PENANG

Penang gets its name from the Malay word pinang, the areca plant, which grew on the island in abundance. The nut of the tree, commonly called betel, was chewed habitually throughout the East.Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. It is composed of two parts – Penang Island, where the seat of government is, and Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley in English) on the Malay Peninsula. Highly urbanised and industrialised Penang is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country, as well as a thriving tourist destination.[4][5][6] Penang has the third-highest Human Development Index in Malaysia, after the state of Selangor and the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur. Its heterogeneous population is highly diverse in ethnicity, culture, language, and religion. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.

Map of Penang in Malaysia

Penang's Flag

Penang's Coat

PENANG INTESRTING TRAVEL :

1.Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si Temple (simplified Chinese: 极乐寺; traditional Chinese: 極樂寺; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ki̍k-lo̍k-sī; Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss" or "Temple of Sukhavati") is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang and is one of the best known temples on the island. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia[citation needed]. The temple is heavily commercialised ith shops at every level and inside the main temple complexes.

Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole, both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of worshippers.

2.Penang War Museum

It was at Bukit Batu Maung, on the southern part of Pulau Pinang that the battle against the invading Japanese army was lost. In the 1930, a formidable fortress was built by the British army atop Bukit Maung, to protect the island against the enemy. Manned by not only British soldiers, but also Malay and Sikh soldiers, Bukit Maung fell during an attack in which the Japanese army approached from inland, rather than from sea, as was expected by the British army.
From that day onwards, the fortress at Bukit Maung transformed into a Japanese army base with a dark history, filled with narrations of how prisoners were tortured for information to help forward the advancement of the Japanese army into Malaya. As a result, Bukit Maung, in the years following the fall of the Japanese army in 1945, the locals in the area kept well away of Bukit Maung for fear of its reputation as a place of hauntings by ghosts of dead soldiers.

The fortress was constructed over 20 acres of land, complete with underground military tunnels and ventilation shafts, ammunition bunkers, logistic centre, canon firing bays, sleeping quarters, cook houses and medical infirmary. After several years of restoration and clearing the fortress area that was covered by shrubs and growths after so many years of abandonment, the fortress was turned into the War Museum by a local Penangite, Johari Shafie three decades later.

Today, a slow walk through the fortress will fire the imagination on what once was. From the canon firing bay the Straits of Melaka is clearly visible. Although the original canons are no longer on site, it is not difficult to imagine how British, Malay and Sikh soldiers once took turn manning the canon bays day and night, guarding against enemy attach from sea. A simple, but no less remarkable section of underground tunnels – one even leads all the way to the sea, acting as an access tunnel to get to submarines – forces one to walk, or even crawl through very narrow, confined places.

3.Khoo Kongsi

Khoo Kongsi is a grand temple that shines brightly along Lebuh Cannon. It was built to serve as a clan-house for ember of the Khoo family. The walls, pillars and roof are richly decorated with intricate carvings bearing the marks ofmaster craftsmen from China and the beams are made from wood of the finest quality. the temple was rebuilt in 1920 after it was gutted by fire. Some belive the fire was brought about because of the resemlace to the Emperor's Palace in China. During the seventh lunar month, the temple comes alive with Chinese opera performances.

4.Snake Temple

Built in 1805 in the memory of the renowned Chinese monk Chor Soo Kong, the Snake Temple is situated in the small town of Bayan Lepas and is famous for the fact that it has pit vipers living on the temple ground. Legend has it, that Chor Soo Kong, who was also a healer, gave shelter to the snakes of jungle. After the completion of the temple, snakes appeared on their own accord. Today the snake population of the Temple of the Azure Cloud is very small, due to the urbanization of the area, but you can still see them coiled up on the altar tables, and touch them if you are brave enough. Originally the snakes were said to be rendered inoffensive by the smell of the incenses, but just for good measure, today the resident vipers are devenomed.

5.Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis - named after the Governor-General in Bengal, Charles Cornwallis – is one of the most interesting historical landmarks in George Town, located close to the Esplanade, next to the Victoria Memorial Clock.

The fort's walls, roughly 10 feet high, are laid out in star-like formation. A stroll along the perimeters takes roughly 10 minutes. Inside the fort, one can still see some of the original structures built over a century ago, including a chapel, prison cells, which were once used as barracks, a munitions storage area, a harbour light once used to signal incoming ships, the original flagstaff and several old bronze canons, one of which is a Dutch canon called the Seri Rambai, dated 1603. An interesting note about the Seri Rambai - some locals believe that this particular canon can have a positive effect on a woman's fertility.

  Today, this privately managed historical site is popular among visitors, equipped with a tourist information kiosk, cafe, an open-air amphitheatre, a history gallery, a souvenir centre as well as guides who can take you around the fort grounds and provide you with a glimpse of the fort's history.

