Penang is one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations, where visitors enjoy lovely sand beaches, a range of water sports and activities, beautiful colonial architecture, fabulous multi-ethnic cuisines and traditional marketplaces. Sunny skies and pleasant temperatures throughout the year ensure Penang’s attractions can be enjoyed any month.

The island is separated from mainland Malaysia’s west coast by a shipping channel, five kilometres wide. International cargo vessels ply these waters, stopping at Penang’s sheltered harbour. In addition to its significance as a trading port, this well-known holiday destination attracts visitors from around the globe. In fact, the two million tourists who visit annually outnumber the residents by almost 2:1.

Georgetown, Penang’s capital city and commercial hub, is located at the island’s northeastern tip. The city (and island) became a British trading post in the late 18^th century and an important stop on the shipping route linking Asia and Europe.

Georgetown represents a successful blending of cultures: Chinese and Indian immigrants have developed communities here in harmony with the native Malay population. Evidence of the multi-cultural mix is seen everywhere, from the architecture to the cuisine. The island’s architecture is fascinating, and visitors will see colourful and ornate Chinese Peranakan structures alongside colonial-style buildings.

This island, often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ is the perfect one-stop destination for a holiday filled with interesting historical attractions, numerous choices in entertainment, an amazing variety of cuisines, and top-notch hotels and resorts set along long stretches of sandy beach. History and architecture buffs, nature reserve enthusiasts and sun worshippers alike will find what they’re looking for in Penang. The island is equally suitable for a romantic honeymoon as it is for a family holiday.

Accommodation is concentrated in Georgetown and at the popular beach resorts along the north coast of the island, such as Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi. The capital of the island caters for all tastes and budgets with everything from large hotel chains to cosy lodgings. At the beach, resorts see a lot of package tourists as well as weekenders. Some of the more luxurious accommodation options offer great deals, meaning you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the colonial ambience.

Penang was ruled by the Sultan of Kedah for centuries, until Captain Francis Light landed on the island’s shores on behalf of the East India Company. In 1786, Light managed to acquire possession of the island of Penang and a small strip of the mainland opposite the island, where Butterworth stands today. He promised the local Sultan protection against invading forces, and renamed the island as Prince of Wales Island to commemorate the occasion of the Prince's birthday.

Not long after his arrival, Captain Light founded a settlement, which he named Georgetown in honour of King George III of England. To encourage expansion of the settlement, new arrivals were allowed to claim as much land as they were able to clear. In addition, Light declared the port to be duty-free, which attracted immigrants from other parts of Asia. In less than 15 years, the town’s population had grown to 10,000.

Georgetown’s importance grew in 1805 when it became capital of the newly-established Straits Settlements, which included Melaka and Singapore. The city’s importance dwindled in a relatively short period, however, and by 1830 Singapore had become more prominent than Penang. The result was that Georgetown and all of Penang were relegated to the status of a colonial backwater.

In the early 19^th century, Penang became a staging point in the opium trade between China and India. The East India Company auctioned gambling and brothel licenses to entrepreneurs interested in setting up these types of businesses in the colony. Eventually, revenue from gambling and prostitution accounted for 60 per cent of all revenue in Penang.

Penang prospered as a colony during the period when the rubber and tin industries flourished, and continued to do so until the outbreak of WWII. From 1941 to 1945 the Japanese took control of the island, effectively putting an end to the era of prosperity. The island was bombed numerous times during the war, but most of the important historic buildings and monuments were left untouched.

Visitors today are drawn to Penang by the wealth of colonial architecture and the rich multi-cultural heritage that is evident, particularly in Georgetown. The state’s current population is over one million, mostly of Chinese, Indian and Malay ancestry. Rather than trade, the island is better known today for its beaches and wealth of architectural gems. For more than two centuries Penang has managed to preserve its colonial heritage. It’s the unique blend of modern amenities with old world charm and great beaches that brings in over two million visitors each year.