Pops’ Penang Travel Guide

I wanted to expand on an earlier post I did on Penang, Malaysia. There is so much to see and do in Penang that I wanted to give you as much information as I can.

The number one attraction in Penang is the food. If you go there for any reason you need to try the food. Don’t be afraid to buy something to eat from a hawker stand or any restaurant you come across. You won’t be disappointed.

Also, as I have said before, the best fruit in the world comes from China and Southeast Asia. Sample the many different varieties.

Places to Stay:

 

 

Almost all of my stays in Penang in the 16 plus years have been at the Hotel Equatorial. The hotel sits on top of a hill with an 18 hole golf course on the grounds. The lobby is open air with water that flows through the lobby and out to a waterfall that drops into the outdoor pool. The views of Penang, the Penang Bridge and the mainland are incredible, especially at night during a lighting storm. It is away from the center of the city but has many restaurants to eat at. It is close to the free trade zone and has easy access to the bridge for the mainland. They are building a second bridge and the hotel will be between them. It is also close to the Queensbay Mall for shopping. I would highly recommend.

The Rasa Sayang Hotel is on Batu Ferringi Beach and is recently remodeled after a fire that destroyed most of the hotel. It is a great place to stay if you want to stay by the beach. It is the nicest hotel on the beach side of the island. There are restaurants in the hotel or in walking distance along the beach. 

The G Hotel is a newer hotel on Gurney Drive. Gurney Drive is along the waterfront and is known for its shopping and eating. Gurney Plaza is a new shopping mall next to the hotel.

 

 

 

The Evergreen Hotel is also close to Gurney Drive. It is older but is a nice alternative to the G Hotel.

The E&O (Eastern & Oriental) is in the city center and close to the nightlife and restaurants. It is an older hotel built in the age of the British Empire and is a must see even if you aren’t staying there. It is similar to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have stayed at all of these. Other hotels to consider are the new Hard Rock Hotel, The PARKROYAL and Holiday Inn. All are at Ferringi Beach. 

Attractions:

 

 

 

Kek Lok Si Temple is a beautiful Buddhist temple complex built up a hill.  Make sure to visit the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddha’s and the Kuan Yin Statue. I donated and was involved with the construction of the pavilion over the statue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha has the largest reclining Buddha in Southeast Asia.

 

Batu Ferringi Beach has hotels, restaurants and shopping as well as the beach. Be careful if you go into the water as there are jelly fish and stings are common. There is a night market that starts at 7pm that is a must see.

 

The Botanical Gardens is a great place to walk and enjoy the vegetation. Also, best place to see wild monkeys.

The War Museum is on the site of a British Garrison and Japanese prison during WWII. The British built cannons facing the sea to protect Penang but the Japanese attacked from the inland. The British destroyed the cannons before they left. The Japanese took over and turned it into the prison.

Penang Hill is one of the tallest points on the island. You can hike to the top or you can take a cable car up the mountain on tracks. I didn’t walk. At the top you get incredible views of the island. There are temples up there and a few places to eat.

 

 

 

Campbell Street is in central Penang and is a great place to buy gold jewelry. You will get a great deal and hand written receipt in Chinese.

The Snake Temple attracted snakes after it was built. Inside the church you will find vipers around the altar. Be careful when you enter the room on the right. They want to drape snakes on you so they can take your picture.

If you are into horse racing then the Turf Club is the place.

Fort Cornwallis was built by the British and you can take tours of the fort.

I would have a taxi just drive you around the city. You will see many different forms of architecture from the many cultures living on the island.

I would also check the calendar for festivals. With so many different cultures living on the island you may see something you will never see again. Check out the Indian Festivals, for me they were the most interesting.

Places to Eat:

The Ferringi Grill is inside the Rasa Sayang Hotel. This may be the best restaurant on the island. Both the bar area and the restaurant are very modern. The chef at the time was from Belgium and his trademark was to give you Belgium Chocolate at the end of the meal. In the bar you can listen to jazz, for example, from an Australian group. A must place to eat.

The Mansion is just what the name says. It is in an old British Mansion along the waterfront. They have a set dinner where you get soup, salad, entre and desert. The food is delicious.

The View also is just what the name suggests. It is in the Hotel Equatorial and has a wall of glass facing the bridge and the mainland. It has the best view from a restaurant on the island. The food is comparable to that of the Ferringi Grill.

The Ship is in the shape of an old sailing ship but it sits on dry land off the Ferringi Beach. It is more like a steak house.

Ingolf’s Kneipe German Restaurant is an authentic German restaurant on the way to Ferringi Beach.

 

The Golden Phoenix is in the Hotel Equatorial and has Chinese dinners and dim sum for lunch and dinner. My favorite Chinese Restaurant. 

For American style food you can go to Chili’s in Gurney Plaza or TGIF in the Queensbay Mall.

Nightlife:

Slippery Senorita’s or SS Disco as the locals call it is a nightclub featuring talented bartenders, loud/good music and interesting people. I have been there many times.

Healy Mac’s Pub is down the street from the Slippery Senorita’s. It is an authentic Irish pub. Even my Irish friends love it.

Anywhere between the Slippery Senorita’s and Healy Mac’s is where the nightlife is. If you want a wild time that’s the place to be.

Shopping:

There are 2 large shopping malls in Penang. The Queensbay Mall is the largest and Gurney Plaza is slightly smaller. When I said Queensbay Mall is big I mean it is the largest mall I have ever been in.

Getting Around:

Unless you are used to driving on the opposite side of the street I wouldn’t recommend learning in Penang. Also, there are a lot of scooters and one way streets and it is easy to get lost. It took me years to get comfortable driving around the island. Take a taxi, they are easy to find.