Penang, often called the pearl of the Orient, is one of the most scenic and beautiful places of the continent. Located on the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Penang received its name from "Betel nut tree", which grows in these places. In 1786 the British built their first fort here.
Now in Penang are Western and Eastern cultures. State of Penang is actually consists from the island and the mainland coastal strip known as a province Uelesli or Seberang Pry. Two parts of the state are connected by a bridge length of 13.5 kilometers, the longest in Asia. Ferry services are organized too.
At the island is located the capital of the state - Georgetown . It is a wonderful city in which the intertwined history and modern life. Some areas of Penang remind pictures of the past - with its narrow streets, rickshaws, temples, traders, offering a variety of goods. Incidentally, the island is a paradise for bargain. Among the items you'll find electronics, clothing, shoes, souvenirs, handicrafts and trinkets. Penang is famous for its amazing cuisine which offers meals such as Nasi Kandar.
Penang is the industrial and commercial, agricultural and tourist state of Malaysia which High-tech industries have received here growth in recent years. Penang is called an analog of Silicon Valley because of the numerous plants on the island of the electronics industry, owned by international companies. In 1997, the share of electronics and manufacturing industries in the state's GDP was 53% and 42%. The tourist business is also flourishing on the island . At Penang are cultivated rice, rubber, fruits, oil, and palm trees. Agricultural land occupied by 55 thousand hectares. On the island is located deep-water port that connects Malaysia with more than 200 ports around the world. This is the main transit point in the triangle: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand.
Penang is the main center of business forums in Asia.
Penang Sports Complex (PISA) is one of the largest in the region. At its arenas can be carried out competitions in various sports.
History
Englishman Francis Light founded a fortress at Penang in 1786. Light received the island from the Sultan of Kedah in return for a promise not to allow in Penang Siamese. When the British came to the island, it was sparsely populated. Some believe that the Light shooting gold in the surroundings in order to spur people to cut down the jungle.
Light renamed the island of Penang in the Prince of Wales Island, since the land was a gift to the birthday of a member of the royal family. Soon Light founded the city of Georgetown and bought a strip of land on the mainland called Province Uelesli. After the founding of Georgetown, Light announced its free trade zone. In addition, he attracted settlers that gave them as much land as they were able to clear the jungle. At the beginning of XIX century, the population of the island was about 10 thousand people.
In 1805, Penang fell into the dependence of Bengal. Soon there was placed administration on the type of one that existed in Bombay and Madras. In 1826 there were at Penang and Melaka Authority of Singapore. In 1816 there was opened the first English school in Southeast Asia.
What to see?
Georgetown
Georgetown is located on the north-east of the island, it is amazing city. It survived the Chinese spirit in everything from architecture and ending with the tradition. Georgetown is a compact city that can easily get around on foot cross a rickshaw.
The old part is located near Fort Kornvelis. Financial center Lebuh Pantai is the main street. Many modern offices are located in old, restored buildings of the colonial era. The main shopping center is Jalan Penang. Hotels, restaurants and cafes are concentrated on Lebuh Chulia. It is recommended to make a walk around town with a visit to the many temples in Chinatown.
Chinatown
This old part of Penang in the heart of Georgetown is different indescribable bustle, especially during the holidays. There are numerous stores and shops, Indian and Chinese temples, mosques, vegetable markets and night bazaars. Very interesting to take a tour of Chinatown on a rickshaw. For your information: modern air-conditioned stores mainly located in the streets of Jalan Penang and Jalan Campbell, shops at Lebuh Chulia. Crafts and antiques can be purchased at Lebuh Farquhar.
Fort Kornvelis
Fort Kornvelis is in a place where Francis Light first landed in Penang in 1786. Hence it is best to start the tourist route to explore the main attractions of the island. At first it was a wooden fortress, which in the years 1808-1810 has been replaced by stone buildings. On the bastions there are several old Dutch guns that were seized by pirates, but later repulsed by the British. The biggest gun Seri Ramban, made in 1603. In the beginning it belonged to the Sultan of Johor, then got in Aceh, further to the pirates, and only after that was installed in Penang. Some believe in its "hereditary power". For this reason, local women are often given to the gun flowers. Just below the tools is a small museum, which collects artifacts telling the story of the fort and the island of Penang. Near the fort, is a park, which has gift shops and numerous cafes.
Church of Saint George
To the east of the fort on the street Kornvelis Lebuh Farquhar is the oldest Anglican church in Malaysia. The building impresses with its magnificent architecture, marble floors and a tall steeple. The church was built in 1818 by convicts. At the entrance there is a memorial canopy in memory of Francis Light's date of entry to Penang.
Museum and gallery are located near the fort on the street Lebuh Farquhar. They were built in 1821 as a school. At the entrance to the statue of Francis Light. During the Second World War the Japanese removed the monument. But after the war statue restored, removing a Light's saber. A small museum has a good collection of old photographs, maps, furniture, clothing. Part of the exhibition devoted to the first Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman and stories Penang. On the open area demonstrates trailer funicular to Mount Penang.
Temple Mis Mariamman
Near the Museum of Penang, on the street is Queen Street was built in 1883, Sri Mariamman Temple. Ornate, full of various Indian deities. Here is a statue of Lord Sibramaniama made of silver, gold, diamonds and emeralds. Believers usually carry it at the head of the column during the celebration Thaipusama usually fall at the end of January. The temple is open from early morning until late evening. Permission to visit gives the administration of the temple.
