CONTENT PENANG FACTOR 2 LAND OF HERITAGE 4 FACTS ABOUT PENANG 6 GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY 8 EXPERIENCES UNFILTERED 10 RADIANT CULTURE 12 MELODIOUS HARMONY 14 PRIZED HERITAGE 16 VIBRANT FESTIVALS 18 LUSTROUS NATURE 20 VENUES ABOUND 22 COLONIAL SPLENDOUR 24 GARDEN EXTRAVAGANZA 26 HERITAGE CHARM 28 RESORT LUXURY 30 CONVENTION CONVERGENCE 32 URBAN ELEGANCE 34 ABOUT PCEB 36 Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion © Sherwynd Rylan Kessler 1 PENANG FACTOR The Northern Malaysian state of Penang is a magical place steeped in rich history and heritage set amidst the backdrop of a thriving and modern city. The captivating fusion of old and new has cultivated one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cities and one of the world’s must visit places. With its bold gastronomical culture, charming colonial architecture, and beautiful nature hotspots, Penang offers the best of Asia to the world. Penang’s incomparable architecture, inspiring cuisine, colourful culture and sincere hospitality offers visitors an authentic and exceptional Asian experience. Wisma Yeap Chor Ee © Norlman Lo 3 LAND OF HERITAGE NIO M O UN IM D R T IA A L • P • W L O A I R D L D N H O E M R I E TA IN G O E • PATRIM George Town is a living testimony of the multi-cultural heritage and traditions of Asia, where diverse cultures and religion met and have coexisted in harmony for generations. In 2008, George Town was recognised for its outstanding universal value by UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention. The heritage enclave, according to UNESCO, represents a remarkable example of the historic colonial towns on the Straits of Malacca. The city reflects the coming together of cultural elements from the Malay Archipelago, India and China with those of Europe, to create architecture, culture and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion townscape unique only to George Town. © Sherwynd Rylan Kessler 5 FACTS ABOUT PENANG KOMTAR FERRY LOCATION | BOTANICAL | LANGUAGE GARDENS The Malaysian state of Penang sits strategically at the Northern tip of the Straits KTM BUTTERWORTH Bahasa Malaysia is the official language in Penang with English being widely of Malacca, a busy shipping route. Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, STATION spoken and used as the language of business and commerce. Mandarin is also Penang is a favourite international travel destination and is easily accessible via TELUK BAHANG widely spoken in Penang, followed by Tamil and other Chinese dialects such as air from anywhere in the world. Penang Hokkien. PENANG HILL TOW BOO KONG TEMPLE BUTTERWORTH KEK LOK SI CLIMATE | TEMPLE | VISA CHEROK TOKUN Penang boasts a warm tropical climate with temperatures ranging from a low Visitors to Penang must hold a valid passport or travel document valid for six of 21°C (70°F) to a high of 32°C (90°F) all year round. During the southwest months beyond their period of visit. Visa is not required for most nationalities for monsoon from April to September, Penang experiences plentiful rainfall, adding social or business visits, but for those that do, applications can be made at the a refreshing antidote to its tropical warmth. nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission. ST. ANNE’s chuRCH CURRENCY | BUKIT PANCHOR | INTERNET STATE PARK The currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), with ringgit (RM) being Staying connected is not a problem in Penang as we are the only Malaysian state the dollar equivalent. Foreign exchange booths are available all over Penang, with offering FREE state-wide WIFI with 1,550 hotspots to date. High speed wireless the ones situated in shopping malls operating seven days a week. The exchange connection is also available at most conventions and exhibition centres, hotels, rate for major currencies traded are displayed clearly at the booths. Major credit AUTO CITY cafés, and shopping malls, many with complimentary usage. cards, including American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most places. BALIK TELUK PENANG SNAKE CLAN PULAU KUMBAR AIRPORT TEMPLE JETTIES BUKIT TAMBUN 6 7 Direct air links between Penang and major Asian Cities: FREQUENCY OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS No Sector Airline Total/Week GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY 1 Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) MAS/Thai 7 2 Don Mueang (Bangkok) Air Asia 7 | By Air | By Road 3 Phuket Firefly 4 4 Koh Samui Firefly 3 Penang is directly accessible from 22 major local and regional airports, and The North-South Expressway (NSE) connects Penang to major 5 Hong Kong Dragonair 10 over 100 local and international destinations via the Kuala Lumpur International cities on the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia. From Mainland 6 Singapore Air Asia 29 Airport (KLIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2). Penang, there are three ways