Weekend Guide to Penang
A rich colonial background, rugged beaches, finger-lickin’ good local grub, and a laid-back charm – there’s no need to explain why Penang is called The Pearl of the Orient. Consider us sold!
Shop
Get a taste of Penang’s bustling trade scene by visiting its many markets like Chowrasta Bazaar (Jalan Chowrasta), Macallum Street Night Market (Lintang Macallum 1, Pengkalan Weld) and Batu Ferringhi Night Market (Jalan Batu Ferringhi). You can expect to find souvenirs, clothes, accessories, artwork, and street snacks – all for a steal.
Be warned – a trip to Penang’s mega-malls like Queensbay, 1st Avenue, Gurney Paragon, and Straits Quay might just blow a hole in your pocket.
Kim Fashion is best place to pick up your very own one-of-a-kind Nyonya kebaya outfit, made by Penang’s best artisan seamstresses.
Eat
The Peranakan culture is alive and well in Penang. And there’s no better way to confirm that than a meal at Mama’s Nyonya Food (31-D, Lorong Abu Siti). If it’s good enough for famous clientele like Ang Lee and shoe designer Dato’ Jimmy Choo, it’s definitely good enough for us mere mortals.
Located within the swanky yet whimsical confines of the Macalister Mansion, Living Room serves up playful Asian-Western fusion dishes.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a hankering for nostalgia, stop over at Ng Kee Cake Shop (61, Lebuh Cintra or 66, Jalan Macalister). This half-century-old establishment is famous for its Cantonese pepper biscuits, red bean buns and piping-hot egg tarts. We also like Ming Ziang Tai for their pastry.
The quickest way to get acquainted with all of Penang’s local delicacies is head over to New Lane Hawker Centre at Lorong Baru and Northam Beach Café (58, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah). Must-trys include spicy assam laksa, grilled stingray, char kuey teow and ice-kacang. While locals will dispute you on this, Gurney Drive is also a good option, but be prepared for longer queues and more tourists.
On a char kuey teow hunt? Check out Sisters fried kuey teow (Kedai Kopi Lam Heng, Macalister Road. Closed on Mondays.)
Drink
Tipple always tastes better with a view. Three Sixty Sky Bar, atop the Bayview Hotel, offers a panoramic view of Georgetown with an extensive menu of delicious cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Soho Free House (50A, Jalan Penang), a true-blue English pub, is understandably a favourite amongst expats and locals alike with their mantra, “It’s happy hour every hour.”
The Peranakan influences are hard to miss at Baba Bar, with its traditional interiors and Nyonya-inspired signature drinks like the George Town Cooler and Gallefort Special.
Do
Learn more about the island’s rich history by visiting the Pinang Peranakan Mansion (home to over 1000 antiques and artefacts) or signing up for the Heritage Trail, a three-hour guided tour around Penang.
Hike up to Penang Hill or take a leisurely funicular ride to the top. Either way, the incredible views over Penang and its lush green surroundings promise to be worth the journey. Best done in the morning to avoid the harsh Penang sun.
Rent a bike and explore Penang’s famed street art, which features everything from giant cat murals to multimedia pieces that integrate local references. Most bike shops have a map of the 25 most famous pieces to help you navigate your journey. Chin Seng Leong Bike Shop (84 Armenian Street) is out go-to.
ChinaHouse is three shophouses worth of shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, a bakery, a library, and live music. An old hat at the new George Town Festival, this place is definitely weoth a gander.
Ben’s Vintage Toy Museum provides some relief from the heat while entertaining the entire family. Try your hand at old-school pinball or peurse their collection of old dolls and toys.
No trip to Penang is complete without whiling away an afternoon on a sunny beach. Batu Feringghi is hot for water sports, restaurants, and bars. A ten-minute ferry ride from Penang’s Bayan Lepas will take you to the idyllic Jerejak Island, formerly known as ‘Malaysia’s Alcatraz’.
Stay
Opulent, dignified and down-right gorgeous, a night at Eastern & Oriental will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to colonial Malaya.
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang can do no wrong. The high-end beach resort, with its private beach and award-winning CHI spa, is enough to convince us never to leave Penang.
Cleverly fusing contemporary and Peranakan architecture, Seven Terraces is an oasis right in the heart of George Town.
1881 Chong Tian Hotel is another boutique hotel which celebrates its 130-year old Peranakan past.
Tips
Taxis are delightfully affordable. Blue taxis go by the meter, white taxis are reserved only for airport transfers, and red taxis, which are most common, are where you hone your haggling skills. Get a quote from the hotel to know how much you should be paying – the standard rate for most places range between RM12-15.
Penangites are incredibly friendly and always ready to share foodie advice. Ask your local taxi driver for food recs if you’re on a strict food trail.
Gurney Drive is best for rookies or first-time visitors. Go early or be prepared to queue. Make sure to watch your bags while there.
Thanks to our friends at AirAsia, Mel took the 11.25am flight to Penang. Why limit yourself to just Penang? Explore more destinations with AirAsia’s handy downloadable guide to Malaysia. It’s free!
This travel guide was brought to you by AirAsia.