In which quarter house in Penang?

Going to Malaysia for a next trip? Discover the Penang peninsula and above all, where to stay in Penang!

Small island on the northwest coast of the Malay Peninsula – or Malacca Peninsula –, Penang is a state of Malaysia with a population of 1.767 million (in 2018). Constituted in two parts separated by the Strait of Penang, the State has an island part and a continental part, and is a must-see point of the Andaman Sea for many visitors coming to visit the Malaysia and Thailand .

Administered for several centuries by the Sultan of Kedah, the island fell into the escarcelle of the British crown at the end of the 18th century, which founded a counter of the company of the British Indies. In the 19th century, Penang is a turning point in opium trade between the India and China . Today, it draws the majority of its income through tourism. With a majority of Chinese and Indians, the cities of Penang have a strong multicultural soul and a very rich cultural heritage, which does not fail to please travellers.

George Town

George Town is the capital of Penang, located on a cornice east of the island. The architecture of this city – which had 198,298 inhabitants in 2010 – is marked by the buildings of the British colonial era, especially on luxurious villas and institutional buildings. Elsewhere, it is the predominant Chinese style, as many Chinese traders have settled there to thrive on the island.

If you love religious buildings, you will be filled with: you can visit the streets of Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, mosques and even a church. Near the port, don't miss the neighborhood Little India and surrounding museums (Musée de l’islam, the Wonderfood Museum, the Sun Yat-Sen Museum) and of course, the many food stands where to eat in the street for really cheap. If you like the urban environment, it is a good place to sleep in Penang before leaving for beaches and inside the island.

Penang

North of George Town, is the town-neighborhood of Penang, with a few hotels to stay in Penang and its Botanical Garden immense, housed in lush equatorial vegetation. In the city centre, you will find a few bars and terraces: even if Malaysia is mostly a country of Muslim faith, visitors must be able to drink there! A little less festive but equally interesting: the colonial museum of Penang, towards the Jalan D. S. Ramanathan Street . At the seafront, there are some places to stay in Penang, near the large buildings overlooking the sea.

Batu Ferringhi

If there was a city more tourist than the others in Penang, it would be that: Batu Ferringhi is the seaside resort of Penang. It is a must-see place to stay in Penang if you like both paradise beaches, walks in nature and museums. Batu Ferringhi is renowned for her night market . The premises of George Town and the tourists flock there by thousands to enjoy the atmosphere of the aisles, the rickshaws with a thousand colors, the sympathy of the merchants animating the market, or to taste the charms of Asian cuisine.

On the beach, walk instead of swimming: jellyfish – jellyfish – invite in the waters from July to September, and their burns can be very painful. It is nevertheless a nice setting to stay in Penang. On the road to the west, stop at Tropical Spice Garden a lush tropical garden. Then Penang National Park, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang is a must, with Monkey Beach to finish.