Visit, Discover & Enjoy Penang, and Everywhere Else!

Hello and welcome to Penang Travel Tips, the guide to visit, discover and enjoy everything about Penang, and my personal online encyclopedia of the world!

B. Melayu

My name is Timothy Tye, or simply Tim. Because of this website, people call me "Mr Penang." Penang Travel Tips is my own online encyclopedia of Penang and everywhere else on earth. This website has a Sight Directory of Penang listing 3554 Penang sights, a Business Directory of Penang listing 202 types of businesses in Penang, and a Street Directory listing 784 streets in Penang. And that's not all. Also within this website is an online, audio-enabled Penang Hokkien Dictionary with over 5,500 words.

The Penang Travel Tips website was started on 26 July, 2008, when I relocated my Penang content from my earlier site, AsiaExplorers. Over time however, more and more non-Penang content was moved across to be housed here. As of 22 March, 2017, it has 20,018 pages and receives some 2,000,000 page views per month. On 1 September 2017, I split this website into two, with non-Penang content gradually moved to my new Timothy Tye website. As of 12 November, 2017, all my Asia content has been moved, with relocation of non-Asia content planned for a later date.

Penang Travel Tips was created for one purpose: to satisfy my curiosity about the world around me, but it has since grown to become my personal encyclopedia. The information found here goes back to 2003 and has been updated numerous times. Every page is built like a layer cake, with information added to it through countless updates. The result is a body of knowledge that has become a useful source of reference material not only for casual tourists, but also by the locals, students, teachers, journalists, just about anybody seeking fast information about Penang and elsewhere.

 Latest Pages on Tim's Encyclopedia

How to reach Penang

You can reach Penang by taking the plane, arriving at the Penang International Airport; by driving, usually using the North-South Expressway; by taking the Electric Train Service trains; by taking the ferry from Langkawi and Medan; and from taking cruiseliners.

Where to stay in Penang

I have stayed, tried out and experienced the hospitality of the following hotels in Penang, and so I can share with you, with words and pictures, how it is like staying there. In alphabetical order, they are Areca Hotel, Cititel Penang, Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang, Eastin Hotel Penang, Flamingo Hotel By The Beach Penang, GLOW Penang Hotel, Golden Sands Resort Penang by Shangri-La, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Hotel Equatorial Penang, Hotel Neo+ Penang, Iconic Hotel Penang, Ixora Hotel Penang, Kimberley Hotel Georgetown, Lexis Suites Penang, Mei Hotel Penang, Northam All Suite Hotel, Olive Tree Hotel Penang, Royale Chulan Penang, Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Sunrise Gurney 68PG, Sunway Hotel Georgetown, Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya, The Edison George Town, The Light Hotel, The Wembley Penang, Vistana Penang Bukit Jambul and Yeng Keng Hotel.

 Top Tips for Enjoying Penang

No time to read? Let me give you fast tips to enjoy Penang!

 Getting to know Penang

Of the almost 20,000 pages on this website, some 7,000 is about Penang and just Penang. So, that's a lot about Penang to discover. Administratively, Penang State is divided into five main districts called the Northeast District (Daerah Timur Laut), Southwest District (Daerah Barat Daya), North Penang Mainland (Seberang Perai Utara), Central Penang Mainland (Seberang Perai Tengah) and South Penang Mainland (Seberang Perai Selatan). To help you find your way, I have grouped the places in Penang by the following major towns.

Timothy Tye's Penang Eating Tips

Location of places in Penang on the map

 List of Places in Penang

 List of Roads in Penang

The roads in Penang that I have described are marked on in the map below. You can click on the highlighted road to get more details about it. Expressways are shown in green while other roads in red.

 Penang Visitor Information

If you are planning a trip to Penang, here's the information to help you plan your visit!

 Exploring Penang

Whether you plan to explore Penang on your own, by taking public transport, or rented car, or even walk about the city, the information is here. Also, if you are planning to engage a tour guide to show you around, the information is also here.

