One of Asia's most famous islands, Penang is very much a mix of a bustling heritage city with green hills and golden sandy beaches.

The capital, Georgetown, has a wealth of historical sights including the City Hall, a fine building of Victorian architecture built in 1903 and a reminder of the colonial era in Penang; the Penang Museum, built in 1965 and housing a collection of priceless artefacts and state treasures; Kapitan Keling Mosque, the largest and oldest mosque in Penang, built in 1801; the Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Penang adorned with many sculptures and dating back to 1833, and Kek Lok Si a finely-crafted Buddhist temple, located on a hill in Ayer Hitam. It has a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere enhanced by its historic streets and night markets.

The most beautiful of Penang's beaches and islands are located on its northern side. The scenic beach of Teluk Bahang is peaceful and shady, perfect for a weekend retreat to get away from the crowds. Teluk Kampi is the longest stretch of beach in the Penang National Park and offers a variety of activities such as swimming, camping and bird-watching. Between February and April, this beach becomes a nesting site for sea turtles.