Wandering around to find what things to do in Penang? Whether for an adventurous person or a foodie, or someone who is simply looking for a relaxing place, Penang has something special for everyone. This guide will cover all of the best things to do in Penang so that you can really make the most of your visit useful to this vibrant island. From diving into Penang’s rich cultural history to enjoying its tasty local food, here’s everything you need to make your visit to Penang unforgettable.
Penang is a beautiful island in Malaysia which is famous for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and their local delicious foods. It may look like a small island but it contains a variety of things for all kinds of people. From the tropical rainforest to the famous George Town which is popular for its architecture, mix of culture, people, and religions. Here, a list of the places is figured out about what things to do in Penang. So, let’s get to know-
Top Things to Do in Penang: Unmissable Experiences for Every Explorer
George Town
The easiest and cheapest tour will be in George Town. George Town, recognized as the capital of Penang, holds the prestigious status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walking tour in its street is most famous for its amazing street arts, temples, and colonial architecture. A 2-3 hour walking tour with street foods would be enough and enjoyable and you have to make sure to check out famous pieces like “Kids on Bicycle”, “Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur”, etc. you can visit the Pinang Peranakan mansion to find out how wealthy lifestyle of the Peranakan (Straits Chinese) community. Also, there is the Khoo Kongsi clan house which is known for its intricate architecture, and the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also called the Blue Mansion, a beautifully restored heritage hotel.
Penang Hill
Visiting Penang Hill can give you incredible panoramic views of the island and a cool retreat from the tropical heat. Penang Hill is also commonly known as Bukit Bendera. To enjoy Penang Hill, riding a funicular from Air Itam to the top of Penang Hill would be the best option and it will take only a few minutes to reach the top. You will find a lot of enjoyable activities there. From there, you can take in a stunning, unobstructed view of all of Penang. If you want a thrilling experience then you should follow the walking guide of Penang Hill and can try one of the three excellent walking trails.
The maximum place of Penang Island is covered in lush, tropical rainforest. A visit to the island would definitely not be complete without getting a taste of that beauty. The Habitat Penang Hill is the best place to go on such an adventure. Habitat Penang Hill is an eco-tourism park comprising a canopy walk from where one can view the rainforest from above. It can offer nature trails and guided tours, and this is a perfect spot for nature lovers. You can go to the David Brown’s Restaurant and Tea Terrace for a unique dining experience or enjoy a meal or traditional English afternoon tea at this colonial-style restaurant which is located at the top of Penang Hill. It provides breathtaking views of George Town and its surrounding areas.
Penang National Park
Penang National Park is perfect for a day trip to experience the rainforest, relax on a tropical beach, or enjoy a hike which is located in the northwest corner of the island. Most visitors come from George Town (a 45-minute ride) or Batu Ferringhi (a 20-minute ride), both of which are easily accessible by Grab taxi. You might want to start by trekking into the park from its entrance to reach Turtle Beach. The going is rough, so be prepared for about 1.5 hours of trekking and get some drinking water. This is one of the island’s prettiest beaches. On this beach, you will encounter the Meromictic Lake, an ecosystem created out of the natural separation of fresh and seawater into two different layers, an enormously rare phenomenon, yet common in this area and the free-to-enter Penang Turtle Conservation Center.
From Turtle Beach, you can organize a boat ride through the entrance of the park to Monkey Beach. Monkey Beach has snack bars where you can enjoy a beer, but beware of the monkeys. You can spend the day on the beach, rent kayaks, enjoy an ATV trip into the jungle, or decide to trek up to Muka Head lighthouse. This walk should last one hour, but it’s well worth it for the views of Penang Island and Malacca Straits.
Escape Theme Park
Located on the northwestern tip of the island near Entopia, Escape Theme Park is a multi-faceted adventure park that offers a variety of exciting activities for all ages. The main attraction is the waterpark which features the world’s longest tube water slide, wave pools, speed racers, a kids pool, lazy rivers, and water obstacle courses.
The theme park is surrounded by rainforest to create harness-based activities beyond that of the waterpark which is the world’s longest zip-coaster, slingshots, giant swings, high-rope courses, traditional zip lines, and Malaysia’s first dry ski-slope for skiing, snowboarding, or inflatable tire descents.
Escape Penang provides many rides and attractions for a fun-filled day. Some activities have a height restriction of 120cm and above and there are many for kids of all heights. For a unique experience, you can consider base camp, the overnight option that includes camping under the stars with tents, toilets, parking, and two-day park entry.
Penang Botanical Gardens
Penang botanical gardens or waterfall gardens are peaceful places filled with beautiful plants and flowers. The gardens are filled with various species of trees, orchids, and palms, as well as a delightful lily pond. If you want a leisure time walk or a morning jogging, the gardens are ideal with well-maintained paths and lush greenery. If you go to a specific time of year when the flowers bloom all over the gardens, you will enjoy a beautiful moment there.
The Majestic Kek Lok Si Temple
In Penang, there are a lot of things to do but visiting Kek Lok Si temple would be a great choice. Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, a huge complex is home to beautiful gardens, sharply well-decorated buildings, and large statues. This seven-story building is a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese stylistic approaches in architecture, and it houses thousands of Buddha statues. The view from the top is breathtaking and it offers a view of the surrounding area. The 30.2-meter-tall Madam Kwan Yin is the centerpiece of the temple’s imposing bronze statue which is a symbol of compassion and is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
Above are the main spots to see and enjoy but there are a lot more places and things to do in Penang. Some of them are,
- Penang’s culinary delights at Gurney Drive is the Penang’s food paradise and a great place for food lovers, will provide you with signature dishes.
- The Penang War Museum provides insights into Penang’s history during World War II.
- The unique snake temple provides traditional Chinese architecture.
- The most famous Batu Ferringhi Beach which is a perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, water sports, and night markets.
- The tropical spice garden will provide you with knowledge of many different spices.
- The traditional clan jetties will give you knowledge of the unique lifestyles of those villages, etc.
Conclusion
From historical and cultural exploration to culinary delights and natural beauty, Penang offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Whether you’re visiting for a short trip or a longer stay, there’s no shortage of things to do in Penang. Rather, you will find more places to explore. So, without any hesitation, you can pack your bags and get ready to explore this vibrant and diverse island!