Penang, Malaysia, is a vibrant destination known for its rich history, delicious street food, and stunning landscapes. You will find a plethora of places to visit in Penang, an island that is proud of its culture and is in love with the idea of exhibiting it in every way possible. It doesn’t catch a break from impressing the tourists with the most unusual yet spectacular places like the Clan Jetties and the Floating Mosque. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Penang:
1. George Town
George Town, the capital of Penang, is a fascinating blend of history, culture, and modernity. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the city is famous for its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and diverse cultural influences from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European heritage.
2. Penang Butterfly Park
If you haven’t had the chance to connect with the charm of nature in a long time, then Entopia Penang Butterfly Park should be on your list of places to visit in Penang. This farm houses over 4,000 butterflies of about 150 species, each more ecstatic than the other drifting one into a fairytale land. You can watch plenty of butterflies flutter around in freedom at the Natureland, or visit the cocoon, the abode for their little ones to breathe into life.
3. Glass Museum Penang
Choose to visit the Glass Museum Penang during your visit, and you are sure to rave about its build and beauty for the rest of your life. Pictures from your trip cannot get any better than when clicked in this museum where you can confuse the image when standing in the large kaleidoscope.
4. Kek Lok Si
Kek Lok Si is a wonderful Buddhist temple built away from Penang’s shore. This architectural structure that is a haven for Buddhist pilgrims and Chinese teachings houses a large Buddha statue apart from thousands of his pictures, more than a hundred carvings, and some sculptures making it a traditional home for both Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism.
5. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a majestic UNESCO Heritage Site located in Georgetown, Penang (Malaysia). Once the private residence of Cheong Ho, it now serves as a boutique hotel and museum. It is often known as the Blue Mansion because of its distinctive blue-colored outer walls and external decorations. The Blue Mansion is located very close to many culturally blooming areas of the city, such as Chinatown, the Clan Jetties Floating Village, and Little India. The mansion also offers guided tours, full of interesting bits of information for the eternally curious traveler.
6. Penang Botanic Gardens
The Penang Botanic Gardens, also called the Waterfall Gardens, is located on the Jalan Air Terjun Road in George Town. The landscaped gardens are popular for housing indigenous and exotic plant species. The beautifully manured 50-hectare park is divided into twelve sections - Formal Garden, Perdana Plant House, Tropical Rainforest Jungle Track, Lily Pond, Fern House, Fern Rockery, Cactus House, Aroid Walkaway, Horticulture Centre, Orchidarium, Nursery, and Quarry Recreational Park.
7. Tropical Spice Garden
This is a place for all those who want to off-beat things when away on a trip to Penang. The garden that once used to be a rubber plantation has now transformed into an aromatic spice garden where there is a lot to learn about the 500 species of flora and fauna for enthusiasts. You can walk around the natural trails that also cross waterfalls while you explore this award-winning garden with a guided tour.
8. Penang Hill
One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of Penang is to ride the funicular from Air Itam to the top of Penang Hill. This is the cheapest and quickest way to get up Penang Hill. It takes about four minutes to reach the top where you’ll find a surprising amount of activities, sights, and exhibitions waiting for you.
9. Sri Mahamariamman Temple
The popular Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang. Also known as Queen Street Indian Temple, the highlight of the temple is the exquisite carving of various Gods and Goddesses over its facade and entrance gate. This temple is Georgetown's oldest Hindu temple, built back in 1883. You will find a lot of South Indians (locals at that), inside this temple. There is a typical gopuram above the entrance that adds to its charm.
10. Penang Floating Mosque
Penang Floating Mosque is just like any other typical mosque but for the uniqueness that it is built in ocean water, making it stand out from the others. Built not so long ago in 2005, this is the only one that is built in the ocean water. An attraction of this mosque is that it allows people to swim around it when the tides are bearable to witness the underwater engineering that holds this religious building above water. The sound of the azaan, their call to prayer makes one dwell in the sanctity of their beliefs.
