Penang is one of the 13 states of Malaysia and is situated on the north-western coast of the peninsula. Penang consist of the island of Penang (Pulau Pinang) and a coastal strip on the mainland called Province Wellesley (Seberang Perai).
Penang has an equatorial climate which is quite uniform throughout the year. The climate is warm and humid. The average minimum 23.3 degree Celcius.
Penang is also known as "The Pearl of the Orient" and it is on the island part where you will discover the old charm of Penang with the heritage buildings and long white sandy beaches

A sizeable, oblong-shaped tropical island measuring 15 mls N to S and 10 mls E to W, Penang is Malaysia's most established holiday destination. It first found popularity in the early 1970s as a safe version of Asia, albeit with a rather staid ambience compared to the more vibrant, exotic destinations such as Thailand's Phuket, Indonesia's Bali and the rapidly developing Langkawi Island to the N. The principal tourist development has emerged along the N coast, centring on unsophisticated Batu Ferringhi, some 20 mls N of the small airport and 11 mls from Georgetown. It is little more than 1¼ mls of coast road lined with largely self-contained beachfront hotels supported by a motley array of simple tourist services, shops and restaurants. The more residential Tanjung Bunga area a couple of miles to the E has its own handful of hotels and simple amenities including Island Plaza, a large modern shopping mall. Georgetown is the island's main manufacturing centre and transportation hub. Despite the explosion of modern, high-rise apartments, office blocks, shopping centres and factories, it still has a number of quaint shopping streets, traditional houses and stately, colonial mansions.

Like several other countries in the region, Malaysia was affected by a series of tidal waves on 26 December 2004, following a major earthquake in the Indian Ocean. The NW coast of peninsular Malaysia was hit including the islands of Langkawi and Penang. Before travelling to the area, contact your tour operator for the latest information. You should also check the latest advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk). Best suited to water-sports enthusiasts and middle-aged or older couples not seeking too much excitement or adventure. Batu Ferringhi is generally flat and quite suitable for the elderly or disabled, although they might find the heat and humidity uncomfortable.

Batu Ferringhi boasts a good choice of mostly 4- and 5-star beachfront properties, some dating back to the 1970s. Georgetown has several good business hotels, private and rented apartments as well as a host of more basic motels and hostels providing spartan amenities.

The long, white, sandy beach at Batu Ferringhi is not as nice as it looks: it shelves steeply, pollution is a problem with several filthy streams running into the sea, and churned-up sand makes the water murky; only a few locals brave entering the sea. Bathing areas are often cordoned off by floating buoys to protect swimmers from speeding jet-skis and water-skiers. Jellyfish, particularly at rainy times, can be a problem. Access to Tanjung Bunga's beaches is often by a series of steps down a steep slope and once reached there is little more than a strip of sand festooned by rocks. No amenities to mention.

Main shopping opportunities are found in Georgetown, which boasts a selection of small shops, several air-conditioned shopping complexes (including the high-rise KOMTAR shopping and entertainment centre), duty-free outlets and a colourful market; antiques and bric-a-brac along Jalan Pintal Tali (Rope Walk). Island Plaza shopping mall, just E of Tanjung Bungah, boasts a reasonable range of outlets and a more sophisticated supermarket. Batu Ferringhi has a few small shops selling souvenirs and beach necessities, in addition to several money changers and pushy Indian tailors. Stalls selling a variety of goods are set up along the entire length of the road in the evening.

Daytime: tennis and water sports - sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, parasailing, canoeing and speedboat rides - at the larger beachfront hotels; golf; weekend horse racing at the Penang Turf Club. Nightlife: pretty low-key even in high season and centred on the hotel bars, local musicians and a number of karaoke lounges; some local clubs, bars and discos, mainly frequented by locals; traditional theatre productions and concerts; cinema at KOMTAR centre.

Principally traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian fare at very reasonable prices, although the quality can vary. Many street vendors but be careful - the food looks and smells tempting, but hygiene and quality is often suspect. Most visitors stick to the hotel offerings. Bottled water is advisable.

An infrequent bus service links different parts of the island, but buses are crowded, uncomfortable and best avoided unless it's a short hop. Taxis - usually stationed outside hotels - are generally unmetered, leading to haggling and the occasional rip-off; the hotel concierge will advise on the correct amount to pay and guests should agree the fare before boarding. The ones at the airport operate by a prepaid voucher system. Car, jeep and moped hire are popular, although local driving skills leave a lot to be desired. Trishaws in Georgetown, but bargain over the fare before getting in. Regular ferries link Georgetown to the mainland.

Most sights can be covered in half-day or day trips. Georgetown tour including botanical gardens, Penang Museum, religious buildings of interest and Chinatown. Fort Cornwallis. Various temples including the Snake Temple, Kek Lok Si with its Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram with its 100-ft-long reclining Buddha. Butterfly farm. Hill and jungle trekking. Funicular up Penang Hill for walking trails and panoramic views. Rubber, clove and nutmeg plantations. Batu Maung fishing village. Round-island coach tour or cruise. Off-shore islands (Bidan, Telur and Song Song) for snorkelling, diving and fishing. Teluk Bahang Forest Park.

2 mls off the Malaysian peninsula's NW coast. 230 mls NW of the capital, Kuala Lumpur. 90 mls S of Langkawi. Bayan Lepas airport is on the island's S tip; its main town, Georgetown, is on the NE tip.

A largely unspoilt, hilly jungle interior, most of the island's development is in the coastal areas; industrial zones between the airport and Georgetown. A narrow road winds above the N shore from Georgetown to the main resort areas. A toll bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Telephone Area Code: 4
Website: www.exoticpenang.com.my

Airport : Penang International
Airport Code: PEN
Flight time from ther U.K.: 15 hrs