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General Information

Penang, "The Pearl of the Orient" lies on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia . The state comprises an island of some 285 sq. km and a narrow strip of approximately 760 sq. km on the mainland known as Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley separated by a channel 3 km wide at the closest point). They are linked by the Penang Bridge and a 24-hour ferry service. Its population of more than 1 million represents a happy mix of the major races found in Malaysia .

The history of modern Penang can be traced back to 1786 when Francis Light managed to persuade the Sultan of Kedah to cede "Pulau Pinang" (island of the Betel nut) to the British East India Company. Light landed at the site of the present Esplanade and according to local legend, fired gold coins into the surrounding jungle to induce his men to clear the area. The island was originally named Prince of Wales Island and the settlement that soon grew up was named Georgetown after King George III. In 1800, the Sultan of Kedah further ceded a strip of land on the mainland across the channel which Light named Province Wellesley, after the then Governor of India. In 1832, Penang formed part of the Straits Settlement with Malacca and Singapore . It flourished and grew to be a major trading post for a lucrative trade in tea, spices, china and cloth. For more than a hundred years, it remained under British Colonial rule until 1957 when it gained independence and became one of the states of the newly formed Federation of Malaya and later Malaysia in 1963.

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Places of Interest & Sightseeing in Penang

Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Lebuh Farquhar

Built in 1821, the Museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, charts and other historical relics. There are also Malay daggers (kris), Chinese furniture, embroidery and painting of old Penang. The Art gallery on the first floor displays the works of local artists and is the venue for special exhibitions. The statue of Francis Light graces the grounds in front of the buildings.

Kuan Yin Temple, Jalan Kapitan Kling

Popularly known as the temple of the Goddess of Mercy, it is the oldest temple in Penang. Built in 1800, it is said to have a hidden magical "eye" . The Temple forecourt houses two big iron stoves where devotees burn paper money to help predict the future and grant wishes. They then proceed inside where they light incense and shake joss sticks which reveal the future.

Sri Mariamman Temple, Lebuh Queen

The temple, built in 1883, features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and on its facade. Housed within its ornately decorated interior is the priceless statue of Lord Subramaniam embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The statue figures prominently in the annual Thaipusam festival when it is borne on a silver chariot through the city streets to the temple at Jalan Waterfall.

Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon

The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as a clan-house for members of the Khoo family. It was burned down in 1894 and some believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace. A scaled down version was later built in 1902. The building features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.

Fort Cornwallis, Lebuh Light

The fort was built on the site of Francis Light's historic landing in 1786. Originally a wooden stockade, it was replaced by a concrete structure built by convict labour, in 1804. Today, an open-air amphitheatre, a history gallery and a handicraft and souvenir centre occupies the interior. It houses the famous Dutch cannon presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch and which finally found its way to Penang after being looted by the Portuguese, spent some time in Java and later dumped into the sea by pirates

Penang Street Food - www.penangfoods.com