Penang trip

 

1. Take a walk along Penang’s Harmony Street

Penang’s Street of Harmony is found along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. It is one of the places which best reflect the multi-cultural uniqueness of Malaysia as a country. The street is filled with multiple places of worship catering to different faiths. It’s not uncommon to see devotees pouring in and out on a weekend or religious holiday. Some of the buildings include the Masjid Kapitan Keling (duh!), Kuan Yin Temple, St. George’s Church, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and many more. The famous Khoo Kongsi building, along with some of Penang’s famous street murals, are also located here.

2. Embark on a culinary marathon

Having covered Penang’s street art, I think it’s only fair to start talking about Penang Street FOOD. Penang is consistently ranked as one of the best food paradises in the world and it would take a brave soul to argue against that. From hawker food staples like Char Koay Teow to delicious broths like Assam Laksa, and even to scrumptious after-meal delights like Rojak, Penang has it all. So much so that ‘Penang’ has become a sort of brand in Malaysia’s culinary field. If you are a foodie, embarking on a culinary marathon should be on top your must-do Penang activities.

There are many food courts and hawker centres across the entire island. A good place to start would be along Gurney Drive. Be warned as it could get really crowded on certain days and seats would be at a premium.

3. Take a train ride up Penang Hill

Also known as Bukit Bendera in Malay, Penang Hill is one of the top attractions in Penang and one of the coolest (the temperature is literally cooler at the top of the hill). One of the main attractions of Bukit Bendera is the funicular train ride to the top of the hill. It only takes five minutes but if you’re one who fancies the embrace of nature, you may also choose to hike up the hill.

4. Satisfy your inner bibliophile at one of Malaysia’s largest book stores!

BookXcess Gurney Paragon is one of the largest book stores in Malaysia and a true haven for book lovers. It occupies the entire 7th and 8th floor of Gurney Paragon Mall. Stocking works of many different genres and even vintage comic books, you could easily spend the entire day here just browsing the available titles. What’s more, all the books sold here are extremely well-priced; they are cheaper than most chain retail stores. So, you might need an extra bag for your one-hour shopping trip here!