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Penang
'A small island with a big heart'. Offers great beaches, heritage trails and
forest clad hills.
Penang is one of Malaysia's most popular resorts, and although the island is
relatively small it has plenty to offer the visitor. The idyllic Batu Ferringhi
beach has it all; sun, sea and fun, and is where most resort hotels are located,
plus it has easy access to the grand old colonial capital of Georgetown. British
links with the island are strong, the first British trading post in Malaysia was
established here in 1786, and English is widely spoken. However, the island's
key cultural influence is Chinese and this gives Penang a distinctly Oriental
flavour.
Features
· Esplanade, Georgetown. Full of hawkers with stalls serving delicious Chinese
and Malay dishes.
· Fort Cornwallis. Old colonial fortress complete with cannon.
· Snake Temple. Where snakes doped from the smell of smoking joss sticks are
dangled over your shoulders.
· Penang Hill. Ride the funicular railway to the cool heights of the island.
· Kek Lok Si Temple. Pagoda style Buddhist temple with fascinating collection of
turtles.
· Khoo Kongsi. Elaborate shrine dedicated to one Chinese clan.
· Penang Cultural Village. A living exhibition of Malaysian culture.
· Tropical Gardens. Ornamental park full of exotic plants and flowers
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