Penang is a beautiful place to visit in Malaysia. It is becoming a popular travel destination in Malaysia. Its colonial architecture and its role in World War II has earned its significance. It has formal botanical gardens and dense tropical jungles.
Due in part to its coastal urban communities known as clan jetties, portions of George Town have also been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
See our list of the best things to do in Penang and its tourist attractions if you're at a loss for things to do when you get to Malaysia.
The Habitat Penang Hill
Experience the rainforest up close and personal at Habitat Penang Hill. It winds through an old forest, over undulating hills, and goes high above the Andaman Sea, all of which you can view from many overlooks along the way.
The 230-meter Langur Way Canopy Walk, which arcs softly over and around the trees at a height of 15 meters, offers guests an even more breathtaking perspective of the surroundings. Alternatively, kids may venture onto the ziplines to get a close-up look at the forest.
Clan Jetties, George Town
One of Penang's most important historical sites is the Clan Jetties, a traditional town with buildings and homes perched directly over the river.
Chinese immigrants developed clan jetties, a highly distinctive kind of water habitation, in the late 19th century. Originally, they consisted of a single building that served as a makeshift warehouse for the loading and unloading of goods and supplies (such as firewood, charcoal, and boat transportation) for a certain industry or trade.
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
Over 15,000 free-flying butterflies reside at Entopia, Penang's brand-new butterfly farm, a vast glass conservatory with waterfalls, lush tropical vegetation, and artificially recreated natural characteristics.
There are several opportunities to watch butterflies in their natural habitat along the trails that go through the greenhouse.
Historical Streets of George Town
Panang's capital city is George Town. It is a magnificent fusion. This is of Asian and European styles. The city has expanded into a thriving port town. It has been a popular tourist attraction. This is during the previous five centuries. But it has managed to preserve the distinctive history. This earned it recognition. This is as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
Fort Cornwallis
The biggest fort in the nation is also Penang's most well-known monument. It is one of the major tourist attractions sites in Penang. There are enough buildings remaining beyond the original 1786 bastion's single outer wall with guns to give you an indication of the enormous scale of the ancient fort.
Explore the well-kept green lawn, which includes a chapel, a storage room that was formerly used to hold munitions, and the ruins of jail cells. Upon entering through the gate, guests are greeted by a bronze statue of Captain Francis Light, the man who originally gave the order to erect the fort.
Penang War Museum, Bukit Batu Maung
Located in Penang, this 20-acre outdoor living military museum was formerly a British fort and gun armoury from the 1930s. Throughout World War II, the fort sustained severe structural damage and was unable to repel the Japanese army's invasion. After being rebuilt, it currently houses the biggest military museum in Southeast Asia and serves as a monument to the many men who perished during the occupation.
Ammunition bunkers, pillboxes (concrete posts or small fortifications used to hide when firing at the enemy), a communications centre, and escape tunnels that lead directly to the spot where the submarines once stood in wait are among the main attractions of the museum.
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Featuring over 100 vendors and a plenty of charm, this enormous night market is open until midnight every day and is the ideal location to purchase traditional gifts like lacquer plates, exquisite paper lanterns, and batik prints. Along with other minor finds, there's a good possibility of finding replicas of well-known clothing, watch, and pocketbook brands.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si is the oldest and biggest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It is adorned with more than 10,000 Buddha sculptures. It has a seven-tiered pagoda. It is a 37-meter-tall bronze sculpture of Kuan Yin. She is the Buddhist Goddess of mercy. There are one hundred smaller and two-meter-tall sculptures of the Goddess. This is around the main monument. This is the highest figure of Kuan Yin in the world. The temple draws Buddhists from all across Southeast Asia and is regarded as a major pilgrimage site.
Reached after a difficult trek up a stone stairway and a three-kilometre journey from the top of Penang Hill, the temple spans an area of over 12 hectares. The route is lined with vibrant prayer halls, exquisitely landscaped gardens, fish and turtle ponds, and numerous lanterns. The lights are especially breathtaking in the month after Chinese New Year when they are illuminated for four weeks straight into the night.
Penang National Park
At barely 23 square kilometres, Penang National Park is among the smallest in the world, but despite this, it is home to over 400 different plant species spread over five diverse ecosystems. This area has a lengthy stretch of seacoast with wood trees bordering the white, powdery sand and coastal ecosystem, in addition to forests and mangroves.
A difficult hike up a hill at the end of Monkey Beach leads to the Muka Head lighthouse, one of the park's many iconic features. Other pathways go through the forest and along the beach.
Penang Hill Funicular, Bukit Bendera
The Penang Hill Railway was built in 1923. It had a major renovation in 2010. It climbs Penang Hill and provides stunning views of the city. Although the initial ascent took around half an hour, it currently takes five to twenty-five minutes—the quickest if there are no pauses and the longest if the cable car makes stops at the halfway stations (only upon request) en route to the summit. The wooden carriages with first- and second-class seats are now gone.
Documents Required & Visa Process
Required Documents for an Online Malaysian Visa:
Scanned copies of your passport's first and last pages
Scanned image of a current colour photo. (Specification of the Photo)
Refundable airline ticket confirmation
Hotel reservation
Letter of invitation (if travelling to see relatives or friends)
Birth certificate for minors (those under the age of 14)
Please take note that the government is quite demanding about the required images. If you want your Malaysia tourist visa application to be approved, make sure your photos meet the requirements.
Documents Required for a Malaysian Sticker Visa:
Original passport plus any previous passports, if any, with a minimum of three blank pages and a minimum validity of six months
Application for a Visa
Two current colour photos (3.5 cm by 5 cm, 60 to 70% of the face visible on a white backdrop)
Personal cover letter (on plain paper for employed people or on self-employed people's letterhead)
Original, updated bank statements from the previous six months that show a sufficient amount in the bank
Letter of sponsorship (if coming from a spouse, parent, etc.)
If visiting relatives or friends in Malaysia, an invitation letter and proof of address from the inviter is required for an Indian visitor's visa to Malaysia. For a business visa, an invitation letter from the host firm in Malaysia and a cover letter from the Indian company are required.
Please take note that the government is rather stringent about the required number of images. Make sure your photos meet the requirements.
Importance of Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance is a necessary safety precaution. Every Indian traveller must also do this. This is for a trip to Penang. It is possible for unexpected things to happen. This covers plane delays and medical emergencies. Lost baggage is also included in it. A fantastic vacation might turn into a nightmare as a result. International Travel insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection in these circumstances.
This will be accomplished by covering hospital bills and travel disruptions. It also pays for any unanticipated costs. It's important to purchase adequate travel insurance for Malaysia. This is to prevent unpredictably high medical costs. This is especially true given Penang's high cost of healthcare.
Conclusion
Penang is an excellent location to visit. A detailed itinerary is essential. This aids in sufficiently exploring the area. This is in order for you to not overlook anything. It is also crucial to have comprehensive travel insurance. Ensure that you reserve one when you make your travel plans.
