What should I know about Penang Malaysia? With its population of 1.8 million and a home to the stories behind every street, colonial heritages built by the bare hands of immigrants, soulful street arts across walls and alleys and life-long worth of indulging the tastebuds, Penang is truly the heart of the country and music to our soul. If this is your next stop, find out the little details of this islet in our 10 things to know before coming to Penang Malaysia.
Francis Light is probably looking down at the island he once discovered and realized he did a pretty damn good job! I mean, Who in the world doesn’t know this little quaint island of wonders?
Penang Malaysia: 10 Things You Need To Know
Let’s take a quick look at some tips you need to know about Penang, Malaysia. If you’re travelling to Penang, we welcome you! Remember to read our blogs about things to do in Penang, best hotel in Penang and upcoming events in Penang. It’s free! Without further ado, let’s check out Penang Malaysia now!
1. Your next favourite cheap island
Travelling on a low budget and concerned about the limitation it might cause? Worries you should dump in the ocean on your way to Penang! Though not the best in terms of efficiency, Rapid Busses here will take your the furthest point of the island in less than rm3. Can’t be bothered with a fancy hotel? Penang homes too many hostels suiting your needs and privacy with the best price and reviews on TripAdvisor. Heck with a budget as low rm5 ( $1.25), be surprised at the options laid out to fill up your tummy.
2. Check-in with an appetite
A gourmet kaleidoscope reflecting Malaysia’s colourful ethnic mix – as well as offering delicious Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine, Penang is unparalleled for the diversity and quality of its regional cooking. Through migration and colonization, this island has composed some of the most exquisite dishes that is composed of flavor, flavors, and SO MANY FLAVORS. The trick to finding good food here are queues, stalls by the drain and that aroma drifting through the wind. No Kidding!
Guides: Top 25 Street Foods in Penang. A guide by the locals!
3. Architectures rich with History!
The arrival of Chinese and Indians with the existence of the Malay culture, make for dynamic multicultural capital, rich in character and oozing a strong cultural heritage. There are British colonial buildings alongside Chinese shophouses, mosques next to Chinese temples, yet somehow it all works. Needless to say, the old town is certainly the heart of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but there is also a modern side, with shopping malls and skyscrapers, if you fancy a change of scenery. Simply put, a city lying on an island.
4. Street arts are wildly appreciated
While there are countries that have zero tolerance for graffiti, Penang embraces the beauty of it and calls it mural painting which works for the artist all over the world to leave a part of them here through the masterpiece, brushes evoke through the narrow lanes, and on the walls of 19th-century buildings. Best time to appreciate them is the during the earliest hour free from the heat and crowd! There are even several maps to guide you along the routes to discover the hidden treasure. Check it out!
5. It’s one HOT island
Be prepared for the heat guys. Located a degree north to the equator, it’s fair to say Penang is as tropical as it gets. And being an island, its temperature is often higher than the mainland, with temperatures reaching as high as 35°C during the day. So time to ditch the long pants and turtlenecks for some summer dresses and breezy breathable pants. Weather forecast according to the location of the island right here.
6. GRAB’ is your BFH aka Best Friend Here
No more days where we wait by the road hope to hitch a ride or taxi drivers slicing our throat with their rate using meters. Grab is only the easiest but in most cases the cheapest way to travel around the popular east side of the island minus the hassle. Plus with constant promo codes and deals, you’re hardly on the losing side 🙂 On a side note, Uber is no longer available in Malaysia as grab has taken over Uber’s operation.
7. It’s cash most of the time
Yes, it’s 2018 and you wonder why cash still exist when there are credit cards, online banking, and such. Well, that ain’t the case here in Penang. Especially at most hawker stalls, and street shops where most of the items or food cost a little, they’d expect you to pay them with small bills. Luckily there are lots of ATM’S scattered around the island, so be sure to the pop in and pop out with some ‘KA-CHING’! Tips: CIMB allow big withdrawals!
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8. Check your calendar
With diversifying ethnicities, race, and religions, it is not surprising that its the festive season all year around hence be sure to check out the best time to witness the culture of Penang come to live. Fall is the best time to visit as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Navarathri, and Muharram are festivals celebrated one after another.
9. Culture, People & Diversity
Ask a stranger here for direction, and he’ll go out of his way to take you wherever you need to be! One of the beauties about Penang is that living in a multicultural country that encompasses diversity, adaptability is attained by locals to fit in the crowd and live a harmoniously peaceful life! Travelling solo? Best done in Penang, as the streets in Georgetown are usually packed with people and are willing to share a seat on their table if you aren’t that creepy! Lol. So don’t be afraid to get out there and make some new friends not just through tinder.
10. Manglish is our dialect
If you’re hearing “lah” or “sure wan” at the end of every sentence, you’re in the right country. Penang was the first island in Southeast Asia to be colonized by the Britains hence English is widely-spoken here albeit with a twist. With an island inhabiting different culture & race, we ought to have our own tune to the language thus ‘Manglish’ (Malaysian-English) happened. We bet at towards the end of your visit here, ‘Lah’ is something you’ll probably take back with ya.
Penang Malaysia
Hope this article on Top 10 things to know before Coming to Penang Malaysia defeated the unexpectedness. Feel free to comment and let us know what we have missed. Hoping to create more content to keep you guys on your toes. Till then, Ciao, Happy Weekend!
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We would like to invite you to join our New Private Community Group! Here you are free to ask questions, share your love for food, and explore the Penang community! We will also regularly post about casual promos and latest findings.
