A Journey Through Penang: Nature, Culture, and Gastronomy Await
Penang, Malaysia, is a small island located in the north of peninsula Malaysia; it is a relaxing and fun destination for holidays, with George Town being the capital. Penang is like Malaysia, a combination of Chinese, Malay and Indian citizens that blend to form a unique culture.
The narrative unfolds as Chin Liang, a GoNOMAD senior writer, guides us through his home, the island of Penang, Malaysia, a locale that, despite its small size, boasts an impressive array of cultural and natural riches.
He emphasizes the necessity of allocating a minimum of three days to fully appreciate the myriad experiences that Penang presents. The capital, George Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era, with its well-preserved pre-war architecture reflecting a confluence of Malay, Chinese, and Hindu influences, all intertwined with British colonial charm.
The vibrant street art, including the iconic mural ‘Children on a Bicycle’ by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zakovobek, serves as a testament to the island’s artistic spirit, where every alley and street corner narrates a story steeped in history.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Penang National Park, a compact yet ecologically diverse area that features two distinct trails leading to Monkey Beach and a unique meromictic lake. The latter, with its stratified water layers, presents a rare ecological phenomenon.
Visitors can take guided tours at the Penang Turtle Sanctuary, which fosters awareness about marine conservation. Chin also extols the virtues of Penang Hill, accessible via a swift funicular ride, or for the more adventurous, a scenic hike along the Heritage Trail, where one may encounter diverse wildlife, including flying lemurs and various avian species.
Culinary exploration is an intrinsic aspect of any sojourn in Penang. From the celebrated Assam Laksa to the rich and tangy Kari Kapitan, the dishes are emblematic of the Peranakan culture born from the intermingling of Chinese immigrants and local Malays.
The local food scene is punctuated by several Michelin-starred establishments, ensuring that gastronomes will find themselves in a culinary paradise.
Read more about Penang on GoNOMAD.com. https://www.gonomad.com/226551-thaipusam-festival-in-penang-malaysia
Transcript
Today on Go Nomad, we join senior writer Chin Liang as he takes us around the island city where he lives, Penang in Malaysia.
Speaker A:On the map, Penang looks like a tiny dot off the northern coast of Malaysia, but you'd be surprised just how much this little island has to offer.
Speaker A:We're talking about UNESCO heritage sites, outdoor destinations, unique cultures and even Michelin starred food.
Speaker A:Chin recommends spending at least three full days in Penang.
Speaker A:Georgetown is the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Speaker A:Seeing those well preserved pre war buildings with a mix of Malay, Chinese and Hindu influences, all wrapped up in the charm of British colonial architecture, feels like you're traveling back in time.
Speaker A:Murals and street art are everywhere.
Speaker A:The most famous mural is Children on a Bicycle painted by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zakovobek.
Speaker A:Pretty much every street in Alley has a story to tell on well placed signs.
Speaker A:For example, Armenian street was once the home to early Armenian merchants before it was taken over by the Chinese and Malay secret societies.
Speaker A:Chu Jetty is one of those waterfront villages where early Chinese clans built their homes on wooden stilts over the ocean.
Speaker A:Qin recommends visiting in the late afternoon when you can sit on the wooden stilts, swing your legs over the sea and have a little picnic while watching the water turn golden in the sunset.
Speaker A:You can hop on a free bus that loops around the old town.
Speaker A:Yeah, you heard that right, it's free.
Speaker A:Stay on this bus as long as you want until you decide to get off at a point that interests you.
Speaker A:Or you can rent a bike through Link Bike, the public bike sharing system in Penang, and you can pedal around and feel the charm of the old town, join a food tour or even take a cooking class with a local chef.
Speaker A:For instance, you can learn how to cook Assam Laksa, a famous spicy, tangy fish noodle soup.
Speaker A:By the way, did you know that Assam Laksa is one of the world's 50th best foods?
Speaker A:By CNN Travel Penang national park is about 13 miles from Georgetown.
Speaker A:Just 23 square kilometers is pretty small for a national park.
Speaker A:The park has two main trails.
Speaker A:house built by the British in:Speaker A:The other takes you to the meromictic lake.
Speaker A:This lake has two separate layers, fresh water and saltwater that don't mix because of their different densities and temperatures.
Speaker A:Keep going past the lake and you'll come to the Penang Turtle Sanctuary.
Speaker A:Head inside and the friendly staff will guide you through the process of incubating turtle eggs and caring for baby turtles until they are ready to be released back into the ocean.
Speaker A:Chin suggests getting an early start as the intense heat and humidity can get to you by noon.
Speaker A:Penn Hill is another highlight you don't want to miss.
Speaker A:Back in the late 18th century, the hill was a retreat for British colonial officers to cool off from the tropical heat.
Speaker A:Nowadays, people take the funicular and reach the hilltop in about five minutes.
Speaker A:Gin suggests that if you're feeling adventurous, you should try hiking up the Heritage Trail takes about two to three hours depending on how fast you go.
Speaker A:As you hike, keep an eye out for wildlife like flying lemurs, monkeys and oh.
Speaker A:If you're a bird lover, bring binoculars and you'll find a big variety of birds.
Speaker A:While you're on the hill, don't miss the habitat.
Speaker A:It's an echo park with a canopy walk and treetop bridges that give you an amazing bird's eye view of 130 million year old rainforest.
Speaker A:You can even sign up for a forest bathing session to help you unwind.
Speaker A:According to Chin, the best time to visit Penang is from late January to February.
Speaker A:During these festive months, Penang lights up with Lunar New Year decorations and the Grand Thaipusam celebrations.
Speaker A:You will see pilgrims piercing their bodies with hooks and needles, music blasting and parades in honor of the Hindu God.
Speaker A:If you love good food, Penang is the place for you.
Speaker A:Make sure you try some of the amazing Pericanakan cuisine.
Speaker A:Pericanakan means the descendants of Chinese immigrants who intermarried with local Malays.
Speaker A:Among their classics are Curry Capitan, a rich, tangy currant chicken curry with coconut spices and lime.
Speaker A:Kew is a variety of desserts made with ingredients like rice flour, glutinous rice and coconut milk.
Speaker A:Char Khao Chow is the famous stir fried noodle mixed with prawns, bean sprouts and chives that Penang locals are incredibly proud of.
Speaker A:Don't even try to convince them that Char Kwao to is better elsewhere.
Speaker A:Many restaurants and even street food stalls here are Michelin rated, so you can't go wrong when it comes to eating in Penang.
Speaker A:Penang is like its food.
Speaker A:Once you have had the first taste, you'll keep coming back for more, says Chin.
Speaker A:Life on the island is so relaxing and slow that many people say they have a hard time going back to their fast paced routines after one visit to Penang.
Speaker A:Read more about Penang on gonomad.
Speaker A:Com.