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.

Chinese New Year: this is a time of joy for Chinese, when relatives travel long distances for reunions and friends and family present each other with small red packets containing cash (angpows), as tokens of prosperity for the coming year. Elaborate celebrations are held, featuring feasts and lion dances. The lion dances are seen as a means of warding off evil spirits and ushering in the new year.

Penang International Airport is located in the south of the island, in Bayan Lepas, and handles flights to international destinations such as Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Medan, Riau and Taipei. Penang Airport is the gateway to northern Malaysia. More than three million passengers arrive and depart here each year, heading to domestic and international destinations.

Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday; 09:30 to 11:30, Saturdays
Government Offices: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 22:00, daily
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 13:00, Saturdays