Penang

Penang is a beautiful island off the northwest coast of mainland Malaysia. The island contains some beautiful colonial buildings, as well as a long history of foreign settlements. Like so many places in Asia, Penang owes is modern beginnings to the British East India Company. This was the first such settlement in Malaysia for the British, who sought to push out the Dutch and their spice trade. Back then Penang was known as "Betel Nut Island". Ethnic Chinese eventually followed. Islam was a strong part of the culture. At less than 11 square miles, this tiny island belies the island's myriad features. There are pretty beaches and quiet fishing villages, as well as a fast-growing information technology center. Georgetown is the main city, and it is a popular take-off point for travelers departing for other islands and parts of Malaysia.

Experiences

Beaches

While the beaches are not overwhelmingly beautiful, they provide a nice place to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day. The most secluded beaches are at Teluk Kampi, Muka Head and Pantai Kerachut. There is an old and charming lighthouse at Muka Head beach.

Butterfly Farm

There is an outstanding collection of tropical butterflies, as well as snakes, scorpions and other dangerous insects.

Food Stalls and Cooking Class

Penang is one of the finest food outposts in all of Malaysia. Wander around Penang's myriad food stalls to sample the area's diverse cuisine, which includes mee sotong (fish-laden noodles), a local delight. Alternatively, why not take a cooking class?

Hiking to a Beach

The beaches of Penang are accessible on foot, if you are interested in hiking between 1-3 hours. For a shortcut, board a sampan fishing boat from Teluk Bahang Village.

Motorbike Tour

Tour Georgetown on two wheels and take in its historic and colonial sites.

Outdoor Sports

Golfing, swimming (especially along the northern coast), surfing, jet skis, parasailing and cycling are all on the menu.

Penang Dragon Boat Festival

The event is held at Teluk Bahang Dam and features teams from Australia, China, Japan, Holland, the Philippines, Thailand, Canada, America and other nations. It has been on-going since 1979. Race dates vary every year.

War Museum

This was a part of a military fortress built by the British Army during the rise of Japan as the 1930s unfolded. It was meant to protect from an attack on the southern flank. The fort was a mini-marvel, featuring underground tunnels, an intelligence and logistics center, offices, bays for firing artillery and an infirmary.

MALAYSIA Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.

Malaysia Itineraries

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Intrepid

10 DAYS
FROM
$5,800
PER PERSON

Classic Peninsular Malaysia

Spend 10 days exploring peninsular Malaysia’s must-see spots on this thrilling luxury journey. You’ll tour the bustling capital of Kuala Lumpur, enjoy fresh tea at a plantation in the Cameron Highlands, visit UNESCO-listed sites in Penang, and relax beachside in Langkawi, all while staying in luxury hotels.

Category Diving
Country Malaysia

10 DAYS

FROM

$5,800

PER PERSON

Enquire

10 DAYS
FROM
$4,000
PER PERSON

Beautiful Malaysia: From Coast to Highlands

Voyage between Malaysia’s west and east coast on this remarkable 10-day journey that stops at fascinating points. You’ll explore UNESCO-listed Georgetown, hike through lush tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands, and take a boat cruise through Taman Negara National Park., all while staying in luxury hotels.

Category Heritage, Romance
Country Malaysia

10 DAYS

FROM

$4,000

PER PERSON

Enquire

9 DAYS
FROM
$6,400
PER PERSON

Colonial Singapore and Malaysia

Step into the rich colonial histories of Singapore and Malaysia on this fascinating 9-day luxury journey. You’ll stay at the iconic century-old Raffles Singapore, stroll down Jonker Street in Old Malacca, trek through the picturesque Cameron Highlands, and take a private tour of UNESCO-listed Georgetown.

Category Unesco, Heritage
Country Malaysia, Singapore

9 DAYS

FROM

$6,400

PER PERSON

Enquire

12 DAYS
FROM
$6,400
PER PERSON

Family Fun from Singapore to Langkawi

From the highlands and mountaintops to tropical rainforests and sandy shores, take the whole family on a 12-day trip through Singapore and Malaysia. Get a lesson in physics and chemistry in state-of-the-art city museums, entomology at Penang’s butterfly farm, ecology in Cameron Highland’s dense rainforests, pewtersmithing in Kuala Lumpur, and botany at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Travel through the diverse terrains of Singapore and Malaysia is an adventure brimming with exciting experiences and teaching moments for kids and parents alike.

Category With Kids
Country Singapore, Malaysia

12 DAYS

FROM

$6,400

PER PERSON

Enquire

14 DAYS
FROM
$12,200
PER PERSON

From Singapore to Malaysia: A Culturally Revealing Experience

Experience for yourself the similarities and differences between sparkling Singapore and mesmerizing Malaysia. These two countries were once part of the same state, but in 1965, Singapore became independent. Nowadays, their cultural similarities make them friendly neighbors, while the juxtaposition of their vastly different landscapes...

Category Heritage, Romance
Country Malaysia, Singapore

14 DAYS

FROM

$12,200

PER PERSON

Enquire

10 DAYS
FROM
$4,100
PER PERSON

Jungles of Western Malaysia

Step into Malaysia’s stunning nature on this exhilarating journey through its western jungles. Explore high and low, birdwatching from the forest floor, walking high above it on Taman Negara National Park’s canopy birdges, and circumnavigating Belum-Temengor Rainforest in a kayak, before moving on to Penang.

