In Penang, George Town is Malaysia’s second-largest metropolitan area and has become one of the island’s most popular destinations in recent years. Not only can you experience a diverse, blended mix of ethnic cultures, there are also countless dishes to try.
Alongside the city’s glamorous skyscrapers, turn the other way and you’ll find historic buildings with plenty of stories to tell.
Streetscapes where old and new meet, paired with a multi-ethnic culture, are one of the defining features of Penang, Malaysia.
Another big plus of traveling in Malaysia: there’s a sizable ethnic Chinese community, so Mandarin and Hokkien will both get you by!
Penang travel 101 — why visit Malaysia?
Besides being close by and having no time difference, Malaysia is a great destination because local prices are very affordable — you can eat well and shop to your heart’s content!
Malays make up the largest share of the population, followed by ethnic Chinese, whose ancestors mostly emigrated from Fujian or Guangdong. There is also a large Indian community, and because the former British colonial government encouraged new immigrants, Malaysia became the multi-ethnic society it is today. In Malaysia you can experience Hokkien, Indian, Malay and British influences in the culture, food and blended architecture.
Among island destinations Taiwanese travelers visit most often, Xiaoliuqiu and Okinawa top the list. Below is our rough cost comparison of trips to Malaysia, Xiaoliuqiu and Okinawa.
| Malaysia | Xiaoliuqiu | Okinawa | |
| Getting there
Transportation | NT$5,000/person (airfare) | NT$4,000/person (bus + ferry tickets) | NT$7,000/person (airfare) |
| Accommodation | NT$1,000/night | NT$3,000/night | NT$2,000/night |
| On the ground
Car rental | NT$1,000/vehicle | NT$300/vehicle (scooter) | NT$1,500/vehicle |
The figures above cover round-trip airfare, accommodation per night and a local rental car. For just a little more than a trip to Xiaoliuqiu, you can travel in Malaysia and experience a range of cultures plus endless food! It really is a great-value destination that’s well worth a visit right now.
Penang travel: culture and society
Ethnic Chinese make up the largest share of Penang’s population, but in this multi-ethnic society every community lives according to its own ways and culture, accommodating and accepting one another.
So as you get to know these different cultures on your trip, remember to respect each culture’s and religion’s customs!
A quick heads-up! Most Malays are Muslim and therefore don’t eat pork. They pray five times a day, and you’ll find prayer rooms in many public places. Malaysian Indians, meanwhile, are mostly Hindu and don’t eat beef.
Penang travel: must-see attractions
George Town in Penang was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and was once ranked fourth by Forbes among the world’s top ten budget-friendly destinations. Penang has also been voted the best food city in the world.
Kids on Bicycle
Penang’s streets are full of street art and stunning murals that have won fans worldwide. The most famous is “Kids on Bicycle,” which even has a real bicycle propped against the wall. It’s a hugely popular photo spot, so be ready to line up for your shot!
Address: Lebuh Armenian George Town 10200 George Town Pulau Pinang
Street Art in George Town
This photo of Street Art in George Town is provided free of charge by TripAdvisor
Besides the many murals created by artists, George Town’s streets are also dotted with wrought-iron artworks that tell little stories of ordinary city life in a cartoon style. There are plenty of design-focused boutique hotels nearby, too — a big hit with backpackers!
Address: Street Art in, 10300
Chew Jetty
The clan jetties are Penang’s distinctive stilt houses built over the water. Historically, each jetty was home to families sharing a surname, and the longest stretches 500 meters out to sea. You can see what life is like for these waterfront communities, and every year a grand Jade Emperor’s birthday ceremony is held here.
Address: 9A, Chew Jetty, George Town, Penang Island 10300, Malaysia
St. George’s Church
This is the oldest Anglican church in Malaysia. Built during the British colonial period, it has been designated a national treasure by the Malaysian government. The church features marble floors and a tall steeple, and the domed pavilion out front commemorates Captain Francis Light, the first Briton to arrive in Penang.
Address: St. George’s Church, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Penang
Phone: +60-4-262-0202
Kapitan Keling Mosque
Built in 1801 by Indian Muslim merchants, this is the oldest and largest mosque in Penang.
It was originally a square building with a veranda and a pitched roof, and was later expanded. In 1926, an architect commissioned with donations from Muslim and Hindu communities gave it its Moorish architectural character.
Address: Kapitan Keling Mosque, Jalan Kapitan Keling, 10450 Pulau Pinang, Penang
Phone: +60-4-262-0202
Penang food
Char kway teow
“Kway teow” refers to a type of flat rice noodle. Char kway teow was once mainly eaten by laborers, farmers and fishermen, but today it’s one of Malaysians’ best-loved dishes. The noodles are stir-fried over high heat with soy sauce, chili, white shrimp, clams, bean sprouts, chives and egg, then served on a banana leaf or a plate.
Hokkien prawn mee
The broth of Hokkien prawn mee is simmered from prawn shells and red chilies, served with chewy yellow noodles or rice vermicelli that soaks up the soup, and topped with crispy fried shallots, bean sprouts and a boiled egg. Perfect for working up a good sweat on a hot day.
Bak kut teh and yam rice
In Malaysia, bak kut teh is a classic breakfast dish: a rich broth of Chinese herbs, spices and pork ribs simmered for hours, with a subtle sweetness beneath the spice.
Locals usually pair it with “yam rice,” similar to Taiwanese savory glutinous rice, fragrant with soy sauce, fried shallots and taro.
Nasi lemak
As the name suggests, nasi lemak is rice soaked in coconut milk and then cooked with pandan leaves, served with chili sauce or sambal. It’s usually sold wrapped in newspaper, greaseproof paper or a banana leaf.
Hainanese chicken rice
Hainanese chicken rice is a dish of chicken served with fragrant rice. It originated in Hainan and spread throughout Southeast Asia with waves of immigration in the early 20th century.
Rojak
Rojak is a fruit and vegetable salad commonly found in Malaysia. It combines all kinds of vegetables and fruit with a distinctive sweet-and-sour sauce. In Malay, “rojak” means “mixture,” and it’s also used colloquially to describe an eclectic mix, especially the multicultural character of Malaysian and Singaporean society.
We know Penang’s food scene is endlessly varied, so we especially recommend the Penang travel diary by blogger Stila to see how an expert eats their way through the city. Click here for more Penang food
Getting around Penang
Penang doesn’t have a metro system yet, so locals still get around mainly by car. In the city center, you can also take the local buses instead of driving.
For travelers, though, there are no buses near the airport once you clear customs, so most people either take a Grab (ride-hailing app) into the city or rent a car and drive themselves for the whole trip.
Grab (ride-hailing app)
Grab is already a very convenient way to get around Malaysia. There are plenty of drivers online, so it’s easy to use whether you’re heading from the airport into the city or moving around town. After you request a ride, a car usually arrives within 3–5 minutes!
Self-drive car rental
If you want maximum freedom on your trip, self-driving around Penang is highly recommended. There’s a whole row of car rental companies right after you clear customs, but Penang gets a lot of visitors, so they’re often sold out when you walk up. If you plan to rent a car, be sure to book online in advance!
➜ Click here for more Penang car rental prices
For more on getting around Penang, we also recommend the guide by Penang expert blogger Hainan Chicken
➜ Click here for more about getting around Penang
Where to stay in Penang
Cozy guesthouses
In the city center there are guesthouses that look like ordinary homes from the outside. Step inside, though, and you’ll find a whole different world: cozy decor with a touch of Chinese style that makes you feel right at home after a day of traveling!
Apartment hotels
Apartment hotels like this one have a kitchen and laundry facilities right in the room. The shared spaces are pretty luxurious too, with a three-story infinity pool, a gym and an upscale communal dining area. A hotel like this might cost over NT$10,000 a night in Taiwan, but in Penang you can enjoy it for around NT$1,000 and up!
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This article was translated by AI from the original Chinese version.
