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Penang is among the most fascinating and numerous locations in Malaysia. It’s an island situated on the western shores, linked to the mainland by bridge, however has a singular tradition and panorama that makes it really feel prefer it’s personal island nation.
Recognized for its UNESCO world heritage web site of Georgetown, which is filled with outdated colonial buildings and road artwork, in addition to beautiful seashores, attractive historical temples, and hearty meals (locals name it the meals capital of Malaysia, and there’s a purpose for it) – you’ll discover loads of issues to do in Penang with children to maintain them entertained.
It’s a melting pot of tradition, welcoming each Indian and Chinese language influences into its heritage. So, when in search of what to do as a household in Penang, you’ll discover the sights are available numerous varieties.
On this information, we’ve listed the highest sights and actions that you simply can’t miss in Penang together with your children, that are enjoyable for each adults too.
1. Stroll round historic George City
George City, one of many nice and dynamic cities of Penang, is a cultural melting pot full of a vibrant vitality that lures vacationers from close to and much.
It was based in 1786 by Captain Francis Mild, who was despatched by Britain to safe the island from Kedah sultanate.
Ever since, Penang has been a melting pot of tradition, drawing its influences from its ethnic mixture of Chinese language, Indian and Malay cultures in addition to colonial European structure.
It’s no surprise George City has develop into a mecca for vacationers in search of wonderful experiences full of historical past and tradition.
Right here you may wander amidst streets lined with fascinating conventional shophouses, and unbelievable road artwork and go to historic websites like Fort Cornwallis or get pleasure from some scrumptious road meals on the iconic meals court docket on Penang Highway.
Downtown George City is kind of walkable and there’s a lot to see and discover. From taking within the structure to sipping Milo ice in cafes, I like to recommend taking time to simply stroll the streets and take all of it in.
2. Take the children to Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
Youngsters of all ages will love the Butterfly Farm. You possibly can stand up shut and private with so many various sorts of butterflies, they flutter by freely and in case you maintain nonetheless – one may simply land on you.
The farm is full of stone paths main round ponds and up bridges the place stunning orchids are residence to much more butterflies.
Enable 2 hours for a calming go to right here. It’s the final cease on the bus, so very straightforward to search out.
3. Study spice buying and selling historical past at The Tropical Spice Backyard
Not removed from the Butterfly Farm (a fast taxi or bus journey), you’ll find the Spice Backyard.
We had Grandpa with us who liked studying all concerning the spice buying and selling historical past, taking a look at all of the signed crops, and smelling the herbs and spices.
Hubby and the little children didn’t hassle a lot with that, however had a ball working alongside the gorgeous paths and roaming freely amongst the attractive gardens.
There’s a large swing that swings you out over the sting of the rainforest. There are quite a few waterfalls, ponds, and bridges to search out. It’s a pretty place to cease for an hour or two. Good tree-top cafe too!
4. Take the Funicular Railway up Penang Hill
Penang is scorching and really humid. A good way to flee the warmth is to go to the highest of Penang Hill.
Catch the funicular all the way in which to the highest; in just some minutes you can be on the prime to have a beautiful view of Penang. It’s a lot cooler up right here.
If it’s a wet morning, don’t hassle as you can be unlikely to see a lot in any respect. You’re finest to attend till later within the day when the rain clears. There are just a few cafes and exhibitions to have a look at additionally. (When you’ve got little ones, keep away from the owl museum – discovered the exhausting manner – plenty of little breakable issues in there!)
Prime Tip: If you end up able to return, line up so you might be first in line to board the funicular…then race to get to the entrance carriage. (Rushing down the monitor with a front-seat view is superior!)
5. Discover Penang Botanical Gardens
When travelling with children, typically it is advisable to allow them to free.
The botanical gardens are a should for energetic children. They’ll run alongside set paths, climb bridges and watch waterfalls. For one ringgit you may bounce aboard the mini practice for a trip across the gardens.
For mum and pop, you may get pleasure from studying about all of the native crops and flora of Malaysia when you’re children benefit from the sights.
