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| Penang... Pearl of the Orient | |||
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 enang, the only Island State in Malaysia is also known as the Pearl of the Orient. The palm tree is known as Pinang to the Malays or Penang to the English. Penang a turtle-shaped island, a total of 285 square kilometers, and a strip of land called Seberang Prai on Peninsular Malaysia about 48 kilometers wide. State capital Georgetown is a bustling town known for its fascinating collection of fine old buildings. Much of Penang's charm lies in its fabulous beaches as well as rich cultural potpourri. Penang is one of Asia's most famous islands, a place of mysterious temples and palm-shrouded beaches. Its natural beauty and exotic heritage have been attracting curious visitors for centuries. The main road along the Penang ‘s northern coastline boasts some of the most scenic beaches on the island. Here, international class hotels and resorts abound. The nearest beach from Georgetown is Tanjung Bungah. Further west from Tanjung Bungah, the Batu Ferringhi beach is the most popular strip in Penang with a wide selection of international class hotels and water sport amenities such as parachuting, speedboating, waterskiing and windsurfing. The uninhabited islets off Batu Ferringhi - Pulau Bidan, Pulau Telur and Pulau Song are ideal for swimming, diving and fishing. At the northwestern end of the coastal road lies Teluk Bahang which is famous for its pristine beaches and a few luxury hotels. 
Besides beaches, the 100-hectare Arboretum Recreational Park at Teluk Bahang is home to a rich variety of plants. The adjacent Butterfly Farm, on the other hand, has a total of 3,000 colourful butterflies.
Penang offers more than just beaches, parks and historic structures. The Penang Hill, accessible by funicular train, affords a breathtaking birds-eye view of Georgetown and the magnificent Penang Bridge which at 13.5km, is one of the longest in Asia. As fabulous as its beaches are, some of Penang's deeper mysteries should also be experienced. There are two renowned mosques in Georgetown, namely Kapitan Kling Mosque in Pitt Street and Acheen Street Mosque. Indian Muslim Caudeer Mohoudeen erected the Kapitan Kling Mosque in early 19th century while the Acheen Street Mosque was built on land donated by an Achenese Sheriff Tengku Syed Hussain Aidid. Penang has a fair share of Buddhist temples. The Wat Chayamangkalaram off Burmah Road is a Thai-style Buddhist temple famous for its 33-metre long gold-plated  reclining Buddha said to be the third largest in the world.
The Kek Lok Si Temple at Ayer Itam is reputedly one of the biggest in South East Asia. The structure boasts a rich blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese Buddhist architectural styles. Built in 1890, the temple houses a 7-tier 30-metre tall pagoda. Penang's outstanding beaches and exotic sights have made it one of the most popular destinations in the region. Worldroom City Guide: Penang Penang Weather: | |||
