PULAU PINANG

Pulau Pinang or Penang Island - For the fun-loving and outdoorsy tourist, there are numerous beaches, fishing villages, nature trails, recreation forest and waterfalls. If you find touristy spots like Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi too crowded, you can retreat to more remote but no less attractive beaches at Muka Head, Pantai Keracut, Monkey Beach, Pantai Acheh and Gertak Sanggul. While in Teluk Bahang don't forget to visit the butterfly farm and batik factory. To rejuvenate jaded senses, Penang Hill beckons with the promise of fresh and cool air and an awe-inspiring view of the island. Still relatively un spoilt, Penang Hill provides a quiet break from the hectic pace of the city. Breathtaking views of the island and the Andaman Sea can also be enjoyed during the drive to and from Balik Pulau.  Reflecting the multi-cultural character of Penang are the numerous houses of worship to cater to nearly every faith - Islam, Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. If you plan to visit, do remember to dress decently and remove your shoes before entering some places of prayer. To further add to the already existing tourism value, Penang or anciently known as the Pearl of the Orient had just recently being bestowed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - particularly it was the Gergetown provinces that obtained the honor. Prior to its commemoration as the World Heritage, Georgetown was a hub of colonial commercial and financial district. Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), the Chartered Bank, Boustead & Co., Guthne & Co., Cal beck & Macgregor, Behn Meyer, Buttery and others are among the foreign companies that set up their businesses here at Georgetown. Undeniably, it was the blend of cultural attraction (places of prayers), its beach (Pantai Keracut, Monkey Beach, and Pantai Acheh), contemporary tourist spots (Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Gertak Sanggul, Teluk Bahang etc.) and its historical past as a trading hub that has made Penang truly a Precious Pearl of tourism industry today.