A part of Entopia is the Natureland, a dwelling backyard vivarium the place animals and bugs can thrive.
You possibly can see all the things from reptiles to snakes, and make sure you head over to the biggest butterfly backyard in Malaysia which accommodates 15,000 free-flying butterflies.
The dwelling backyard is among the highlights of the gardens. It has greater than 200 species of flora, which might be finest seen from the mezzanine terrace in David’s Backyard.
Entopia isn’t just a spot the place jungle crops can thrive, however it’s an academic useful resource. Be sure you take the children to The Cocoon indoor discovery centre to study concerning the crops and wildlife right here.
There are many monkeys to identify – watch out to cover your meals!
6. Marvel on the Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is the biggest Buddhist temple in Malaysia.
It’s open to the general public and a worthwhile expertise for you and the children. There are many steps and slim columns to climb, so go away the stroller behind.
The temple grounds are stunning; there are sacred ponds and manicured crops to admire. The youngsters will love climbing the seven-tiered Pagoda of King Rama VI and shall be awed by an enormous bronze statue of the goddess of mercy.
There are additionally glass elevators to trip in and turtles to feed. A terrific 2 hours of exploring and studying!
7. Eat, after which eat some extra!
I might severely write hundreds of phrases about consuming in Penang, however I gained’t. Strive one thing new every single day, there’s a lot in your tastebuds to study.
By far our favorite place to eat is Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. I’m drooling as I keep in mind it.
From 6pm till late there shall be lots of of Penang’s best meals so that you can pattern – and can value you just a few ringgits solely.
This place shall be buzzing with locals; don’t be afraid to ask them for a suggestion, or observe behind and order the identical. When shopping for meals for the little ones, keep in mind to ask the prepare dinner to not put any chili on their meals.
My favorite meals:
- Char Kway Teow (flat noodles fried with seafood)
- and Nasi Kandar: fragrant rice with curry or no matter.
We additionally caught the free shuttle bus to Little India. You should have a good time exploring laneways and discovering the right curry. The restaurateurs will enjoyment of making your children really feel at residence. And on the proper road meals stall, samosas for $1 anybody?
8. Store ’until you drop
It’s essential reap the benefits of nice procuring and low-cost costs.
Outlets typically open after 10am and are open until late at night time. Gurney Plaza is considered one of many upmarket trendy procuring centres the place you’ll find your brand-name shops with nice financial savings.
If you wish to store for souvenirs with the locals, head to the Komtar (the largest constructing in Penang) or Prangin Mall which is throughout the highway.
Right here you’ll find a myriad of fascinating outlets and boutique stalls. You’ll discover plenty of cool devices and knick-knacks for the children to have enjoyable with.
9. Catch the ferry to Butterworth
When you head to the ferry terminal in Georgetown, wander alongside the pier and meals stalls and bounce on a ferry – simply because you may.
You’ll almost definitely be the one foreigners on it, however it’s so a lot enjoyable for the children. They’ll sit and watch different large ferries move by and after about 20 minutes you can be at Butterworth, the mainland.
Whenever you get right here, it’s as much as you what you do. You possibly can flip round and return – the return journey is free – or you may keep and discover.
The Penang Hen Park is a brief taxi trip away and there’s a Temple subsequent door worthy of a glance.
You may additionally take the bus to Sunway Carnival Mall for some retail remedy. From right here you may catch a bus again to Georgetown which takes you throughout the bridge which hyperlinks the mainland (fairly a protracted journey, our youngsters fell asleep!).
10. Take a look at Journey Zone
Journey Zone is an amusement park that’s a part of the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort, however you don’t have to be a visitor to take your children right here.
This indoor playground is full with slides, ball pits, climbing frames, and extra. It’s the right place to take the children to expel some vitality.
Entrance charges value simply 40 MYR per baby for 2 hours and it’s open every single day from 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 6pm.
11. Study Chinese language communities in Malaysia on the Clan Jetties
Guests of Penang, whether or not you’re travelling with children or not, shouldn’t skip the jetty in Penang.
