Penang Island (Malaysia) – how to get there on your own and what to see, photo, description, map
The resorts of the Malaysian island of Penang are always popular among beach lovers. However, it is famous not only for its beautiful coastline, but also for its interesting sights. In addition, guests are offered a variety of entertainment.
How to get from Moscow to the island
Penang has an international airport with flights from AirAsiays, SilkAir, Jetstar Airways, Tiger Airways, Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get to Penang Island from Moscow directly. You will have to do one or even several transplants. The most convenient options are via Singapore or Bangkok.
In the case of Singapore, you will be served by Singapore Airlines on the first leg of the journey, and Tiger Airways on the second leg. The transfer will last only 1 hour 45 minutes, the total travel time is 13 hours 35 minutes. In the second case, the duration of the flight will be the same. The only inconvenience is that in Bangkok you will have to change the airport, the Moscow-Bangkok Aeroflot aircraft arrives in Suvarnabhumi, and the second section of the route, Bangkog-Penang, is operated by Thai Airways and will have to fly from Don Muang Airport. The travel time is 3 hours.
If none of these options suits you, you can use routes with two transfers. There are quite a few of them. For example, Moscow-Dubai-Kuala Lumpur-Penang, Moscow-Beijing-Kuala Lumpur-Penang, Moscow-Delhi-Bangkok-Penang and so on.
How to get to Penang Island from Kuala Lumpur
From the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, there are several ways to get to Penang Island. The easiest and fastest way to do this is by plane. Malindo Airways, Firefly, MAS, Airasia flights depart from Sultan Abdulaziz Shah Airport every 15-20 minutes. Travel time is about an hour.
Those who are not looking for easy ways can take a bus or train – the island of Penang is connected to the mainland of Malaysia by a bridge. In the first case, the journey will start from the Pudu Raya bus terminal and end at the international station of the city of Sungai Nibong. This trip will take at least 6 hours. The same amount of time will be spent by those who decide to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang by train.
What to see
Most of the attractions of Penang Island are concentrated in its capital, George Town. On its streets you can find temples of various religions. One of the most famous, Wat Chayamangkalaram is naturally Buddhist. It is one of the top three in Penang and is famous for its 33-meter Buddha statue, one of the largest in the world. Dharmikarama Burmese Temple is best known for being the only Burmese Buddhist temple outside of Myanmar. And the Anglican Church of St. George and the Muslim mosque Karitan Keling look quite unusual. To understand how all this can coexist in one city, you can only learn more about the history of Malaysia.
You can digress from the religious theme by visiting Fort Cornwallis, which was once called upon to protect English possessions from attacks by the French army and pirates. In addition, in Georgetown you can visit the streets of various nations – the Chinese village on stilts Clan Jetties, the center of Little India Queen Street and so on. And those who want to take a break from the urban hustle and bustle will surely enjoy the botanical garden.
There are interesting places outside of Georgetine. For example, the Serpent Temple in Bayan Lepas. It got its name not by chance – at the altar, indeed, curled up, reptiles rest. Locals claim that they are not dangerous at all, as they are chronically intoxicated by the smell of incense.
Things to do on the island
The most popular tourist attraction on the island is climbing Mount Penang. Its height is not too high, only 833 meters, but from the top there is a beautiful view that can amaze even seasoned travelers. You can climb here on foot or by funicular. The first option is only suitable for tourists with a fairly high level of physical fitness who are not looking for easy ways. You can continue your active vacation by renting a bicycle and setting off on a journey along your own route.
Another popular activity is boat trips. A huge number of routes are offered, lasting from an hour to several days, on different ships. For those who prefer to relax on land, there are trips to the butterfly park and the botanical garden. Thrill seekers will certainly be interested in the Escape Adventureplay adventure amusement park.
And, of course, having arrived on the island of Penang, one cannot bypass the topic of Malaysian cuisine. You can get acquainted with it not only in a cafe or restaurant, but also by visiting a thematic master class, which begins with the selection and purchase of fresh products in the market, and ends with a tasting of cooked dishes.
Where to stay
On the island of Penang, a huge number of hotels of various levels. Which one to choose depends, first of all, on the purpose of the trip. If you decide to dedicate your vacation to sightseeing, then the four-star Vistana Penang Bukit Jambul in Bayan Lepas is the best option. Stylish rooms, a swimming pool where you can relax after a busy day of excursions, and a high level of service will make your stay unforgettable.
In Georgetown, you should pay attention to the five-star Eastern and Oriental Hotel, located in a luxurious, colorful mansion of the 19th century. The atmosphere of that time is recreated in every room. Another plus is the location, right on the waterfront. In the modern G Hotel Kelawai, also five-star, the atmosphere is completely different, in techno style. From here it is convenient to get not only to the embankment, but also to other city attractions.
If your goal is a beach holiday, then you should pay attention to Batu Feringa hotels. The best of them are the four-star Holiday Inn Resort Penang (the line does not need advertising), The Bayview Beach Resort, which boasts a beautiful green area and a chic spa, and the cozy five Parkroyal Penang Resort with excellent open-air restaurants.