Penang is a peninsula 370 km north of Kuala Lumpur, shaped like a tortoise, with a total area of over 1,000 km², adjacent to Malacca Bay. The island’s unique history has formed a rich culture influenced by China, India and the United Kingdom. The rich culture and history of Penang make it one of the most popular destinations in Malaysia. So what’s so exciting about Penang?
Festival in Penang
You can travel to Penang at any time of the year as it is always ready to welcome you to explore, but you will have more fun and exciting experience if you come to Penang right. Festival season this year as:
1. George Town Festival (4 / 8-2 / 10/2018): It takes place in the ancient town of George Town – Arts and Culture Center of Penang in August every year, lasting 1 month or more.
2. Penang Floral Festival (18 / 8-26 / 8/2018): Flower Festival in Penang 2018.
3. Penang Island Jazz Festival (29 / 11-2 / 12/2018): Jazz Festival in Penang 2018, local and international artists will perform at Bayview Beach Resort and other locations around the island.
Other events of the year can be viewed here.
Cuisine in Penang
Known as the “Food of Malaysia”, Penang’s cuisine is influenced by many cultures and ethnicities so it is extremely varied and special, which may take up to a whole day to list all of the humidity. Here are some typical dishes that you should try when coming to Penang: Assam Laksa, Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, Mee Goreng, Hokkien Hae Mee, Oyster omelets, Rojak salad …
George Town
George Town is the capital of Malaysia’s Penang state. The name George Town is named after King George III of the United Kingdom. The city is located in the northeastern corner of Penang Island and has a population of 220,000, including suburbs, with a population of 400,000. The population of the metropolitan area is 1.225 million people.
Penang was founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light, a merchant of the British East India Company with the role of Penang when it was first established as the base of the company in the Malaysian states. He won the island of Penang from the sultan of Kedah and built Fort Cornwallis on the northeast corner of the island. Fort became the commercial development of the island with a population of 1804 up to 12,000.
Due to strict control, Penang now houses many colonial shops that are considered as valuable architectural heritage of Penang. The majority of Penang’s population is ethnic Chinese. At present, due to the loosening of control over the rental of old buildings, many of the buildings in the area have been demolished to make room for the buildings. In Malay, George Town is also called Tanjung.