to access Penang Island: Silk Air 35 90 Jetstar Airways 14 Located in Bayan Lepas, the Penang International Airport is Tiger Airways 12 7 Medan Air Asia 22 • 16 km or a 30 minutes’ drive from George Town First Penang Bridge 50 Sriwijaya Air 7 • 30km or a 45 minutes’ from Seberang Perai Penang Bridge or Route E36 was, until 2014, the only Lion Air 21 • 32 km or a 1 hour’s drive from Batu Feringghi bridge connecting Seberang Perai and Gelugor on Penang 8 Jakarta Air Asia 7 • 326 kilometres or a 50 minutes’ flight from KLIA Island. The exit for the 13.5 km dual carriageway tolled 9 Surabaya Air Asia 3 • 603 km or a 1 hour 30 minutes’ flight from Singapore bridge is after the Juru Toll for North-bound traffic and after 10 Banda Acheh Firefly 7 Changi the Sg Dua Toll for South-bound traffic. 11 Guangzhou China Southern Airlines 7 12 Taipei Chin Airlines 4 13 Krabi Firefly 3 14 Ho Chi Minh City Air Asia 4 Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge @ PENANG 15 Yangon Air Asia 3 | By Rail Second Penang Bridge Total 209 The Second Penang Bridge or Route E28 connects Batu More than 20 direct flights Kawan in Seberang Perai to Batu Maung on Penang Penang’s central railway terminal is located in Butterworth, Seberang Perai. Island via the Bandar Cassia Link Road. The 24 km dual The railway station sits on the mainline that runs from Singapore (via the KTM carriageway tolled bridge is the nearest link to Penang FREQUENCY OF DOMESTIC FLIGHTS shuttle train from Woodlands to Johor Bahru terminal) all up way up North to Island for North-bound traffic. No Sector Airline Total/Week Bangkok. Train services run daily, with Kuala Lumpur a mere 4 hours ride on the 1 Johor Bahru Air Asia 24 ETS and Bangkok a 12-hour overnight ride away. 2 Kota Kinabalu Air Asia 11 3 KLIA Air Asia 72 By Ferry MAS 56 140 For a nostalgic tinged experience, take the Ferry from Malindo 12 Butterworth to get to Penang Island. The ferry transports 4 Kuching Air Asia 10 | By Bus both passengers and vehicles. Ticket for the ferry is 5 Kuantan Firefly 3 purchased only one way – island bound at the Butterworth 6 Kota Bahru Firefly 14 Terminal. 7 Subang Firely 102 Penang is connected to all major towns and cities in Peninsula Malaysia via 165 Malindo 63 bus, with numerous bus operators plying hundreds of buses daily to and from 8 Langkawi Air Asia 14 KOMTAR and the Sungai Nibong bus terminals on the island and Butterworth 24 Firefly 10 bus terminal. 9 Miri Air Asia 4 10 Melaka Malindo 4 Total 399 8 9 EXPERIENCES UNFILTERED Chew Jetty Chingay © ... © Sherwynd Rylan Kessler 11 RADIANT CULTURE 2. Tabla (Indian Drums) 3. Chinese Opera © Benson Tan © Ivan Lim Set against the backdrop of this tiny Malaysian state is Asia’s loudest 1 Be captivated by the mystical and magical elements of the Malay culture through traditional cultural and most colourful cultural convergences. Penang’s potpourri of Asian performances such as the Kuda Kepang, or Horse Riders. Experience Kuda Kepang’s transcendental energy cultures and world religions – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Islam, Buddhism, at sunset for a night of Eastern mysticism. Hinduism, Christianity and many more – makes Penang a multicultural and multi-religious experiment that is not only successful, but also one 2 Take in the colourful energy of Little India. From the exotic spices and luscious sarees to the hypnotic beats that is ever growing. of the tabla and dhol, savour a slice of Penang’s rich Indian culture and its many traditional art forms. 3 Elaborate costumes, colourful paints and bold martial art moves come twilight: You’ll find all this and more at the various Chinese operas based in Penang. Listen to their refined literary stories that have been performed 1. Kuda Kepang (Horse Riders) unchanged for centuries. © Sherwynd Rylan Kessler 13 MELODIOUS HARMONY 2. Goddess of Mercy Temple 3. St. George’s Church © Penang Global Tourism © Penang Global Tourism Nowhere in the world can you find a Malay mosque, an Indian Muslim 1 Named after the Indian Kapitan Caudeer Mohuddeen who commissioned the building, the Kapitan Keling mosque, a Taoist temple, a Hindu temple, a Protestant church, and Mosque is George Town’s largest historic mosque. The mosque is famous for its iconic British Moghul a Catholic church all along the same street. Aptly dubbed “Harmony Revival-style architecture, featuring grandiose Mughal domes, turrets and the imposing minaret that soars Street”, this social wonder symbolises the diverse people of Malaysia above the streets below. that live united and worship side by side. 2 This 18th century temple is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang. Intricate sculptures and carvings adorn its roofs and the main altar, where scowling stone dragons encircle its columns. 1. Kapitan Keling Mosque 3 St George’s Church was the firstA nglican church established in Malaysia, and received its name from the © Penang Global Tourism patron saint of England.