The Waltzing Routes of Penang with Promising Opportunities

As soon as Travel And Tour World arrived in Penang, the smooth and verdant landscape led us to the Setia SPICE Convention Centre—the official venue for the event. After the press event, the first stop was in the northern region and that was The Penang International Convention, Cultural & Arts Centre or popularly known as PICCA. This is a relatively new convention centre that ages not more than three years. The convention center comprises three main halls that could fit up to ten thousand people and additional function rooms for 1000 people. The architectural brilliance emanated from nooks and crannies of the centre.

From there we were taken to the Kampung Agong lodged in Penanga. Having its roots in 1942, the agro-themed park was serenely evocative as soon as we walked in. Running across lush paddy fields and rural vignettes, they monitor and teach children how to plant paddy and catch fish, and this destination thrives as a small gateway for people who want to run away from the mechanised city-laden life. We boarded a tram and it took us through long stretches of land where only birdsongs rang like lullabies as they filled the ears. We got a good look at the traditional huts also known as kampung and the rice barns, which are nothing short of a marvel emblematic of Malay architecture.

This place has been built keeping in mind the GenZ and millennial trend of social media phenomena. Perfectly tailored for instagrammable photos, a gamut of things strive here from bird nests, to giant swings and white wooden grand pianos. There is a mini zoo filled with racoons, emu, birds and horses perfect for people who are animal lovers. And that was how our Day 1 ended on a serene note.

On Day 2 we embarked on a journey to Penang Hill, popular for having rainforests over 130 million years,

on the funicular trams. This Swiss designed cable tram took us uphill in a very smooth route and almost in no time. There we went to the Edgecliff Gallery which was actually built in 1937 by a Scottish architect called JC Miller as a private bungalow known as Braeside. Then as time passed Penang Government found it appropriate to acquire it for setting it up as an education centre and a gallery. There our nice guide gave us an insight into a lot of things like:

About the greater racket-tailed drongo, which is a small bird but very smart. In case of imminent danger it informs other animals by setting out an alarm. However, the drongo has been observed to use this alarm to its advantage, misleading unsuspecting animals away from food sources. As other creatures scurry in fear, thinking danger is near, the drongo swoops in, claiming the abandoned prize for itself. This blend of resourcefulness and guile makes the drongo a fascinating example of nature’s wit, showcasing how survival often relies on more than just strength — but also on the art of strategic deception.

Then our guide told us about the 2500 species of flora and fauna on Penang Hill. Some among them were the tiger-striped tiger orchids and are regarded as the largest orchid species. The gallery featured numerous stories carved with vignette-laden facets as they took us back to the 1700s. It emanated the evolution of buildings, the charming bungalows and the heritage buildings. The air bore the waltzing paraphernalia of bygone times.

From there we were taken to Kek Lok Si Temple, also known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss. This is regarded as one of the biggest temples of Malaysia. One particularly interesting aspect of this temple is that almost every year monks from Thailand walk to this temple. Upon stepping there it would not escape anyone’s notice of the 120-feet tall Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. This was established by Venerable Beow Lean in 1891, with prayer halls, clock towers, and big gardens. A tortoise pond is perched at the entrance, embracing visitors, its water teeming with hundreds of these ancient creatures, a living testament to time. Located in Air Itam, the reason being its perfect feng shui, a place where the land and air align in peaceful harmony.

The day ended with our visit to the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, which boasts stunning vistas of Penang’s coastline and the iconic Penang Bridge; it is a marvel to step into. This 10,000 sqm facility offers a column-free hall with the capacity to host up to 10,000 attendees, making it an ideal location for MICE events.

Day 3 began with the visit to Entopia, also known as the Penang Butterfly Farm, which was founded by David Goh and has captivated over 5 million visitors. Entopia’s heart, Natureland, is a dynamic garden teeming with 15,000 free-flying butterflies representing over 60 species. As we walked through those tunnelled rooms, we saw more than 200 plant species, cascading waterfalls, serene ponds, and captivating themed zones such as Pandora Forest and Underground Mysteries.

Next stop was Tropical Spice Garden, abounding with spices and lushness. There we strolled through the collection of herbs, spices and tropical gardens, where a gamut of informative aspects transferred us back to the old practice of Ayurveda. There were about 500 species of plants which had medicinal, culinary and cultural usages that gave us insight into the history of spices, sustainable gardening and, furthermore, eco-friendly practices.

Our last stop was the famous UNESCO-certified Georgetown. As rain graced us, the streets of Penang turned into a gipsy lullaby; we huddled into the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where a crossbreeding of British and Chinese culture had led to its inception in the 1890s. Also known as the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, it features the Straits Eclectic architecture. As we walked across the rooms, the whiff of lost time was carved across the European, Chinese and Malay design elements. The mansion exhibits intricate wood carvings, patterned floor tiles, and cast-iron railings imported from Scotland, reflecting the affluence and sophisticated preferences of the Peranakan elite. Within its walls, the mansion preserves antique furniture, traditional attire, jewellery, and household artefacts, providing insight into the daily routines, customs, and heritage of the Baba-Nyonya community.

Penang is a hidden gem that needs to be explored, made part of the itineraries of travellers, and celebrated. One of the safest places with a zero crime rate also adds up to being another reason for tourists. From rich architecture to serene shorelines to urban cityscapes, the city is an exemplar of modern sustainability.

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