Once known as the Alcatraz of Malaysia, Pulau Jerejak has been transformed into a haven for holiday-goers. BACK in the 1960s to the early part of 90s, if someone told you “if you break the law, you will be sent to Pulau Jerejak”, that was considered a dire warning or a threat. These days, though, [...]

To get to know a place well, there’s no better way than to stroll along the streets. EWE PAIK LEONG picks six streets that presents the many facets of George Town, Penang. THE multi-faceted streets of George Town are as varied in atmosphere as the ingredients of Penang rojak. Here are six popular streets that [...]

Built between 1808 and 1810, Fort Cornwallis is situated on the Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah road which is actually the esplanade. Its main cannon, Seri Rambai, was originally from Johor but ended up in Penang in the 17th Century. Come evening, diners who throng the Kompleks Makanan Medan Renong here for scrumptious mee udang, pasembur, [...]

Prawns, breadfruit, deer and an old pirate’s grave. These are just a few of the things that make a trip to Pulau Aman worthwhile for EWE PAIK LEONG. FROM a distance, one could see colorful boats moored at the jetty, gently bobbing up and down. Scattered huts dot the land between the hills and the [...]

Lebuh Pasar is the heart of George Town’s Little India. It intersects Lebuh Penang (aka Penang Street). A distinct festive air hangs in these two streets as Bollywood music blares from VCD stores and five-foot ways are choked with mannequins draped in sarees and piles of cook-ware made of clay and aluminum. Hawkers do a [...]

Think hawker food, think Persiaran Gurney! Persiaran Gurney is also referred to as Gurney Drive. Most Penangites called Gurney Drive a millionaire’s row seafront promenade due to the fact that it’s a 2km seafront promenade lined with cafes, million dollar condominiums, 5 stars hotels and high class restaurants. For a detail description of Persiaran Gurney, [...]

Considered the heart of Chinatown, this former red-light district, is now a pedestrian mall. Cheap shoes, handbags, ceramics, household and electrical products can be found here. For excellent Indian Muslim food, Hameediyah is second to none. Established in the 1900s, it serves delicious murtabak (chicken, beef and mutton), chicken briyani and beef rendang. Map, Location [...]

Economy is the keyword in Lebuh Chulia or Chulia Street. Believe it or not, this street is popular with backpackers from all over the world. A drive down Lebuh Chulia reveals nothing extraordinary save for rows of colonial shophouses with five-foot ways. However, this once-sleazy sailors’ haunt with its many bars, is a hive of [...]

Dubbed Penang’s “Street of Religious Harmony”, this road is home to Masjid Kapitan Keling, Kuan Yin Teng and the Sri Mahamarriam Temple. Masjid Kapitan Keling dates back to the 19th Century. Its original structure was built by Indian Muslim settlers, who named it after their headman, Cauder Mohideen. The Magnificent Kapitan Keling Mosque Just a [...]

Ku Din Ku Meh, the former Raja of Satun in the 19th Century, would turn in his grave if he could see the hustle and bustle that’s Penang Road now. His mansion, which is now a boutique hotel, is located in the upper part of the road. Home to several other hotels, this stretch of [...]

The newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel in Penang is a living museum of rock memorabilia. WHEN I told a friend, who plays in a band, that I was off to Penang for a two-night stay at Hard Rock Hotel, the dude quipped: “Bring along an empty guitar case.” “Why?” I asked. “So that you can carry [...]

The Penang Botanic Garden is located in Georgetown in Penang, near Tanjung Tokong and close to Gurney Drive. It’s a famous place not only in Penang but throughout the country. The Botanic Garden is ideal for recreation, relaxation, peace and tranquility. You can hear the sound of waterfalls gushing from their source in the hills [...]

A lot of people including the Penangites don’t really know there is a small aquarium located in Batu Maung, Penang Island. Even though the aquarium is small, if you live in Penang and like aquatic life, you could probably pay a visit to this place and you might like some of the fish there. I [...]

The Kek Lok Si temple at night is just as beautiful as it is during the day. I was up at the hill paying a visit to the well-known Kek Lok Si temple during Chinese New Year celebration. As Chinese New Year lasts 15 days, the visiting hours of the temple is extended to mid-night [...]

Esplanade is a very famous place in Penang island. Sadly, although I have been in Penang Island for nearly 2 years, I haven’t really paid a thorough visit to Esplanade. I mean I have been to this place but it’s just that my visits had always been in a hurry and because of that, I [...]