6.Tropical Fruit Farm

Tropical Fruit Farm is situated about 800ft above sea level on the hilly terrain of Teluk Bahang in Penang is an ideal location for cultivating many types of tropical and sub-tropical fruit trees. The orchard covers 25 acres and it was developed back in 1993 with a few objectives in mind. First of all, to conserve the rare and exotic fruit trees. Secondly, to educate and promote to the locals as well as foreigners of the gift that our land is blessed with. Lastly, to play a positive role towards agriculture and eco / agro tourism amid the intensive development in our state’s rural areas.

Over the years, the orchard has acquired many rare and exotic fruit trees from the region as well as from far-flung corners of the globe such as Central and South America, Central Africa, India, the Middle East, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands etc. Today the orchard boasts of a collection of over 250 different species and the list is still growing.

The farm endeavours to use only organic fertilisers. Some of which are processed in the farm using fruit waste collected from around the farm. Chemicals are only used when absolutely necessary. In the farm, our aim is to work towards a cleaner environment for the future.

Apart from viewing the fruits of course there would be sampling of the variety of flavours that is unique to each individual fruit. The orchard also prepares light snacks, juices and a hefty BBQ buffet spread on the weekends and public holidays.

7.Penang Butterfly Farm

The Penang Butterfly Farm is more than just a tourist attraction. It is set up as a 'live museum' to educate the public as well as a research centre to develop breeding methods. The Farm's founder David Goh explains the philosophy behind its operation

Butterflies are beautiful creatures of the wild. The visitor to the Penang Butterfly Farm, finding himself surrounded by a myriad of fluttering butterflies within a seemingly natural setting, is likely to think himself in a sort of enchanted wilderness, bejeweled with the colorful gems of creation.

The main attraction of the Butterfly Farm is undoubtedly the free flying papilions in the enormous enclosure. The visitor can inspect the butterflies at close quarters as they flit around their favorite nectar plants. The exhibition of selected insects and reptiles are also crowd drawers. The visitor, having traversed this complex of displays ends up in a souvenir shop selling butterfly-related paraphernalia.

Today, the Penang Butterfly Farm is the first tropical butterfly farm ever set up in the tropical world, with an average flying population of 4000 Malaysian butterflies of 120 different species, including the rare Indian Leafl (Kallima paralekta) and the endangered Yellow Bird wing (Troides helena). Probably the most famous of Malaysian butterflies is the Rajah Brooke's Bird wing of the Papilionidae family. First discovered in Borneo in 1855 by A. R. Wallace, it was named after the first British Rajah of Sarawak.

Malay Peninsular has over 1000 recorded butterfly species, among the highest of any country in the world in relation to her small land mass. David Goh, the founder of the Penang Butterfly Farm was inspired and encouraged by Mr. Clive Farrell, owner of the Stratford Butterfly Farm at Stratford-on-Avon (birth-place of William Shakespeare) in England, to start a tropical butterfly farm in Malaysia.

Penang Food :

1.Air Hitam Asam Laksa

This is still the best tasting Asam Laksa in Penang. The soup is thick, flavourful and spicy, with a good texture from the shredded fish. I love how the pungent-sweet shrimp paste adds “oomph” to the asam laksa. The best way to have it is with less noodles, extra vegetables. My regular order is two bowls and that will make me sweat buckets.

Air Itam Market Pasar Road
(Beside the Air Itam Market)
11500 Air Itam Penang.

Balik Pulau Penang Laksa Lemak

2.Hameed Pata Mee Goreng

The noodles are cooked with red sauce and spicy sotong. The sotong is tasty from the savoury-sweet gravy and if you can’t take spicy, it’s best to have a cold drink on standby.

Hameed Pata Mee Goreng
Padang Kota Lama Food Court
(next to Fort Cornwallis)
Jalan Padang Kota Lama
10200, Georgetown

Penang

3.Penang Road Teochew Cendol

The pandan jelly noodles are firm and the coconut milk used is fresh and aromatic. The palm sugar used has thick texture and a smoky aroma, giving the cendol a fuller flavour.

Lebuh Keng Kwee

Off Penang Road

Penang

4.Penang Char Kuay Teow

A special plate comes with 4-5 large prawns and a few pieces of mantis prawns. The kuay teow boasts a good dose of wok hei, and the duck egg and mantis prawn impart a rich, creamy flavour to the noodles.

Ah Leng Char Kuay Teow (night)
Lorong Zoo 6,
11500 Air Itam,
Penang.

5.Oh Cien  and Pei Pa Duck

Oh Cien

The egg batter is cooked withlarge oysters and chopped spring onions, and boasts a crisp exterior and soft centre.

The duck is deep fried before being served, so the skin is extra crispy. Eat it with the accompanying sauce – savoury and sweet with a hint of peanut, shallots and garlic.

Kedai Kopi Bee San
584, Jalan Air Itam,
11500 Penang
6pm-12pm