Sitting above Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang Hill is Air Itam Dam. Commissioned in 1962, this dam forms a vital component of Penang’s water supply. There’s an easy going loop walk of 2.8km around the reservoir, which is paved all the way around. It’s slightly undulating, but relatively easy going. Aside from the section…
After being closed for almost nine years for extensive restoration and renovation, the Penang State Museum on Lebuh Farquhar finally reopened in July 2026. Housed in a beautiful historic building in the heart of George Town, the museum has been given a striking visual makeover, with technology very much embraced throughout the visitor experience. After…
Very few tourists venture over to Balik Pulau, on the ‘other’ side of Penang Island, but they’re missing out on seeing a very different side of the island, with wide, open rice paddies, quiet lanes and a more traditional local feel. One way to explore this quieter corner of Penang is by renting a bicycle,…
Penang offers a diverse spa scene, from high-end treatments at beachfront resorts in Batu Ferringhi to simple, budget-friendly massages. Whether you’re craving a luxurious escape or a simple, rejuvenating massage, Penang has a spa to suit every budget. From poolside pampering at five-star resorts in Batu Ferringhi and treatment rooms with panoramic views from George…
There’s no shortage of spas in Penang, but Tower Spa offers something few others can match: treatment rooms with panoramic views across the island. Located on the 67th floor of Komtar, the tallest building in Penang, Tower Spa combines sweeping vistas with a luxury spa experience in one of George Town’s most unique settings. Whether…
An easy-going circular walk from the top of Penang Hill’s Funicular along tarmac footpaths. Includes a half-way coffee stop. Most walks around Penang Hill involve arduous steps snaking towards the top. However, if you take the funicular up to Upper Station, there’s an easy-going circular route along an undulating tarmac path with only a short…
Penang is known worldwide for the quality and variety of its street food, so no visit to the island is complete without sampling a few of the most famous dishes. With this much choice, you might find it difficult knowing where to go for an authentic and comprehensive foodie experience, and it’s here that an…
May in Penang brings intense humidity, heat warnings, milky morning skies, evening storms, and fewer tourists. May in Penang marks the shift into the island’s mini-rainy season, when the weather becomes heavier, more humid, and heat warnings are not uncommon. Clear days are rare and the sky is almost always layered with cloud. Mornings often…
If you love cats and don’t mind places that feel a little rough around the edges, Cat Beach Penang is worth a stop. Hidden beside the sea in Teluk Bahang in the northwest of the island, this volunteer-run cat sanctuary is home to a large number of stray and rescued cats. It is not a…
Penang isn’t the easiest destination for wheelchair users, but with the right planning, there’s more that’s accessible than you might expect. Here’s what works, what to watch for, and how to get around. Penang isn’t typically considered an obvious wheelchair-friendly destination. Both in the tourist centres of George Town and Batu Ferringhi, footpaths can be…