Located on the northwest coast of Malaysia, Penang is home to renowned street food, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gorgeous street art scene, year round festivals, world-class attractions and a UNESCO-designated 130-million-year-old ancient rainforest that’s even older than the Amazon. With its fantastic diversity in culture, heritage, arts, food, as well as its natural surroundings of lovely beaches and breathtaking hills, the state attracts millions of holiday-makers annually and has become one of the world’s must-visit tourist destinations.
The vibrant state of Penang comprises two halves: Penang Island, where the capital city of George Town is located; and a strip of land on the peninsula, named Seberang Perai. In the north-east of the island lies the city of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of the greener terrain is located on the island’s hilly centre, which is home to the Penang Hill UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the mainland. The narrow sandy beaches lined with resort hotels and residences span along Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah and Tanjung Tokong. On the southwest of Penang lies Balik Pulau, a scenic countryside. The Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, located on the south-eastern tip of Penang, is known as the Silicon Valley of the East for its thriving industrial hub. Penang Island is connected by two bridges to Seberang Perai (or the ‘mainland’, as it’s affectionately called in Penang). The main town in Seberang Perai is Butterworth, followed by Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal.