About Penang

Penang, known as “Pearl of the Orient” to many people, is one of the famous islands in South-East Asia. It is renowned for its culture, food and heritage. However, this is not all that she has to offer. Minutes away from the busy city center lies another attraction of Penang, her natural beauty. This turtle shaped island offers miles of idyllic beaches with swaying palm trees, and soothing hill for those who seek refuge from the tropical heat.

The capital of Penang, George Town was named after King George III of England. George Town was awarded city status by the royal charter on January 1st 1957. Located in the heart of the city is one of South East Asia’s largest collections of Pre-war buildings. In order to preserve the heritage of Penang, modern structures are built surrounding these pre-war buildings. Some of these structures are built more than 100 years ago. A number of effort and money has been invested by the state government and private investors to preserve the beauty of these structures. As a reward for the effort, Penang was formally inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7th July 2008.

The State of Penang or Negeri Pulau Pinang in Malay is made up of Penang Island and Province Wellesley, which is on the peninsula. In the year 1985, one of South East Asia’s longest bridges was build across the channel to connect the island with the peninsula. The bridge has great impact on the citizens and the development of the island. The bridge eases the transportation of raw materials and finished products to and from the factories located in the industrial free trade zone of Penang.

The Second Penang Bridge which connects Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the island, which officially opened in March 2014, is the longest in South-East Asia with the total length over water of 16.9km. The total estimated construction cost is RM 4.5 billion. The bridge will improve trade efficiency and enhance logistics system by providing better connectivity and accessibility to the Penang International Airport, boosting economic growth in Penang.

The development of Penang has also turned Penang into a shopping paradise. You will be able to find things like handicraft, jewellery, clothes and many more at attractive prices.