"In general, the cost of traveling to Penang is quite cheap, the food here is close to Vietnamese taste, and it is convenient to travel to tourist attractions. So many people choose to go to Penang to explore many cultural destinations here," Travel Blogger IAMKOO Hoang Anh shared with Travellive.
Follow IAMKOO Hoang Anh to explore 6 attractive destinations in Penang.
Travel Blogger IAMKOO Hoang Anh in George Town, Penang.
1. George Town Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
George Town Old Town is the historic center of George Town, the capital of Penang, Malaysia. This area was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2008.
George Town has many architectural works that are a fusion of Asia and Europe.
George Town is a melting pot of many different cultures, including Chinese, Indian, Malay and European. Due to the intermingling of different ethnicities and religions that have come to the shores of this area, George Town has a large number of architectural structures that are an eclectic mix of colonial and Asian architectural styles.
The old houses in George Town all have their own special features.
"This is a fairly large neighborhood, and the attractions in this area are quite far apart, so the best way to get between them is to ride a bike or book a Grab," Travel Blogger IAMKOO Hoang Anh noted.
2. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, an ancient villa built in the 19th century
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as The Blue Mansion, is an architectural icon in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. This old house was built in the late 19th century and belonged to Cheong Fatt Tze, a famous and wealthy Chinese-Malaysian businessman.
Exterior view of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion).
The house is famous for its blue color and is designed in a mix of Eastern and Western architectural styles, combining traditional Chinese elements with European knowledge and art. It is an excellent example of diverse American architecture in Malaysia and a popular tourist destination in the region.
Every corner of the house can become a background for beautiful pictures.
IAMKOO Hoang Anh shared: "Currently, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion has been converted into a hotel and restaurant, where visitors can experience living in a beautiful old house and learn about the history and culture of this area. It is also known as a tourist destination with organized tours to introduce the Cheong Fatt Tze family and the story behind this house."
Admission fee: Adults (RM17), children from 6 to 12 years old (RM12), free for children under 6 years old. Ticket price includes a 45-minute tour guide.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00.
3. Khoo Kongsi Assembly Hall, the largest assembly hall in Penang
This assembly hall was built in 1808 by the Khoo family, a wealthy and powerful family in Penang. This assembly hall is a place of worship for the Khoo family's ancestors, and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Penang.
This assembly hall is the place of worship of the Khoo family's ancestors.
Khoo Kongsi is located in the heart of George Town, near the old town. The assembly hall is built in traditional Chinese architectural style, with red tiled roofs, wooden pillars and intricately carved statues. "Khoo Kongsi is a great destination to learn about the culture and history of the Chinese in Penang," he said.
4. Armenian Street, a small street with many shops selling antiques and souvenirs
Armenian Street was established in the 19th century by the Armenians, a minority community in Penang. The street was once the center of the Armenian community in Penang, and is home to many Armenian churches, schools and businesses.
Armenian Street was once a center with many Armenian churches, schools and businesses.
Today, Armenian Street is a vibrant and bustling area, a hub of cultural, artistic and commercial activity. The street is lined with shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, street food and artwork.
This is a place that sells a lot of antiques and souvenirs.
"This street is located in the center of George Town, near the old town. To visit Armenian Street, you can walk, ride a bicycle or rent a tuk-tuk," IAMKOO Hoang Anh suggested.
5. Penang Hill, the hill with a great view of the city
Penang Hill, also known as Bukit Bendera, is a popular tourist destination in Pulau Pinang (Penang), Malaysia. This place is not only famous for its wonderful natural beauty but also offers many sightseeing, entertainment and fun activities for visitors.
Penang Hill has many interesting recreational activities.
"The most impressive experience is taking the tram from the city to the top of Penang Hill. Although the distance is short, the scenery on both sides is very beautiful. Or taking the cable car to Kek Lok Si Temple and Sri Mahamariamman Temple are also interesting options," said Hoang Anh.
He added that when you reach Penang Hill, you can experience some games like the tram, the spinning wheel, archery, exploring the butterfly garden... Or simply find a nice cafe, sit and sip while watching the city of Penang in the distance below the hill.
6. Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia
Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Malaysia. It is located on top of Penang Hill and is a famous tourist attraction in Penang. It has many buildings and large Buddha statues, including: Guanyin Bodhisattva, Tianhou, and Three Buddhas.
Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia.
Kek Lok Si Temple was built in 1890 by a Chinese monk, and has been gradually expanded over time. The temple covers an area of about 40 hectares, and is a convergence of many different Buddhist cultures, including China, Thailand and Myanmar.
"The temple space is quite large, it takes about 2-3 hours to go from one area to another. There is a bus to get here but it is very inconvenient, so it is best to book a Grab," IAMKOO Hoang Anh noted.
