 |
| What's inside? |
|
| a4trip's Penang guidebook consists of comprehensive traveling analysis, tips, alerts and well-drawn maps that can guarantee you an under-budget and veteran traveling. Places to visit, hotels, guesthouses, transportations, restaurants and shopping centers around Penang city are analyzed by price, location, rank and testimonial. |
|
|
|
| Save the Malayan Tapir |
|
|
|
| Collecting fund in progress... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Featuring in Penang Travel Guide is the Malayan Tapir, also called the Asian Tapir. It is a weighs about 250 - 300 kg (550 - 660 lb). Tapirs are large mammals with short snouts that are very flexible. There are four species, or kinds, of tapir. In the Malay language, the tapir is commonly referred to as "cipan" or "tenuk. Read our Animal Blog for more information. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| What is an a4trip travel guidebook? |
| a4trip travel guidebook will provide the necessary information to help you plan your travel.Our guidebook, in PDF format, are designed to be concise and comprehensive, yet small enough to keep with you everywhere you go. |
|
| How do I make payment? |
| We accept credit card payment via PayPal payment gateway. Credit card such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only), Discover (USA only). Your a4trip transaction will appear as PAYPAL*A4TRIP on your credit card statement. |
|
| Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Contact us and we will email the guidebook to you. |
|
| How often do you update your guidebook? |
| We update our guidebook once a month. |
|
| What should I do if I have question regarding a4trip? |
| Please contact us. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Penang - Beacon of World Heritage and Culture |
|
| By Arief Abdullah Tan, editorial services provider |
|
|
|
The buildings looked the same, the scenes familiar, and our favourite food stalls were still situated where it was from our last visit here a year ago. Yet, there was something different as we walked along the breezy Esplanade on the harbour area of Penang's capital George Town this time around. Perhaps it was a sense of pride knowing that we were leaving our footprints on one of earth's few exclusive World Heritage Sites.
Penang - Pulau Pinang in the Malay language - which derives its name from the betel nut palm (pokok pinang) is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is situated on the north-western coast of the Peninsula and the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis.
As we continued our casual saunter through the capital, it is easy to understand why it was bestowed the prominent recognition. Penang - fondly known as Malaysia's 'Pearl of the Orient' - is truly an 'open museum' with its rich heritage depicted behind the stories of each building, each community and each culture present.
Abundance of 19th and early 20th century buildings and pre-war shophouses line the historic city as visitors admire multitude places of worship, bustling marketplaces and bazaars, and lively street lives filled with retail shops, trishaw peddlers and endless array of fares, including antiques, leather goods, clothes, luggage, cosmetics, and souvenir items.
Although the national language is Bahasa Malaysia (Malay), English is widely spoken in business and commerce. Many other Asian dialects are spoken including Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Teow Chew, Cantonese and Tamil.
The hive of retail and trade activities centres on Beach Street, Light Street, Pitt Street and Chulia. Just around the corner from Beach Street lies the Colonial Quarter, where Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, Court-house, St. George's Church, Convent Light Street, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the Protestant Cemetery, and other historical buildings are situated. A short distance away are what is described as the historic port settlements or 'ethnic enclaves' - the Little India commercial area, Kapitan Keling mosque, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Mahamariamman Temple, Armenian Street, Acheen Street, Khoo Kongsi, King Street, Weld Quay and other attractions.
Penang with its magnificent beaches and exotic sights and sounds has long been known as one of Southeast Asia's most enchanting destinations. Each year, thousands of sun and sea connoisseurs flock to the coastline of Tanjung Bungah, the rustic charms of Teluk Bahang, and the resort strip of Batu Ferringhi, which offer all the scenic delights of tropical island paradise.
For those that find the tranquillity of historical romance overwhelming or detest the husky smell of sun tan lotion, Penang's sequence of colourful festivals and enthusiastic cultural celebrations throughout the year including the Bangsawan, Boria, flag processions, Chingay Parade, Nine Emperor Gods Festival, Hungry Ghosts Festival, and Thaipusam celebrations will surely bring you back to life.
In between festivals, do take on the funicular train up to the ever-popular Penang Hill, a series of hills which rise above the island with the peak at 821 metres above sea level, which makes it a refreshing escape from the tropical heat below.
Other popular stops are the delightful Penang Bird Park, the mysterious Snake Temple, the Kek Lok Si temple, Fort Cornwallis, the site of Light's first landing, Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, Ayer Hitam Dam, Aquarium of the Fisheries Research Institute, Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden, Botanical Gardens, and the Penang National Park, the world's smallest national park.
After a tired day in the sun, the perfect way to relax is to turn to some shopping therapy. There is always plenty of shopping bargains to be found within George Town such as Lebuh Campbell, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling, Chulia Stree, Bishop Street and Penang Road.
It is inevitable that when Penang is mentioned, the subject of food will crop up. Above all else, Penang earns its recognition as a culinary paradise offering both a stimulating and exotic mix of delicious cuisine to choose from. While there are scores of fine dining and Western-style food and beverage outlets to satisfy the stern segment, it is the hawker or street fare, including Nyonya, Chinese, vegetarian, Indian, Malay, Western, seafood and desserts, that gives fame to the island state.
With so much to taste, countless places to visit, and seemingly endless things to experience, it certainly deserves its latest accolade as a World Heritage Site. Thus, the next time you walk on the celebrated paths of Penang, see if you can feel the difference. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
