4 Awesome Reasons Why You Should Book A Penang Trip

Travelers often try to look for places people wouldn’t normally go to on a trip. A place like Liechtenstein, Tonga, East Timor or Bhutan. Some people even had to Google search “uncommon places to travel to” for them to know that these places do exist. However, a lot of globetrotters don’t realise that while making a trip out of that uncommon places list is certainly thrilling, there are still much of the common cities we travel to that have not been as explored as the rest of its home country. And in this article, we are going to talk about Penang.

Penang has been dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and true enough,walking around the island feels like living in the past. Of course, the only thing that seems to penetrate this historic vibe and bubble are the many contemporary shops, sites, and Penang accommodation that are meshing well with Penang’s traditional personality. It would be unwise to neglect the island’s natural surroundings like their palm-fringed beaches, quaint fishing villages, and thickly forested mountains.

If that doesn’t entice you enough to visit the island, here are a couple of things you can look forward to on your visit.

Art walk along Georgetown

Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian artist, started painting murals around Georgetown in 2012 for one of the city’s festivals. Since then, it has become widely popular among locals in Malaysia and tourists. Each mural depicts the everyday life of a Penangite, and are painted on the walls of old buildings along Georgetown.

Visit the smallest national park

At only 2300 hectares, the Teluk Bahang is the world’s smallest national park. However, don’t let that title fool you, it’s actually a really good place to trek. In fact, it’s a favourite among couples; when they can go up the terrain and have romantic walk to get to the exotic turtle sanctuary, monkey beach, even pools!

If there’s one thing you need to remember on your Penang trip, it’s that the island is a complete food haven At every turn there are restaurants, hole-in-the-wall spots, cafes, and hawkers just ready to be visited. You can taste local dishes like Assam Laksa, Prawn Mee, Char Kway Teow, and more. That is going to leave you food comatosed in your hotel at Penang.

Get yourselves on the beach

The city might be too busy for your tastes; not to worry, though, because you can always escape to Batu Ferringhi beach. As far as beaches go, Batu Ferringhi is a paradise. Imagine a white-sand beach, fringed with palm trees, and a view of the turquoise waters of the sea. You can choose to go for a leisurely stroll, a fun swim, or be daring with water activities.

There are still a hundred more reasons for you to come visit Penang. But you know what? It’s better experienced than read. So go on and pack those bags, you’re going to have one helluva time!

Amazing Shopping Sites in Penang

George Town is known for its rich history, the local delicacies served in countless hawker stalls, and amazing hotels in Penang, Malaysia that offer unique accommodations bound in culture and tradition. Penang has so much to offer that it really isn’t surprising to know that it is one of the biggest shopping destinations in Malaysia.

Shopaholics everywhere can find shopping centres, stalls, and street markets that offer bargains they wouldn’t be able to resist. So here we list down some of the best places you can visit to get the best deals in your purchases.

1st Avenue Mall
Located at the George Town city centre, 1st Avenue Mall is one of the stylish malls in Penang. It offers all kinds of fashion, entertainment, leisure, and dining outlets available for travellers looking for the perfect place to have a good time. When you go to 1st Avenue Mall, be sure to visit the 8th floor where you can be treated to a panoramic view of the city of George Town.

Little Penang Street Market
Little Penang Street Market is the first street market to offer unique Penang only items, delicacies, and more. It happens at the Upper Penang Road every last Sunday of the month, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Not only are shoppers offered local products, but they are also entertained with live performances and even book readings.

Prangin Mall
Considered to be the largest and the most popular shopping mall situated right at the heart of George Town. It is the preferred shopping destination of a lot of locals and tourists not just because of its size, but also because it is known to be the “bargain hunter’s paradise”. It offers a lot of retails outlets and dining options, it even has a cinema so that kids can enjoy their day while their parents are shopping.

Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Batu Ferringhi Night Market is the perfect place for shoppers who are looking to buy products of many different varieties. The market has about 100 stalls available, stretching up to a kilometre in Batu Ferringhi. Get ready to haggle as the night market sells everything from clothes, artworks, and food.

If you are planning to spend the whole day on your feet shopping to your heart’s content, you will need a Penang hotel where you can end a tiring day with your feet up on a comfortable mattress, relaxing and unwinding. The Royale Bintang Penang offers rooms that boast high quality amenities to make sure your stay will be serene and soothing.

So get those purses ready and travel to Penang. Have a happy bargain hunt!

4 Best Hawker Centres in Penang

Penang, Malaysia is known for the preserved history and culture you can see and experience in every step in the city. But more than its Old-World glamour, the place is also known for its unique Penang accommodation, must-visit spots, and more importantly, popular food destinations.

Oh, Penang has some of the best food finds in Malaysia, and it’s all thanks to the hawker centres that you can find everywhere in the city. Here we list down some of the go-to hawker centres you can visit on your Penang holiday trip.

Lorong Baru (New Lane) Hawker Centre
Everyday, at 4:00 in the afternoon, the streets of Lorong Baru in George Town is closed off for pushcarts and stalls and becomes an outdoor hawker food centre. You will be sitting on colourful plastic chairs and tables by the road, and eat some of the best delicacies that can only be found here. A popular dish is the char kway teow which is a flat rice noodle with prawns and chili, and the chee cheong fun which are rice noodle rolls.

Long Beach Food Court
Long Beach Food Court is probably the most popular food place in Penang. It offers a variety of local and international dishes that will surely leave you wanting for more. You will find local delicacies such as satay, char kway teow, spicy curry chee cheong fun, and more. You can also find other favourite dishes like Japanese tepanyaki and pizza. There is always something for every taste bud here.

Gurney Drive Hawker Stalls
One of the most popular hawker sites in Penang, Gurney Drive hawker stalls offer the biggest variety of street food. It is the best place for food enthusiasts to get a taste of the local cuisine. If you are going to visit Gurney Drive, try out the char koay kak, a local dish made up of stir-fried bean sprouts and white radish, with chili, egg, and pork. But be ready to move through a cramped space since the Gurney Drive has more of a cafeteria style dining.

Lebuh Presgrave Hawker Stalls
Not a lot of people are familiar with the stretch of hawker stalls at Lebuh Presgrave, for the longest time, it has been a well-kept secret among locals. But slowly, it is gaining audience from foreign tourists. The tastiest dishes is found in Lebuh Presgrave, and if you’re fond of delicious late night meals, this is definitely the place for you. You must try the famous bowl of prawn noodles from 88 Hokkien Mee with an add-on of chili for that added kick. Other dishes you should check out are wantan mee, fried oysters, and lor bak.

After a full day’s worth of eating and drinking with friends, you will need a hotel in Penang that offers a comfortable place for you to relax and unwind. The Royale Bintang Penang has a unique blend of old-world glamour and contemporary amenities that provide guests with a charming holiday accommodation.

What are you waiting for? Get those eating pants out of the closet and head on over to Penang for a food trip of a lifetime.