- Thai Visa Destinations
To see details of 53 hotels and guesthouses in Georgetown, the capital of Penang Island, Malaysia, including PHOTOS OF THE ROOMS AND HOTEL BUILDINGS as well as a map of Georgetown, visit this page.To see details of getting your Thai visa from Malaysia, visit this page.To see a Penang map, click HERE
Malaysia - Penang Island: A Guide
 | | The 7km long Penang Bridge that connects Penang island to mainland Malaysia |
Georgetown, the 'capital' of Penang Island, was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Town in 2008 - I wasn't surprised! There's something special about Penang, and particularly Georgetown, that makes the island a favorite place to visit in South East Asia for many, myself included. The mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Western people for centuries means that anywhere you turn, you're sure to come across a Buddhist or Hindu temple, or a mosque or church, many of them a hundred or more years old. There are also many old historical buildings.
Georgetown has also yet to succumb totally to 'big business' - there are numerous different trade shops scattered around the often quiet streets, usually housed in quaint old buildings. Joss stick makers, signboard engravers, wooden and bamboo blind makers, rattan weavers and countless other trades make a stroll around Georgetown's streets intriguing as to what you'll come across next! I've heard some say this is what Singapore was like back in the 1950's, before small traders slowly disappeared.
 | | View of Georgetown from Air Itam Dam |
It's not just this though - Georgetown has the best food I've come across in my travels - particularly Indian and Chinese - and it's cheap! 2 US Dollars (RM7) usually suffices. See the restaurant list on this page for some of my favorite places to eat.
 | | Buddhist custom of burning paper, very common in Penang - see the results in pic 1 & 2 |
You're also on a beautiful tropical island! There are quite a few quiet beaches on the north and west coasts of the island. I highly recommend a visit to Penang National Park, in the north-west of the island. There are long trails through jungle to 2 beaches, Turtle Beach, which I visited and Monkey Beach, which I didn't have time to get to. For 5 Ringgit (US$1.5), you can venture up into the treetops on a canopy walk.
 | | Fishing boats near to Batu Feringgi, on the north coast |
The island is also fairly mountainous - the highest point, at 830 meters, is Penang Hill - head up by cable car or hike up from the fabulous Botanical Gardens for spectacular views of the island.
 | | Monkeys inside the peaceful Botanical Gardens. |
 | | Typically quiet and laid-back street scene in Georgetown |
Interesting Cycle Rides / Walks / Motorbike Journeys
Coming shortly
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