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Some cities simply stand out for all the right reasons, and this welcoming destination has so much to love!
Think delicious street food, beautiful temples and monuments, and some of the region’s best beaches.
Penang is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Malaysia, earning it the nickname The Pearl of the Orient.
According to a new report in The starDemand in the city is at an all-time high, with hotel occupancy during the Christmas period ranging from as much as 90% to 100%.
Here’s why you should add this Asian island paradise to your bucket list.
A unique cultural cocktail
Penang is a unique destination that combines cultural aspects of the great Asian kingdoms with nods to European culture.
Traditional Malay temples stand shoulder to shoulder with British colonial buildings.
This means that culture vultures will be spoiled for choice of things to see and do.
Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple Buddhist temple (entry is free), the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and an important pilgrimage site. This is a beautiful temple complex with millions of beautiful Buddha statues.
To learn more about the culture here, try the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. This is a museum dedicated to Penang’s Peranakan heritage and the architecture of the mansion is spectacular. Entrance to the mansion costs RM25 ($5.59) per personand free tours are available.
As an added bonus, Penang has a tropical climate, meaning this is the perfect time to visit. December to February are the driest months of the year on the island.
This means you can enjoy the many outdoor attractions the island has to offer. For thrill seekers, why not try Escape Penang?
It’s an epic water park with a high ropes course and zip lines.
This is the number 1 theme park in Malaysia, and tickets cost RM156 ($34.93) per person.
The beaches of Penang
Penang is known for its spectacular beaches. And visiting these is a real highlight of a visit to the island.
The most famous and beautiful beach in Penang is Batu Ferringhi Beach. This offers glistening white sand and incredible views.
Batu Ferringhi Beach is a fun and lively beach full of attractions and amenities. It is especially a great place if you want to try out water sports.
If you’re looking for something a little quieter, head to Penang National Park.
You will find some beautiful secluded beaches here. One of the best is Monkey Beach, which has an incredibly serene atmosphere and is only accessible by boat.
Penang National Park has a RM50 ($11.18) entrance fee for adultsand this can only be paid in cash. Credit cards are not accepted here, so make sure you have some cash with you before you arrive.
As beautiful as the beaches in Penang are, there is a disclaimer. Many of the beaches here are not recommended for swimming as they are often cloudy and many jellyfish call the waters around the island their home.
Spectacular street food
Being such a cultural hotspot, Penang boasts a diverse street food offering. In fact, the street food here is considered some of the best in the world!
Penang is the food capital of Malaysia, and whether you’re looking for authentic Chinese pastries or spicy Indian roti, you’ll find it here.
You can take a street food tour of the city, but you can also just opt for my preferred option: wander around and eat whatever you fancy! 16 of the street food restaurants have been here awarded Bib Gourmand ratings from Michelin.
If you only eat in one place, make it Ravi’s famous Apom Manis in George Town. This street stall has been serving crispy crêpes with a soft, puffy center since 1920, prepared in a clay pot over charcoal.
Be warned! These are so famous (and so popular) that if you don’t arrive early in the day you won’t get one at all.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