Category Trekking, Amazing Landscapes
Country Malaysia

10 DAYS

FROM

$4,100

PER PERSON

Enquire

PREFERRED HOTEL

Eastern & Oriental Express

Passengers aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express by Belmond get the opportunity to travel in style and luxury on magical journeys throughout Southeast Asia with a range of trips; destinations include the buzzing cities of Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the breath-taking temples of Angkor Wat and the UNESCO world Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Aboard the train, guests enjoy every comfort, with three options of comfortable private cabins, each with its own en-suite facilities, not to mention the train’s rear carriage where travelers can enjoy views of the passing scenery by day and socializing with cocktails and entertainment come nightfall. Dining is a pleasure with breakfast in bed and a range of international cuisine served in the dining cars. The train’s bar car is open all hours for guests to relax, chat and enjoy a drink or two as the landscape slides by.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

A historical property, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is reminiscent of British elegance during the colonial era while representing present-day Penang. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the hotel boasts a stellar location, close to downtown Georgetown and the cultural, financial and historical districts are located. With 100 suites, the E&O boasts a 750-foot seafront promenade and facilities including a swimming pool, 24-hour room service, a fitness center, sauna, meeting rooms, a business center and fitness center. Dining options include The Starkles Corner, a casual restaurant serving international cuisine and 1885, a Western-style restaurant serving dinner and traditional English tea. The E&O Hotel is located approximately 20 minutes from the Penang International Airport.

Hotel Penaga

Situated in Georgetown, capital of the state of Penang and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hotel Penaga is housed in a historic block of shops and teahouses. With its location, the Penaga lies within walking distance of many sights, including the scenic Batu Ferringhi Beach, and Clarke Street, a famous thoroughfare running through the heart of Georgetown. Each room is furnished with hand-crafted furniture, Jacuzzi bath and separate shower, and plush beds; upstairs rooms also have restored balconies, which were once used by the original inhabitants of the area. Amenities include a swimming pool, a comprehensive spa offering traditional Malay treatments, a library, a business center, and a luxury boutique selling antique handicrafts, decorations, and trinkets. In-house restaurants include the Cinnamon, a formal venue overlooking the swimming pool, and the Tanglung Bar, a casual bar that mixes Malay, Chinese, and colonial English décor.

Seven Terraces

An acclaimed Malaysian heritage hotel, the Seven Terraces promises guests a beautiful, timeless, and romantic retreat at their boutique property. Presented with the UNESCO Award of Distinction for heritage conservation, the hotel has preserved a series of nineteenth century Anglo-Chinese terraces. Today, this intimate property comprises eighteen suites with open-plan bathrooms, mezzanine floors, carved wooden four-poster beds, fine Peranakan antique furniture, handcrafted ceramics, and traditional art. The in-house restaurant, Kebaya, serves creative, refined versions of classic Malaysian and Straits Chinese cuisine, and bababar, the in-house bar and lounge, serves specially-selected wines, beers, and spirits. Other facilities include a pool, verandah and garden, luxury boutique selling vintage furniture and decorations, and even cooking classes.

Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa

Set on the outskirts of Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia’s most popular, well-developed beach, the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang contains thirty acres of tropical gardens, and is built in the distinct Minangkabau style, with unique roofs and pointed, triangular shapes. The resort’s 304 guestrooms, all of which feature complimentary Wi-Fi, LCD television, mini-bar and coffee/tea facilities, telephone, and satellite channels. There are three restaurants and cafes, serving grilled specialties, Peranakan, Malaysian, and other delicacies, and Oceanside dining. Facilities include two swimming pools, a health club, spa and sauna, tennis courts, and a golf course. The hotel lies forty-five minutes from Penang International Airport, and twenty minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown.

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Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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Travelogues

Ipoh: What to do in Malaysia’s Next Big Destination

Author: Zinara Rathnayake

It's a little bit Penang, a little bit Cameron Highlands, and a little bit something new. Ipoh is a transitional destination on peninsular Malaysia worth a visit.

Inside the Blue Mansion of Penang

Author: John McMahon

Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion in Penang – recently garnering fame for its role in Crazy Rich Asians – is a blend of cultures, an architectural curiosity, and a luxury hotel in the heart of George Town.

Sino-Portuguese Phuket: The Quirky, Cultural Side of Thailand’s Party Island

Author: Ronan O'Connell

The resorts, beaches, and nightlife are all world famous, but there's a cultural side to Phuket, one that can be found in the sleepy streets of Phuket Town.

Review: Penang’s Historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Author: Ronan O'Connell

You may have heard of the luxury train, but you might not have heard of the hotel. The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is a mix of history and luxury on Malaysia's bumping island getaway of Penang.

Crazy Nice Hotels from Crazy Rich Asians for Sane Luxury Travelers

Author: Scott Rainen

Crazy Rich Asians put a lot of new eyes on Southeast Asia, and fans of the film will be pleased to know that Rachel and Nick were filmed in very real places throughout Singapore and Malaysia – places you can stay.

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Penang

Experiences

Beaches

Butterfly Farm

Food Stalls and Cooking Class

Hiking to a Beach

Motorbike Tour

Outdoor Sports

Penang Dragon Boat Festival

War Museum

MALAYSIA Regions

Malaysia Itineraries

Eastern & Oriental Express

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Hotel Penaga

Seven Terraces

Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa

Exclusively Asia

malaysia Goes Well With

Explore 400+ Journeys in 33 Countries Across Asia

Where to go

What to do

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Filter to Select Your Itinerary

Travelogues

What Others Say

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Explore 400+ Journeys in
33 Countries Across Asia