 Going on Foot in George Town

George Town - the inner city anyway - is a very walkable place, especially during the weekends. It is possible to explore and discover George Town on foot, or you may also hire a bicycle or tricycle and ride around.

 Learn Penang Hokkien

Penangites are incredibly proud that we speak our own variant of Hokkien called Penang Hokkien. To ensure that our Penang Hokkien do not die away, we have enthusiastically put together our own online dictionary which (as of Feb 2017) has 5766 entries, with more added over time. Do visit the dictionary by clicking on Dictionary.

Dictionary

Want to learn Penang Hokkien? We have a free course to teach you the language, just go to Learn Penang Hokkien right here.

 Explore the States of Malaysia

There's more to Penang Travel Tips than just Penang. I have described the entire country. Select any state and start exploring!

 Federal Territories of Malaysia

 Cities of Malaysia

 Major Towns and Destinations of Malaysia

 The Whole Wide World at Your Fingertips!

This website covers not just Penang, and not just Malaysia. I have described the entire world, and the information is shared here to you. Feel free to make use of my expanding body of knowledge. Pages are being updated on a regular basis.

What's cooking ...

Top Tips on Penang

Information for selecting a hotel in Penang

Categories of eateries in Penang

Bistros, Chicken Rice Shops, Chinese Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Dessert outlets, Dim Sum Restaurants, Food Courts, Hawker Centres, Hawker Stalls, Indian Restaurants, Italian Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Malay Restaurants, Nasi Kandar Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurant Chains, Roadside Hawkers, Seafood Restaurants, Steamboat Restaurants, Thai Restaurants and Vegetarian Restaurants.

Information on Penang Food

Categories of sights in Penang

If you operate a business with an address in Malaysia, submit this form to have your business listed in my directory. Listing is free of charge.

