If you’re heading up north for the George Town Festival, which kicked off on August 1, or just planning a trip to the lovely Pearl of the Orient, here are 5 things we highly recommend you try when you’re there.
1. Indulge in street food
Penang is iconic for it street food, from char kway teow (wok-fried rice noodles) to pasembor. There’s never quite enough room to sample all the food there is to savour in Penang, but you can bet we always try.
2. Go for an adventure in the world’s smallest National Park
One the many things to do at the Taman Negara Pulau Pinang is take part in its turtle conservation programme.One the many things to do at the Taman Negara Pulau Pinang is take part in its turtle conservation programme.2. Go for an adventure in the world’s smallest National Park
Taman Negara Pulau Pinang is one of the lesser-known national parks in Malaysia, but it is no less breathtaking and beautiful.
The Penang National Park is one of the world’s smallest, but is exceptionally well-managed, and offers visitors a glimpse into the natural beauty that the tiny island has to offer.
Some of the highlights include beautiful, pristine beaches, lush jungles in which nature-lovers can enjoy a hike and a turtle conservation centre at Teluk Bahang.
3. Take a walking tour of the Heritage sites
George Town was conferred the Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site on July 7, 2008, a testimony of the city’s centuries-old unique history and heritage.
A visit to Penang is never complete without taking a walking tour through the streets of George Town, where for a small fee, you’ll be led by a trained tour guide through Penang’s history as told by its people, its buildings and its other sites of interest.
4. Ride the ferry
Even though not many locals actually use the ferry service from George Town to Butterworth on the mainland, it is the oldest of its kind in the country since it began running in 1920, making it a unique heritage mode of transport that’s kinda fun to boot.
While a drive on the Penang Bridge is scenic and convenient for car owners, we highly recommend taking a trip on the ferry, just to experience the wind in your hair and the thrill of being on a really large boat!
5. Take a hike up Penang Hill and enjoy the view
Hiking up Penang Hill is one of those island activities that one can never tire off, because of a combination of the clear, crisp air on the peak as well as the interesting local characters you meet whilst on the way up.
You’ll see people of all ages hiking, running and even cycling up the hill on any given day, and we personally recommend a pre-dawn trip to catch the breathtaking sunrise. You can then hike back down and reward yourselves with a feast on local delicacies!