That is the place the Chinese language clans stay in a form of “Floating Village” because it sits on stilts above the water.
It started within the nineteenth century when many Chinese language immigrants got here to Malaysia, the place they constructed their houses in clans.
These tiny villages give guests an opportunity to see the outdated Chinese language traditions, as each clan has its personal temple.
There are six villages in complete, each subsequent to the opposite. Every village belongs to 1 clan.
12. Go to the Snake Temple
The Snake Temple is a small Chinese language temple within the Southwest nook of Penang.
It was in-built 1805 and devoted to Grasp Qingshui or Chor Soo Kong, a deified Buddhist monk.
It is a very particular and sacred temple in Malaysia, and it’s mentioned that devotees from so far as Singapore, Taiwan and China come right here on the monk’s birthday to pay their respects.
What’s fascinating concerning the temple is the snakes. The temple is full of smoke from burning incense, in addition to a wide range of pit vipers.
However due to the smoke, the vipers have develop into docile, and it’s believed they’re rendered innocent due to the sacred smoke. However simply to be protected, they’ve been de-venomed.
When you’re afraid of snakes, it’s in all probability not an attraction in Penang for you. And possibly don’t carry any toddlers inside…
13. Go mountaineering in Penang Nationwide Park
When you love mountaineering and getting out into nature, you’ll discover two glorious mountaineering trails in Penang Nationwide Park; the hike to Bukit Batu Hitam, or to the reservoir.
Situated simply 42 km from Georgetown, guests can escape the hustle and bustle of town to the solitude of nature in lower than an hour.
Penang Nationwide Park has lots of of species of birds, together with the White-bellied Sea Eagle, White-throated King Fisher, White-rumped Shama, and Emerald Dove.
When you’re fortunate, you might also see some squirrels, otters, deer, pangolins, and pythons.
Be sure you take a look at the cover walkway, which is 210 meters lengthy and sits excessive within the cover of Sg. Tukun.
The park can also be residence to the Turtle Conservation Centre, a Meromictic Lake, and the Muka Head Lighthouse.
14. Go to considered one of Penang Island’s seashores
Penang is broadly recognised for its cities, however not a lot for the seashores. The close by island of Langawai will get many of the credit score for having a few of Malaysia’s prime seashores.
However that doesn’t imply that there are usually not attractive seashores in Penang.
The preferred seaside in Penang is Monkey Seaside, which will get its title as a result of, you guessed it, monkeys stay there.
The monkeys are used to folks however do watch out with plastic baggage, bottles, and meals, as they are going to be more than pleased to take them out of your arms.
When you’ve seen sufficient monkeys, you’ll find a small bar on the seaside the place you should purchase refreshing juices, or benefit from the light waves of the seaside – because it’s in a bay, the waters listed below are normally very calm.
For a calming day on the seaside with out monkeys, head to the Batu Ferringhi Seaside in entrance of the Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort, as that is the place you’ll discover a good, clear seaside that you could swim in. It additionally has among the finest night time markets on the island.
15. Go to the Toy Museum
Youngsters will love exploring the Penang Toy Museum within the Teluk Bahang neighborhood, which has greater than 110,000 toys, dolls, miniatures, and different collectible toys on show.
Chances are you’ll even be shocked to study that it’s the biggest toy museum on the planet!
Come and discover what toys regarded like within the days of outdated. It is a nostalgic go to for fogeys, and an eye-opening expertise for youths.
16. Or to the Teddyville Museum
A singular attraction that your loved ones could also be excited by is Teddyville, a 9000 sq. toes museum devoted to teddy bears.
It’s the primary and solely teddy museum in Malaysia and has 30 themed shows of teddy bears, all reinacting moments in Penang historical past and showcasing the tradition.
It’s a singular technique to find out about Penang’s lifestyle.
17. Journey the slides at Escape Penang
If your loved ones love theme parks and journey, go to the Escape Theme Park, which holds not one however FOUR Guinness World Data – the longest tube water slide, the longest zip coaster, the longest tubby racer, and largest tipping bucket!