7-Eleven Stores, Accounting Firms, Acupuncture Centres, Advertisement Billboard Makers, AEON Malls, Aid Organisations, Air-Conditioner Sellers & Repairers, Alternative Medicine Centres, Anakku Stores, Antiques, Apartments, Aquariums, Architects, Army Camps, Art Centres, Art Galleries, Associations, Auditoriums, Auto Gates, Auto Repair Shops, Auto Service Centres, Auto Spray Painting Shops, Baba Nyonya, Baby Products, Bakeries, Baking Supplies, Banks, Barbers, Bathroom Fixtures, Batik, Beaches, Beauty Parlours, Bee Cheng Hiang Barbecued Meat, Bicycles, Blood Test Labs, Books, Book Stores, Boutiques, Brassware, Bridal Houses, Bridges, Buddhist Temples, Bus Terminals, Butchers, Cameras, Car Accessories, Car Air-Conditioners, Car Parks, Car Rentals, Car Repairs, Car Showrooms, Car Wash, Carpets, Caterers, Cemeteries, Child-Care Centres, Chinese Medical Halls, Chinese Physicians, Chinese Prayer Articles, Chinese Temples, Chinese Wedding Masters of Ceremony, Chiropractors, Churches, Clan Associations, Clan Temples, Cleaning Services, Clinics, Clocks, Clock Towers, Coins, Colleges, Commercial Properties, Computer Hardware, Computer Repair, Condominiums, Confinement Centres, Construction Companies, Construction Material, Consulates, Consultancy Firms, Contractors, Convention Centres, Cooking Gas, Cosway Sales Centres, Crockery Dealers, Curtains, Dance Studios, DAP Service Centres, Dental Clinics, Department Stores, Design Agencies, Developers, Dialysis Centres, DIGI Stores, Driving Schools, Econsave Super/Hypermarkets, Electrical Appliances, Electricians, Emcees (Masters of Ceremony), Equipment Suppliers, Event Management, Express Bus Companies, Expressways, Exterminators, Factories, Fashion Accessories, Financial Institutions, Fire Stations, Fitness Centres, Flats, Flea Markets, Flooring, Florists, Flyer Distributors, Food Deliverers, Foot Reflexology, Forest Parks, Forts, Fountains, Framing, Freight Forwarders, Funeral Parlours, Furniture, Garden Centres, Georgetown Pharmacy outlets, Giant Super/Hypermarkets, Gift Shops, Golf Courses, Government Buildings, Government Departments, Government Quarters, Graves, Green Building Consultants, Guardian Pharmacy outlets, Gurdwaras, Gyms, Hair-Dressing Salons, Handicrafts, Happy Mart outlets, Hardware Stores, Heavy Machineries, Heritage Sites, Hindu Temples, Historic Buildings, Home Furnishing, Hospitals, Housing Estates, Hypermarkets, Indian Fashion Accessories, Industrial Parks, Infrastructures, Insurance, Interior Decorators, International Schools, Internet Cafes, Internet Service Providers, Islands, IT Solutions, Jetties, Jewellery, Keadilan Service Centres, Kindergartens, Kitchens, Kitchen Utensils, Klinik Kesihatan (Government Clinics), Laundrettes, Law Firms, Learning Centres, Libraries, Lighthouses, Lighting, Liquor, Localities, Locksmiths, Low-Cost Flats, Luggage Bags, Luggage Repair, Maid Agencies, Madrasahs, Manicurists, Markets, Massage Centres, Massage by the Blind, Mausoleums, Maxis Customer Centres, Medical Labs, Medical Specialists, Medicated Tea Stalls, Metal Works, Mini Markets, Mobile Motorcycle Mechanics, Mobile Phone Shops, Modern Buildings, Money Changers, Monuments, Moral Uplifting Societies, Mosques, Motorcycles, Motorcycle Repair, Moving Companies, Multi-Purpose Halls, Multimedia, Museums, Music Schools, Musical Instruments, Nature Sites, Neighbourhoods, Newsagents, Newspapers, Night Markets, Novelties, Nurseries, Nursing Homes, Nutritional Products, Odd Job Workers, Office Equipment, Old Folks Homes, Opticians, Organic Food, Organisations, Palaces, Pawn Shops, Parks, Pedestrian Bridges, Pedestrian Malls, Penang Assemblies, Pet Grooming, Pet Shops, Petrol Stations, Pharmacies, Photo Studios, Photocopiers, Plant Nurseries, Plastic Surgeons, Playing Fields, Plumbers, Police Stations, Post Offices, Precision Instruments, Print Shops, Private Colleges, Public Health Clinics, Public Services Departments, Public Toilets, Railway Stations, Rattan, Real Estate Agencies, Recreation Clubs, Recruitment Agencies, Recycling Centres, Refrigerator Repair, Residential Properties, Rivers, Roof Repair, Roundabouts, Rubber Stamp Makers, Schools, Scrap Metal Traders, Security Services, Self-Development Centres, Serviced Apartments, Shoe Stores, Shops, Shopping Malls, Singer Stores, Skin Specialists, Spas, Skyscrapers, Specialty Stores, Sports Goods, Stadiums, Stationeries, Stock Brokers, Supermarkets, Suraus, Swimming Pools, Tailors, Tea Shops, Temples, Tesco Stores, Textiles, Tiles, Titbits, TM Point outlets, Tourist Attractions, Tourist Products, Towns, Toy Shops, Tua Pek Kong Temples, Trainers, Transport Companies, Travel Agencies, Traveller Knickknacks, Tuition Centres, Tyre, Undertakers, Universities, Used Car Dealers, Veterinary Clinics, Villages, Washing Machine Repair, Waterfalls, Waterfront Promenades, Wats (Thai Buddhist Temples), Watsons outlets, Web Design, Wedding Bands, Wedding Banquet Venues, Wedding Photographers, Wholesalers, and World War II Fortifications.

Planning your trip to Penang

Introducing Penang

Administration of Penang State

The executive authority of the Penang State Government is under the Penang State Executive Council, which since the 2018 State Election is headed by the Right Honourable Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang.

