Penang

Get to know about Penang and what makes Penang a popular tourist destination.

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Penang is located on the Straits of Malacca, towards the north of Malaysia. It has a population of about 1.5 million people including the Seberang Prai which is also a part of Penang.

Penang Map

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The state of Penang is the only state in Malaysia which isn’t Malay dominated. The majority of its residents are Chinese, closely followed by Malay, and a smaller number of Indians. Many of the Chinese people of Penang come from a Peranakan heritage, which is the early Chinese immigrants to arrive, adopting parts of Malay culture, food, lifestyle, dressing, and even language which was a mix of Hokkien and Malay creole.

The languages mainly spoken on the island are English, Hokkien, Malay, and Tamil. Most of the non-Chinese Penangnites can manage simple Hokkien dialect, while some are fluent, with the ability to read and write in Chinese. The most understood language here still remains to be English and Malay for travelers and visitors to the island.

The Island isn’t like any part of Malaysia. The other islands of Malaysia aren’t cities but Penang is a big city with modern access, almost as modern as the city of Kuala Lumpur. It’s like being in a little country within a country.

Penang is not only known for its rich history but for its food! A mere mention of the Penang Island will get you many ravings about its food and must try star dish - Char Koay Teow. Penang is known for its hawker and sea food. Many local Malaysians flock to Penang for a quick food fest holiday whilst others gear up for a sunny vacation by the beach!

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