Penang, Malaysia | A World Heritage Site with Stunning Scenery Everywhere You Look

Malaysia is a great choice for your first trip abroad. It offers great value, a high sense of security, and familiar food and language. It's a comfortable place to vacation, with diverse historical and cultural attractions, rich natural landscapes, and a mix of mountains and seas. Transportation and visas are also easy to arrange. 1. Malaysia is geographically and ethnically close to us, with many Chinese people living and settling there. Penang has the largest concentration of Chinese people in Malaysia. You can use Chinese directly for taxis, dining, and asking for directions, and simple English will also suffice. 2. Malaysian visas can be applied for online three days in advance. It's very convenient and free, allowing for a 30-day stay. Generally, 2–3 days in each city is enough. For those who love history and culture and want a more in-depth experience, you can spend 4–5 days in Penang. I've been there twice myself, once for five days and the second time for three days, and I'd love to go a third time. 3. The best time to visit Penang is June–July because that's durian season! You can eat all the durian you want for just a few dozen Malaysian ringgit, picking from the abundance on the mountainsides! Another highly recommended time to visit is during the Lunar New Year. Penang is very lively during this period, with various performances starting from the eve of the New Year, all based on thousands of years of tradition: Yangge dance, stilt walking, lion dance, lantern festivals, fireworks... Kek Lok Si Temple is said to be beautifully decorated and brightly lit all night long. Kek Lok Si is also a traditional Chinese Buddhist temple, hundreds of years old, located on Penang Hill. You can visit it together. 4. Penang's streets are perfect for city walks. No matter where you walk in George Town, history is above you and beauty is below, with mountains, seas, blue skies, and white clouds. The Peranakan Mansion showcases the descendants of the Chinese who traveled south to Southeast Asia. The girls born from intermarriage with Malays are called "Nyonya", and the boys are called "Baba". Visit Khoo Kongsi, the Clan Jetties, the financial district, Fort Cornwallis, Armenian Street (mural street), Little India, the fire station, the food museum, and finally, enjoy two bowls of sweet soup at Four Seasons Dessert. 5. Visit the Goddess of Mercy Temple by the sea. The God of Wealth statue is a popular photo spot (photos only, no worshiping). There's also a nice seaside restaurant nearby where you can relax and enjoy the view all afternoon. There are many large reefs by the sea where you can sit or lie down. At the entrance to the beach, there are also several snack bars run by owners originally from Guangdong and Fujian, offering delicious fried noodles, fried rice, white coffee, and more.