The Penang State Legislative Assembly is a unicameral 40-seat assembly which convenes at the State Assembly Building on Light Street. Members of the assembly are called State Assemblymen (Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri or ADUN). As of the 2018 State Election, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition commands a supermajority in the legislature, with 37 out of the 40 seats, comprising 19 from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), 10 from the People's Justice Party (PKR), 2 from the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PPBM) and 2 from the National Trust Party (Amanah). The state opposition is made up of 2 seats from the National Front (BN) and 1 from the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

Penang State is divided into five districts namely Daerah Timur-Laut and Daerah Barat-Daya on Penang Island, and Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan on Penang Mainland.

The local governments of Penang State comprises the Penang Island City Council, which administers the City of Penang Island, inclusive of George Town, headed by the Mayor of the City of Penang Island, and the Seberang Perai Municipal Council, which administers Penang Mainland, headed by the President of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council. At time of this update (May 2018), the Mayor of the City of Penang Island is Mr Yew Tung Seang while the President of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council is Mr Rozali Mohamud.

Places to get Tourist Brochures in Penang

Taking the Bus in Penang

Other Public Transport in Penang

Driving in Penang

Cycling in Penang

Postal Services in Penang

Vital Contacts in Penang

Activities in Penang

Do not know what to do during your spare time? In Penang, there's lots of opportunity for recreation. The following is just a sample of activities that you can join while you're here!

Performing Arts of Penang

Culture of Penang

The People of Penang

Get to know Penang Hokkien

Travelling outside Penang

Just so you know, Penang Travel Tips is no longer just about Penang. I am in the process of beefing up information on all the major cities in Malaysia as well, to give you a one-stop location for all place information of the country.

Categories of sights in Kuala Lumpur

Accounting Firms, Acupuncture Centres, Administrative Divisions, Advertising Agencies, AEON Malls, Aid Organisations, Air Conditioner Repair, Antiques, Apartments, Art Galleries, Assemblies, Auditoriums, Auto Gates, Auto Repair, Auto Spray Painting, Baby Products, Bakeries, Baking Supplies, Brethren Assemblies, Bridges, Buddhist Temples, Bus Terminals, Car Parks, Car Showrooms, Cemeteries, Child Care Centres, Chinese Restaurants, Chinese Temples, Churches, Clan Associations, Clinics, Clock Towers, Coffee Shops, Colleges, Commercial Properties, Condominiums, Convention Centres, Demolished Buildings, Dental Clinics, Department Stores, Development Projects, Dialysis Centres, Embassies, Entertainers, Event Management Companies, Eye Specialists, Fire Stations, Flats, Florists, Food Courts, Forest Parks, Fountains, Furniture Shops, Giant Hypermarkets, Golf Courses, Government Buildings, Graves, Gurdwaras, Handicraft Centres, High-Rise Buildings, Hindu Temples, Historic Buildings, Hospitals, Hotels, Housing Estates, Hypermarkets, Important Buildings, Indian Restaurants, International Schools, Jewellery Shops, KFC outlets, Libraries, Localities, LRT Stations, Malay Restaurants, Markets, Mass Transit, Mausoleums, , Mini Markets, Modern Buildings, Monorail Stations, Monuments, Mosques, MRT Stations, museums, Musical Instruments, Nasi Kandar Restaurants, Neighbourhoods, Night Clubs, Organisations, Pakistani Restaurants, Palaces, Parks, Pedestrian Malls, Playing Fields, Police Stations, Post Offices, Print Shops, Properties, Restaurants, Rivers, Roundabouts, Schools, Seafood Restaurants, Second-Hand Car Dealers, Shopping Malls, Skyscrapers, Souvenir Shops, Specialty Shops, Stadiums, Stationery Shops, Street Art, Streets, Supermarkets, Suraus, Thai Restaurants, Tourist Attractions, Train Stations, Trains, Universities, Utility Plants, Villages and Waterfalls.

 QR Codes for Mobile Users

If you're a smartphone user, use the following QR codes to transfer the links of the most important pages of this website from your computer to your smartphone.

Rapid Penang Bus Routes


Penang Hokkien Dictionary

Updates on the Penang Travel Tips Homepage

7 May 2016
After years of aligning the homepage in two columns, I decided to simplify the homepage to just one column, and make the information much easier for readers to find.

All about me

Past trips to Penang