Kcu Kongai
Kongai is the part of the religion preached by part of the Chinese population of Penang. Khoo temple is one of the oldest on the island. The building, known as the Mountain Dragon is beautifully decorated. Its construction was carried out from 1853 until 1898. Temple became very attractive. According to the legend on completion, the roof is on fire, allegedly from the envy of the palace of the emperor. Kuala Lumpuran Khoo considered it as a message to the gods to rebuild in a less grandiose style.
Temple of Kuan in Tenge
The first Chinese settlers in Penang in 1800, built the temple of Kuan Ying Teng, which is practically in the heart of Georgetown on the street Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling. Being the oldest temple of the island, the temple attracts thousands of believers in the birthday of the goddess of Mercy, which is celebrated three times a year on day 14 is the third, sixth and ninth month of the Chinese calendar. During the prayers, they burn the Chinese sticks, paper money in honor of the goddess and god of prosperity. In the evenings around the church is arranged a theatrical performance.
Mosque of Captain Keling
The first Muslim immigrants from India have built this mosque, located on the corner of Lebuh Masjid Captain Keling and Lebuh Buckingham. Mosque is yellow colored and has a single minaret.
Mosque on the Achin Street
Near the temple Khu Kongai, is a mosque on the street Achin Street, ehich was built in 1920 by Arab traders. The mosque is often gather the Malay and Arab traders. In its area lives compactly Malay part of the population of Georgetown. Unlike other mosques with minarets in the Moorish style, the building has an Egyptian minaret.
State Mosque
The biggest mosque of the island that can accommodate up to 5,000 believers, is located on Jalan Masjid Negeri. When visiting a mosque should be dressed according to Islamic canons.
Temple Dharmikarama Burmis
The entrance to the temple, is located on the street Lorong Burmis and guarded by two elephant. Next to the temple is pagoda Bodhi tree and the wishes well.
Ramle House
At the Jalan P. Ramli street is located the house-museum of the most popular Malay actor P. Ramli. The museum has numerous exhibits on the life and work of actor, as well as telling about the development of the national film industry. The house was built in 1826 by father and uncle of the actor.
Kampung Seronok
Kampung Seronok in Batu Maung is a Museum area, which tells about the life of Malay villages. Visitors can easily walk the streets and get acquainted with everyday life and the village way of life of local residents, as you will be offered to participate in the cultural program.
Mountain Penang
From the mountain of Penang (Bukit Bendera, mountain-flag) in height 830 meter above sea level, offering a panoramic view of the island and Georgetown. The air here is fresh and cool.
Still operates the oldest in Asia, a cable car, built by Swiss project in 1923. Journey to the top takes 30 minutes, during which visitors can admire the surrounding scenery. Getting Started funicular at 6.30 with a 30-minute intervals.
At the top of a mountain hotel Craig is located , which was built in 1890 by brothers Sarkes. Now the building is placed, the Labour Department. However, on top of a small works Beliveau hotel with a restaurant and a park. On the mountain are also hiking trails and a private road.
Botanical Garden
At 600 meters from the the mountain Penang and about 8 kilometers from the capital, in an area of 30 hectares is located the botanical garden. Its age is about 100 years. Here are the unique examples of flora and fauna of the island. During the tour you will be accompanied by the noise of the nearby waterfall, and cries of monkeys living in the garden.
Temple of the Serpent
The temple, is located at 14 km of the road Bayan Lepas in the direction of the airport, built in 1850 in honor of a Buddhist monk - the healer Chor Soo Kong. In the church maintains an atmosphere of mystery: there are live cobras and burning fire.
Kek Lok Si
Temple in Air Itam is the largest and most beautiful in Southeast Asia. Thirty-meter high pagoda combines a Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture. The octagonal base is the Chinese, the middle part is Thai, and the top is Burmese
Butterfly Factory
The factory, located at Teluk Bahang, contains unique and best in the world exposition of butterflies and other insects, consisting of more than 400 samples. In addition, the territory under the net are fluttering from 4 to 5 thousand live insects. There is also a gift shop and information center. Territory is well equipped: artificial waterfalls, lily pond, stone gardens.
Beaches
The most famous beaches of Penang are located on the northern part of the island in Tanjung Bunga, Batu Feringa, Teluk Bahang These places are extremely popular among tourists. There is a large number of hotels, restaurants and shops. Beach Pasir Pandzhang at the south-west of Penang is another popular spot on the map of the island Less frequented beaches are Teluk Duyong, Monkey Beach, Pantai Kerasut, Pantano Mae, which can be reached from Teluk Bahang.
If we follow the north-west to the beaches of Teluk Bahang towards Balik Pulau, we will pay attention to the beautiful fruit and nuts durian plantation at the foot of the hills. It is also the village, built in pure Malay style.
Dam Mengkuang
Built in a valley north of Mengkuang Bukit Mertadzham this is the biggest dam in Penang, which contains 23 billion gallons of water The space around it planted with gardens It offers different attractions However, to access the dam it is necessary to obtain special permission from the security services.
Parks
Park Teluk Bahang is planted with various trees, shrubs and flowers At the the park live lizards, butterflies, birds, snakes There is also a museum of the forest with a unique exhibition.
Park Bukit Mertadzham, stretched out to 18 km from Butterworth ferry terminal, at an altitude of 457 m above sea level, covers about 37 hectares. The air here is cool and clean. Dominated by conifers. During walks through the park you will see very beautiful butterflies, birds and insects.
Bird Park in Penang. Approximately 12 kilometers to the east of the ferry Seberang Praia on five acres of pitch Bird Park in Seberang Jaya This is the first such park, built in Malaysia It is home to over 800 types of birds In its territory are built artificial islands, gardens, comfortable fit of orchids and hibiscus.
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