Joanna James
Penang is one of those effortlessly cool cities that have so much to see and do. Don't ever visit this city without having a list of places you want to go to. A trip to Penang should be one-part eclectic and one part modern yet quirky at the same time for you to really experience it. Let's go!
Flagstaff Hill or Penang Hills is also known as Bukit Bendera. Rising about 821 m above sea level, the hill provides a windy escape from the rather humid city. It is a great place to begin your excursion in Penang as you will get an aerial view of the city and be able to create a mental image of your progress throughout the city as you explore it. When you are going up be sure to use the funicular train.
Considered to be one of the biggest temple complexes in the whole of Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si temple is located on the peak of Ayer Itam and is home to a seven-tiered pagoda. This pagoda is famous for combining the Buddhist architecture styles of Burma, China and Thailand resulting in an almost fairytale-like structure. Named The Pagoda of 1000 Buddhas, it is a place you must visit regardless of your faith or your interest in art and architecture.
On Leith street located just a short journey from PARKROYAL Penang Resort is Cheng Fatt Tze Mansion. Once the home of an influential industrialist after whom it was named, the mansion was built in the 1890s and is considered a prime example of great Chinese architecture in the Victorian Era. There's just so much going on at the mansion in terms of art and architecture as well as feng shui. Make sure you have a guide with you, so you are better able to appreciate the various components that make the mansion such an award-winning exhibit. The guided tours are available daily at 11 am 1.30 pm and 3 pm.
If you are staying at a Penang hotel with older children or friends, you should all head out to Escape Adventureland on Teluk Bahang for some adrenaline-pumping fun. The park has a lot of ziplining, rope swinging and innertube sliding that will get you excited and give you the occasional scare. Escape Adventureland is open from 9 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
Another one for the adrenaline junkies is Adventure Zone Theme Park in Batu Ferringhi. It is a place where the whole family can have a great time together. There is free wifi throughout the park that's 10,300 square feet. There are a toddler area and a special play area geared towards younger kids. You can take part in over thirty different activities across three divided sections. Once you have had your fill playing with the children you can go relax at the café and have a nice cold brew. The Adventure Zone Theme Park is open from 10 am to 7 pm every day.
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