Penang

Separated from Malaysia by a slender strait, Penang Island (Pulau Pinang) has long served as the link between Asia’s great kingdoms a vital port to European and Middle-eastern merchants. Founded as a colonial trading post in 1786 when the island was virtually uninhabited, Penang emerged in the late 19th century as an important British Crown Colony  and “Pearl of the Orient.” Today, Penang is a world-renowned holiday destination and island paradise with no shortage of cultural sights and naturally beautiful scenery. Fringed by golden beaches, this “Isle of the Betel Nut” welcomes with stunning interiors of rustic fishing villages camouflaged by coconut groves, mountainous jungles and traditional farming lands.

The two main jewels in Penang’s dazzling crown both rest in the north. Stretching along the island’s uppermost shores, idyllic Batu Ferranghi is the best-known beach, lapped by turquoise waters and lined with upscale beachfront resorts set amid betel nut palms and casuarinas. Named after a British King, Penang’s capital George Town ranks as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling and colourful cities. Despite modern high-rises and cosmopolitan influences, centuries of Asian and European trading have contributed to a well-preserved core of architectural heritage and melting pot of cultures. Multi-coloured temples, ornate Peranakan mansions and time-worn shop houses exude quaint Asian charm, alongside historic legacies of British colonial rule –  why George Town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City.