Penang

Penang was given to the British East India Company in 1786.  The island was used as a trading port and Naval base.  It was named Prince of Wales Island, in honor of the next heir to the British throne, and the settlement on the north eastern tip of the island was named George Town after King George III.  It was the first British colony in South East Asia, and it remained British until it became a state of the Federation of Malaysia in 1948.  In More modern times, Penang was occupied by the Japanese for three and a half years during World War II, a brutal and terrifying time in the country’s history.  Miraculously, the historic colonial era structures in George Town remained remarkably intact despite extensive allied bombings of the island in an effort to free it from the reign of terror inflicted upon it by the three and a half year occupation by the Japanese, which ended on September 6th, 1945.Today, Penang is free from its British ties and from the horrors of the war, and it is a hot spot in the region for cultural diversity and freedom.

There are so many things to see and do in Penang; your choice of activities during your holidays in Penang is only limited by the amount of time that you have to spend and your individual interests.  A visit to the Unesco World Heritage Site of George Town to view its authentic colonial era architecture and learn the stories that the streets of George Town can tell about the history of Penang is a must during your holiday in Penang.A short cable car ride up Penang hill will give you a breathtaking panorama of the city and a welcome break from some of the heat and humidity in the city below.If shopping is on your agenda, a visit to one of Penang’s many markets will scratch your shopping itch.   A wide variety of shopping opportunities exist, from traditional flea markets where vendors sell unique antiques and handicrafts to modern malls featuring the latest in fashion and design, you are sure to find a few things to fill up the empty spaces in your suitcases. If soaking up some sun is on your agenda, Penang is also surrounded by some spectacular beaches.

Residents in Penang come from many different cultural backgrounds, but they have one thing in common; they love to eat.  The wide variety of worldwide cuisines represented here making eating here a pleasurable, multicultural adventure.  If you are looking for a real, authentic Penang dining experience, start with some street food.  Endless combinations of meat, vegetables, sauces and noodles will tickle your tastebuds at street food stands where you will enjoy your cheap and delicious meal with locals, for whom dining at these informal establishments is a daily occurrence.For those looking for a more refined dining experience, Penang offers a wide variety of restaurants to indulge your tastebuds.  The city is a crossroads from travelers and expats from all over the world, many of whom have opened up fine restaurants featuring the cuisine of their country of birth.  Craving great Italian food?  You can find it here.  Excellent Indian?  Yup, that too!  Malaysia is an incredibly inexpensive country to travel in for folks from many parts of the world, making sampling fine cuisine from around the world a lot less burdensome on your wallet!

Penang is an equatorial climate. The temperatures remain relatively steady year round, staying pleasantly between 20 and 30 degrees celsius. Humidity varies, ranging from high to very high, and rain is expected at any time during the year, but is most likely during the wet season that runs roughly from May through November.

Winter time is the best season weather wise to for a holiday in Malaysia, with the best chance of clear skies and less rain and humidity.  Unfortunately, this also makes this the busiest season to visit, meaning more crowding less of a chance of having that great, off the beaten path temple all to yourself.

Spring/Hot Season (February-April)

Two words sum up a holiday in Malaysia at this time of year.  Think ‘hot’ and ‘humid’.  February and early March can be very warm and stiflingly humid, making getting out to see the sights during your holidays to Penang somewhat uncomfortable.  On the flip side, those looking for beautiful photos will appreciate the brilliant blue skies that accompany the hot season, and the somewhat uncomfortable conditions mean that you will be sharing those incredible photo opportunities with fewer other tourists.

Summer (May-July)

The rains come in May.  Indeed, a holiday in Malaysia anytime in spring or summer can mean an increased chance of rain, but also lower temperatures than in the spring.  May is one of the two rainiest months in Penang, though rain can be expected any day of the year in this equatorial climate.  Monsoon season also brings a greater chance of flash flooding, which commonly blocks roads and hinders travel at this time of the year.  During the months of April through June, Penang can be swallowed up by the haze; smoke that settles over the landscape from fires burning in nearby Indonesia which can make photography challenging and breathing difficult. One great reason to schedule your holiday in Penang at this time of year is the Bon Odori Festival, which is held in July and celebrates Japanese culture with music, dancing, a street fair featuring Japanese crafts and food and fireworks.  This is one of the more popular holidays in Penang.

Fall (August-October)

October is the second rainiest month for a Malaysia holiday, though this does not mean that it will rain all day, every day.  Heavy rain is common, but you might also have periods of clearing and you will certainly have a more personal and intimate experience during the rainy season as you will be sharing the sights of Penang with fewer other travelers.  The George Town Festival is a highlight of taking a holiday in Penang at this time of the year.  Held in August, this popular, month long festival features a wide range of performances and exhibits and culminates in the celebration of Malaysia’s National Day on August 31st. Visitors on a holiday in Penang can also enjoy the delights of the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival, which falls on a different date each year between the months of September and October.

Winter (November-January)

The weather in Penang in winter is just about as good as it gets.  The hot temperatures of spring are long gone.  By the end of November, the monsoons of the rainy season have tapered off, leaving lots of sunshine and a more comfortable level of heat and humidity, creating an ideal time weather wise for your Malaysia holiday.  This also means that December and January constitute the “high season” for tourists, meaning that you will be sharing the streets of historic George Town with many more people than other times of the year.  Penang has a large chinese population, making the celebration of Chinese New Year one of the more festive Penang holidays, and this festival attracts visitors from all over the world.