PULAU PINANG

Pulaupinang (penang)

          Penang, an island rich of Chinese heritage attract a lot of tourist by its sacred temple, preserved forests and beautiful beaches. You can go for countless places to visit in Penang, but make sure you visit below-mentioned ones for sure.

        Georgetown, a beautiful city named after King George lll, is a must visit place in Penang. It is full of fascinating attraction and vibrant history to offer.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Penang :

1.BatuFerringhi Beach

        BatuFerringhi is a popular town in Penang. The reason for its popularity is due to its seaside location. This region is popular for its classic hotels and tourist resorts. Golden Sands Resort and Shangri-La’s Sayang Resort & Spa have supreme facilities for the visitors. The sandy beaches are the main attraction of BatuFerringhi. The tourists can access a number of beach sports and water sports in this region.

          BatuFerringhi Beach is situated in North-east Penang Island. The BatuFerringhi Beach is well known for jet-skiing, parasailing, deep sea fishing and water skiing. The fish spa service in this area is very relaxing. BatuFerringhi Beach has a  wonderful climate that would surely people the visitor’s mind & soul. The perfect time to visit this area is in the evening when all activities are available for the visitors.

      

2.Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

     

      On Penang Hillyou can escape the heat of tropical Georgetown. The hill, also known as Bukit Bendera is 830 meter high (2,750 foot) and it’s much cooler than in the city below. It’s about 3 degrees cooler than the places near the coast. It is a popular by the locals as well as tourists. The station to get to the top is located in Air Itam. At the top of the hill, you will find a tea kiosk, restaurants, souvenir stalls, a mosque, Hindu Temple and the old Bellevue Hotel. The summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of Georgetown, the mainland and Penang Bridge. The best time to visit Penang Hill is early morning, around nine o’clock. Later on there

will more visitors and you have to queue up, before you can get on the train.

3.Fort Cornwallis

          Fort Cornwallis is tagged as the largest standing fort in the region of Penang and even in Malaysia. This fort is basically a star-shaped bastion which which holds superb architecture. Fort Cornwallis was built in 1786 as a defensive structure against the pirates. This fort was rebuilt with bricks and stones to give a stronger foundation. The location of Fort Cornwallis is quite amusing which makes it an attractive tourist spot. The Fort Cornwallis is located on the Northeastern coast of Penang Island, Malaysia.

          The interior of Fort Cornwallis is very unique. A bronze statue of Captain Francis Light is present at the main entrance. One can explore prison cells, storage areas and barracks. There are numerous bronze cannons which are still preserved in the best of forms.

4.Penang War Museum

          Penang War Museum was basically a fort which was built by the British in 1930s. At present, this fort has been transformed into a museum which was opened for the public in 2002. This structure has been tagged as Southeast Asia’s largest war museum. Penang War Museum is also known as MuziumPerangPulau Pinang. The beauty of this place is the presence of historical artifacts like cannons and underground military tunnels. The Penang War Museum is situated in Bukit BatuMaung. The Penang War Museum has ammunition bunkers which are located nine meters below the surface. There are some tunnels which lead to the sea. The tourists can also check out gun emplacements, cookhouses and other interesting

structures.

5. Penang Floating Mosque

          The floating mosque, as it is commonly known as, derives its name from the fact that it is the first mosque to be built directly in the ocean water. Otherwise, it is known as Masjid TerapungPulau Pinang. The mosque was constructed back in the year 2005. The Floating Mosque is located at TanjungBungah in Penang, Malaysia.

          There is nothing peculiar about visiting this mosque except the usual strictness regarding clothing and separate worship area for men and women. Women can avail robes which are available at the mosque to cover themselves as per the rules. As a tourist, there is no restriction at clicking snaps outside the mosque.

6.KapitanKeling Mosque

          The KapitanKeling Mosque was built back in the nineteenth century. It is a prominent Islamic historic centre and a part of the World Heritage site of George Town. It is also the first permanent Muslim instituation that was established in the area. The mosque is situated at the corner of Lebuh Buckingham at the Pitt Street. It lies in the centre of the Tamil Muslim neighbourhood of the city.

          The terms ‘Keling’ and ‘Kapitan’ are representive of the Indian community and its people. The mosque has undergone several enlargement renovations. Geometric designs decorate the façade of the building and the interior aisles are formed of horseshoe arches which are crowned with King Edward’s plagues. The ochre yellow exteriors are in contrast to the white marble floors in the interior.

7.Penang Bird Park

          The Penang Bird Park is the largest bird sanctuary in Malaysia. This park was built in 1998 which is home to over 300 species of birds. One can easily spot tiny exotic sunbirds along with kingfishers in this sanctuary. There are gigantic eight-feet tall ostriches which are also present in this area. The birds are offered an amazing natural habitat which makes Penang Bird Park a perfect enclosure. The Penang Bird Park is located in Seberang Jaya. Tourists can spot mandarin ducks, storks, swans, pelicans and flamingo in there. The whole area has an interesting setup which looks attractive. There are Chinese-style wooden bridges along with natural ponds. Penang Bird Park also has a fine range of plants ranging from lilies, lotus and palm trees.

8.CheongFattTze Mansion

          Cheong FattTze Mansion is a famous indigo-blue Chinese Courtyard House that has become a popular tourist spot. This structure was built in the 19^th century by the famous personality Cheong FattTze. At present, this mansion has been transformed into a royal hotel that consists of 38 rooms, 7 staircases, 5 granite-paved courtyards and 220 windows. Cheong FattTze Mansion is located at Leith Street, Georgetown. In 2000, Cheong FattTze Mansion was acknowledged with the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award. An amount of RM 7.6 million was spent on its restoration. The main attraction of this structure is its architecture. One can easily spot gothic louvre windows, paste decorations shard works and Scottish cast iron works which make the Cheong FattTze Mansion look magical.

9.Penang State Museum & Art Gallery

      The Penang State Museum & Art Gallery greets its visitors with a regal bronze statue of Captain Francis Light who was the founder of the Penang Straits Settlement. It is touted to be one of the most reputed and famous state museums in the country. The Penang State Museum & Art Gallery is located in Central Georgetown on Lebuh Farquhar between Jalan Masjid KapitanKeling and Love Lane. The museum is divided into galleries which are dedicated to Penang’s historical event that took place in the past. The museum also attracts visitors for its fine collection of old photographs, maps, historical relics and Chinese furniture. Special exhibitions are also held at the museum from time to time.

10.Street Art

           A new life has been given to some of the oldest buildings in Georgetown. The travellers to the place can come across fascinating and funny graffiti art that have been done on the wall by Ernest Zacharevic, a young Lithuania born artist. The streets along which such innovative wall paintings and graffiti have done include Acheen Street, Cannon Street, Ah Quee Street and Armenian Street.

NUR AIN AYUNI BT MOHAMMED RAMIZ