Not solely does it have file holding rides, however it’s an eco park, so it’s environmentally acutely aware too. It has 35 rides and actions to discover, and is surrounded by jungle.
If you wish to get your thrills on, problem one another to the 111 rope course within the jungle cover, Monkey Enterprise within the Adventureplay zone, or if it’s a scorching day, calm down within the Waterplay zone and splash round within the wave pool or trip down water slides.
Plan for a full day right here, there’s a lot to see and do.
Getting round Penang
Personally, I wouldn’t hassle with organised excursions. You will get bundle offers via numerous operators who will choose you up out of your lodge and take you to a few sights in someday – straightforward!
When you have got children you want that flexibility to remain longer or go away earlier, it’s very straightforward to flag down a taxi driver and negotiate his companies for the day.
This fashion you may see two or three sights in someday and your driver shall be ready patiently till you might be prepared for the following one or to return you to your lodge. He’ll allow you to go away the stroller and umbrellas within the boot too.
Alternatively, you should utilize rideshare app, Seize, and order taxis or motorbikes (or scooters). When you’ve got older youngsters, it’s possible you’ll need to go for bike – that is the way in which to get round in Malaysia, so no want to fret about whether or not it’s protected, the bike riders have in all probability been driving motorbikes since they have been 10 years outdated!
The bus system is so incredible and low-cost. You possibly can attain most locations by bus and the drivers are pleased to level you in the proper route. You should buy pay as you go bus tickets to provide you limitless hassle-free journey.
The place to remain in Penang
Penang is an island composed of 121 km², so ensuring you have got the proper base is important for profiting from your journey.
The place you keep in Penang shall be decided by the sights you need to see, however there’s two important neighborhoods that vacationers select to remain in, Batu Ferringhi and George City.
Right here’s a fast overview of every neighborhood.
Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Most individuals select to remain at Batu Ferringhi (the locals name it ‘foreigners rock’).
That is the place you’ll find all of the big-name resorts with child’s golf equipment, and buffet breakfasts, and most of them are proper on the seaside.
Whereas it’s a seaside and you’ll find many water sports activities, remember that it’s probably not a swimming seaside – the water just isn’t as clear as it’s possible you’ll count on it to be.
Batu Ferringhi comes alive at night time. The principle road is reworked right into a bustling market, with each sort of ware (together with real fakes) out there. Be at liberty to haggle and barter in your finest discount.
Don’t eat at your over-priced lodge restaurant, stroll to the Lengthy Seaside Hawker Centre with some spare change and you’ll expertise a few of Penang’s finest meals.
Batu Ferringhi is the most effective place to remain for households or teams of people that get pleasure from nightlife. When you determine to remain right here, please go away your resort to discover Penang. There are sights simply accessed from the bus cease in entrance of your lodge.
George City, Penang
In case you are after one thing much less ‘foreigners rock’ then George City is the place to remain. It’s grown in reputation through the years because it presents reasonably priced lodging choices in distinctive, conventional visitor homes.
Because the capital of Penang, it has one thing for everybody. It’s a place the place there’s a Catholic Church subsequent to a Mosque subsequent to a Temple.
In George City, there’s a vary of lodging out there for households from massive inns, homestays, and self-catering residences.
You gained’t discover a resort right here, however there’s something about dwelling amongst locals that actually does it for me. You possibly can even discover VRBO rental properties to provide you that extra native expertise.
George City is finest suited to {couples}, backpackers, solo vacationers, households, and properly, everybody!
Closing ideas
I really like Penang, it’s my religious residence. As you may see, there are many issues to do right here to maintain you and your loved ones busy.
I do hope your go to is as a lot enjoyable as ours, and that you simply find it irresistible as a lot as we did.
Be sure to keep for a minimum of one week, extra in case you are in a position. There’s a lot extra to see – and eat!
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What are you most trying ahead to doing in Penang together with your children? Tell us within the feedback.
