Reasons Penang Made It to the Top 10 Most Alluring Cities in the World

The unique elements below have helped Penang – the beautiful, culturally rich island of Malaysia – capture the hearts of travelers far and wide in recent times.

Reasons Penang Made It to the Top 10 Most Alluring Cities in the World

Immediately after George Town on the island of Penang (Malaysia) was listed by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 most alluring cities to visit in 2016, many adventurers scheduled trips to explore this destination.

The Walls That Speak

Before catching Lonely Planet's eye, George Town was already a UNESCO-recognized historic town, acknowledged as a world cultural heritage site.

One of the most famous spots on the island is the 3D street art graffiti zone. Unlike the hot, chaotic Western-style color patches, the 3D graffiti wall paintings in Penang are poetic in an Eastern way, resembling the innocent faces of children riding bicycles together, girls swinging on giant swings, old-fashioned cars driven by fathers, or stray cats hiding in the corners of crumbling walls...

Artists have ingeniously blended painted scenes with real objects to create spaces that are both real and surreal, making the characters seem to live alongside you.

Rediscovering the Flow of Old and New Architecture

With a history spanning hundreds of years, each architectural marvel in Penang tells a memorable story of its past. It's a harmonious blend of British, Indian, Chinese, and Malay cultures standing side by side throughout history.

One of Penang's most famous landmarks is the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Built in the 1800s, owned by a Chinese businessman, this historic house always intrigues visitors with its peculiar deep blue hue.

Penang is also an ideal destination to explore religious sites. St. George's Church is the oldest European architectural church in Southeast Asia, built by the British in the 1880s during colonial times. Additionally, one cannot overlook the Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia. On festive days, the temple glows with thousands of red lanterns hanging.

Adventure with Penang's Nature

A fantastic spot to explore Penang's nature is the Penang National Park. Spanning over 2,562 hectares, it's home to nearly 50 species of resident birds and a diverse ecosystem with lush tropical rainforests.

Penang Hill is not too far from George Town's city center, so you can take a bus or taxi there. Standing over 800 meters tall, the hill's summit offers an ideal vantage point to admire the island's lush greenery. Taking the funicular train from the base to the top, you'll suddenly transition to a refreshing temperate climate zone. Hiking down the mountain through the forest is also an exciting experience.

A Land of Festivities

In Penang, in January, you might be lucky to witness the splendid beauty of lanterns at the Kek Lok Si Temple during the Chinese New Year celebration.

During the summer, the island comes alive with the atmosphere of the dragon boat racing festival, characteristic of Southeast Asia's river culture. There are also a plethora of other festivals such as the Chap Goh Meh mandarin orange throwing festival, George Town festival, Penang music festival, and more.

As the night falls, tourists have more choices for entertainment at bars and lively dining areas offering a variety of local specialties along Chulia Street, a budget-friendly dining area favored by backpackers. And if you're a seafood lover, head to Gurney Drive food district.

Penang is also known as the culinary capital of Malaysia. In Penang, don't miss the famous asam laksa, a sour fish soup cooked with tuna fish. You should also try hokkien mee, a noodle dish with chicken, pork, shrimp, and a sweet broth made from simmered bones. Char kway teow, a stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp, eggs, blood cockles, bean sprouts, chili paste, and chives, is also worth a try.

You should plan an average of 3 days to explore Penang. On the first day, stroll around the historic town of George Town, visit the street art area, and explore the architectural landmarks. In the evening, you can visit the dining and entertainment districts for relaxation.

On the second day, you can enjoy the sunrise by the beach. Then, from the center of George Town, visit Kek Lok Si Temple. Penang Hill is quite close from here. On the third day, you can leisurely explore the remaining tourist attractions such as museums, amusement parks, etc.

According to Zingnews

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour