Hotel Mingood

Penang lies just off the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It was Britain's 1st settlement (Est.1786) in the region & for a short time was Malaya's capital before Singapore stole its thunder. Georgetown, the capital of Penang State, combines the best of past and present, East & West, as displayed by its diverse architecture & culture. Laid-back Georgetown is best seen as a walking tour : take your time and meander thru its back streets and discover some of its hidden treasures : Kuan Yin Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Khoo Kongsi Clan House and much more. Pick up the "Heritage Walking Map" and discover its beauty . Some of the "MUST SEE" in Georgetown are :

* Penang Museum : The best presented museum in Malaysia. Excellent, well-labeled exhibits showcase Penang's history and historical figures, diverse cultures and more. Open from 9am to 5pm. Closed on Friday. Admission fee RM1.00

* Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Maison Bleu) : Cheong Fatt Tze (1840-1917), once dubbed as "China's Rockefeller" by The New York Times, built a vast commercial empire in South East Asia, 1st in Indonesia, then in Singapore. He came to Penang in 1890 and continued his success, giving some of his spoils to build schools throughout the region. His mansion, where he lived with his eight wives was built between 1896 and 1904. Inside are lavish adornments : stained glass, crown moldings, gilded wood-carved doors, ceramic ornaments & seven staircases.

*Sri Mariamman Temple : A typical South Indian temple with its elaborately sculptured & painted superstructure (called "Gopura" in hindu) represents Mt Meru - the cosmic mountain that supports the heavens-that rises above its shrine. Built in 1883 , this is Georgetown's oldest Hindu temple & testimony to the strong Indian influence you'll find in this predominantly Chinese town.

*Fort Cornwallis : Today , the battlement studded with old cannons are the only reminder of the fort that was built on the spot where Captain Francis Light first stepped ashore in 1786. Seri Rambai, the largest & most important cannon here is famed for its provocative powers - childless women are advised to place flowers in the barrel and offer it special prayers.

Outside of Georgetown

Kek Lok Si Temple: On a hilltop at Air Itam, close to Penang Hill funicular station stands Malaysia's largest Buddhist temple. Construction started in 1890 & took over 20 years to complete. Its part of colorful Penang that definitely shouldn't be missed. Walk through the arcade of souvenier stalls, tightly packed turtle& fish ponds until you reach Ban Po Thar (Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda). A small donation will let you climb to the top of the 7-tiered, 30 Mtr high tower which in design is Burmese at the top, Chinese at the bottom & Thai in between. Open from 0900am to 6.00pm

Penang Hill: Escape the city heat & catch some amazing views of Georgetown from Penang Hill(821 Mtrs). There are gardens, tea stalls, an aviary tree-top canopy swinging bridge walk, a Hindu Temple & a mosque at the top. Penang Hill is at its best at dusk as Georgetown, far below starts to light up. / Open from 06.30am ti 9.30pm - Mon. to Fri.

Botanical Gardens: Also called the Monkey Gardens due to the many long-tailed Macaques that hang-out here. Within the gardens are orchid & palm houses & cactus gardens & sun rookery. A path leads to the top of Penang Hill./Open 05.00am to 8.00pm Admission is Free

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