but made Penang his base, where he raised his six sons.
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion was built over seven years from 1896 to 1904 by teams of master craftsmen from China. This mansion is only one of three of its kind left outside China. The mansion is the only stately Chinese-type dwelling representing the best of 18th and 19th century Chinese architecture in the State.

 
Clock Tower, Pesiaran King Edward
The clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
It towers 60 feet in high – one foot for each year of Her Majesty's reign. The Queen had died by the time the clock tower was finally completed in 1920.







War Museum, Batu Maung
If you want to know what life was like in Penang during wartime, you'll find some of the answers at the Penang War Museum. Housed in what was once a British fort built during World War II, the museum is the only one of its kind in the country







Five Star Hotel & Resort


The Eastern & Oriental Hotel

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is a tranquil haven in the heart of Penang. This is a hotel with old colonial charm and the finest traditions of comfort and service.
Right at its door step is an amazing heritage of art and architecture, festivals and food. The E&O is just a few minutes walk away from a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs. Also, beyond the city, hills, seas and beaches beckon enticingly.
From its foundation by the Sarkies brothers in 1885, the E&O has been patronised by colonial administrators, planters as well as the local and international elite. Among its more famous guests are Noel Coward, Douglas Fairbanks, Hermann Hesse, Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham. Today, it is still the choice for many of the world's most discerning travellers.

Equatorial Hotel

Set majestically 150 metres above sea level, the island's golf and convention resort is strategically located 5 minutes to the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone, 7 minutes to the Penang International Airport and 20 minutes to the city centre.
The award winning hotel houses 2 columnless grand ballrooms, reputed to be the largest on the island that can serve up to 2,000 people. There are also 21 other function rooms and an exhibition level that can easily accommodate 240 booths. Combining the flexibility and space options with the hotel's unique ambiance and convenient location, have made the hotel a top choice for businessmen and conference organisers.
Penang island is famous for its eclectic cuisine and the hotel is no different with its restaurants. Other hotel facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, business centre, scheduled shuttle service completes this 5-star hotel.


The Golden Sands Resort

The Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La offers a deluxe tropical getaway for vacationers and familes on Penang's world-famous Batu Feringgi beach, with award-winning restaurants, two swimming pools, and a kids club.









Hard Rock Hotel

Situated along the scenic, famous beaches of Batu Ferringhi, Hard Rock Hotel Penang offers 249 tricked-out rooms with great views and balconies. Featuring unconventional layouts and the unmistakable Hard Rock vibe, the hotel also comes with extensive facilities including an oversized free-form swimming pool and kiddies’ clubs to keep its young guests occupied.
The iconic resort’s walls are adorned with showbiz icons and memorabilia; together with the hotel’s rock-star treatment of its guests and a rock-and-roll atmosphere, Hard Rock Hotel Penang is the ultimate Rock Retreat suitable for all ages.

PARKROYAL

The PARKROYAL Penang is a fascinating destination in the Pearl of the Orient. Set in Batu Ferringhi, the island's finest stretch of beach, PARKROYAL Penang exudes a unique "East meets West" charm. It is your private hideaway abundant with a kaleidoscope of facilities for the young and old.
Exquisitely designed with breezy, wide open spaces and a lobby that seems to stretch out to sea, the PARKROYAL Penang is a sparkling tropical paradise. Set among verdant landscaping, it is the perfect holiday getaway by the beach.



Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa

Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa offers vacationers an expansive luxury retreat in traditional Malaysian style, nestled along Penang's popular Batu Feringgi Beach. This iconic beach resort offers its guests a luxurious accommodation option replete with an array of amenities whilst situated amidst impressive and majestic scenery.