"postcards from Penang" a Penang Travel Page by urchinn

Founded in 1876 by Captain Francis Light, Penang consists of an island and mainland territories located in the North West Coast on the Malaysian Peninsular. An island where you can find temples and mosques, bustling towns and sleepy beaches, waterfalls and shopping malls, a modern canal bridge and old-school ferries, colonial mansions and modern infrastructure, Penang is many things to many people.

And so, Penang - this little island rich in historical conquests, colours and contrasts is never too far away...it has been and forever remains as home to me.

Penang is famous for her:

1. FOOD!!! Glorious Food!!
Assam Laksa, Rojak, Nasi Kandar, Straits Chinese or Nyonya delicacies, Char Koay Teow (Fried noodles w/ egg & shellfish), Pasembur or Indian Rojak, Po Piah (Spring rolls)

2. HERITAGE BUILDINGS
Explore the Heritage Walk, a trail which covers prominent heritage buildings like the Khoo Kongsi Clan House and the newly-restored Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion among others.

Also worth a mention is the Esplanade area where the Penang Municipal Council has its head office as well as the main banking district along Farquhar Street.

Must-see : THE KHOO KONGSI CLAN HOUSE.
Besides the intricate detail of its carved stone walls, hollow dragon pillars and delicate roof carvings, the area around the Temple is surrounded by a wall which also houses a structure that used to be a theatre during its golden years. I personally like to walk around inside as well as just outside the area as there is a maze of traditional Chinese houses and stone alleyways that lead you into the Khoo Kongsi area depending on which entrance ( there are two ) you take.
p.s. Also used as the location for the marketplace scene in ‘Anna & The King’

MILLIONAIRE'S ROW
Where you will find the Sultan of Kedah’s holiday home in Penang – The Istana Kedah. Right next door is a magnificent white mansion ( which is actually larger than its royal neighbours’ ) still inhabited by the generations of its original inhabitants till this day. Most mansions in this row were homes built by timber and rubber merchants during the colonial era.

3. TEMPLES! Chinese, Indian, Thai, Burmese...

Must-see : Snake Temple
Although a lot of the snakes have slithered away due to deforestation and overall development around the area, this remains a very unique temple due to their reptilian presence. Most species that you see coiled around the main alter joss stick containers are adders and garden snakes. There are beautiful green grass snakes on top of the cupboards and if you walk past the main alter you will see a doorway on the right. Look out for the ladder in the corner as there are bound to be a few snakes curled around most rungs.
Devotees usually bring chicken eggs for the snakes aside from their usual offerings to the deities. The 8th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year is also said to herald the arrival of more snakes each year.

4. FESTIVALS
Must see : Thaipusam

Must see : Chingay Flag Parade
Whilst blatantly stating the obvious, this is NOT a local mardi gras nor a racial slur of any kind. If you haven't made the time to catch this parade through some of the major streets of Penang, try to. You will catch a colourful display of Chinese, Indian and Malay dances before the main attraction comes into view - 10' tall flags supported on either arms, foreheads, backs, stomachs and even mouths of men well-trained in this acrobatic feat.

5. Hometown of JIMMY CHOO!