Penang -

Penang

These are some of the news about people being attracted to Penang. Penang has a great variety of food, from hawkers' fare to fine dining. There are restaurants for Indian style cooking, western food and Malay & Chinese favourites. You can find food everywhere in town and the beach areas. In fact you can gorge yourself till the early morning hours.

Other than food attraction, Penang has a relaxed atmosphere. Take it easy by the beach. One can laze by the beach or walk around the beach areas. There are many hotels and shops here. Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is worth exploring especially the heritage sites & buildings (see photos at end of page). Walking around the town centre is very enjoyable with so much to see, to discover, shop and to eat.

one of Penang's food centre

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The 64 storey KOMTAR Tower can be seen from far as one approaches by ferry from the mainland. The approximately 20 minutes ride by ferry from Butterworth, the mainland, is interesting and is an attraction for visitors coming by car or other land transport.
The KOMTAR Tower is in the middle of Georgetown. In it are shops and restaurants. It is now undergoing some changes to become one of THE places to go to.
2.08.09

Below, ferries linking Penang island and the mainland - an alternative to driving across the bridge. These ferries ply between Butterworth

and Penang island from morning to midnight. Some carry vehicles and others carry foot passengers.

cars in rows in the ferry

**** Penang's waterfront ****

The waterfront is near to the ferry dropoff point and also within walking distance to the city's commercial centre. Note the clock tower. That is the commercial/financial centre.

The old waterfront. The pier was built in 1897.
                                   Now it is no more in use as a pier but house a
                                   restaurant.

Gurney Drive

the shopping complex

the sea in front of Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive - the place to relax, take a walk or jog along this stretch of sea front. If you have the urge for cool comfort and to shop, just cross the road to the shopping complex. Need a bite, the hawker stalls are nearby. This place attracts not only tourists but the locals as well.

The Esplanade - before we have the Gurney Drive

The front is the sea. The back is a big field for recreation and other events. Further back is the commercial/financial centre.

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Fort Cornwallis, situated in the esplanade facing the sea, is the place where Francis Light landed in 1786. It is now a tourist attraction. Cultural events/celebrations are also being held here.

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Chew jetty is unique and has attracted many visitors, overseas & locals. From the plague on the left, it was established in mid-19th century. The people here built their houses on wooden stilts out into the sea. They use plank covered walkway to move about.