Beyond George Town’s well-trodden streets and the popular Penang Hill, Penang has a “hidden” side waiting to be discovered, offering visitors a different experience at the Pearl of the Orient during Visit Malaysia 2026.
Among the less-visited spots around is Yeoh Jetty, one of George Town’s historic Clan Jetties, where narrow wooden walkways lead visitors past homes still occupied by descendants of 19th-century Chinese immigrants.
Unlike the more frequented Chew Jetty, Yeoh Jetty has little tourist infrastructure, allowing visitors to experience a more understated side of the historic waterfront community.
“I almost walked past it. No signboard, no souvenir stalls, just the jetty and the families living there. That felt more real to me than anything else I saw in George Town,” said Sarah Lim, 24, a traveller from Kuala Lumpur.
At the end of the walkway stands Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple, also known as the Floating Temple, built directly over the water.
It’s a striking temple that takes on a totally different vibe at night as lanterns and lights reflect on the water below.
Further from central George Town, visitors can explore two distinctive Buddhist temple complexes directly opposite each other in Pulau Tikus (near the popular Gurney Drive), on land donated by England’s Queen Victoria back in the day.
Wat Chayamangkalaram, a Thai Buddhist temple, houses a 33m-long reclining Buddha, while the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple features ornate statues, covered walkways and intricate gold-leaf designs.
“I went for the reclining Buddha and ended up spending most of my time at the Burmese temple across the road. Entry is free, and two hours just went by,” said Hafiz Razak, 26, from Selangor.
For an early morning start, the Tanjung Bungah Market and Food Complex offers a glimpse into the island’s everyday food culture, with its covered market selling fresh produce, seafood and local delicacies, while adjoining food stalls serve Penang favourites such as char kway teow, laksa and roti canai.
At Teluk Bahang, the Cat Beach Sanctuary near Penang National Park is a novel experience, where rescued and stray cats find refuge at a volunteer-run seaside facility.
Visitors can make a small donation to feed the cats. The sanctuary’s simple and unpolished setting forms part of its appeal.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, the Penang River Cruise departing from Auto-City Juru provides another perspective of the state, taking visitors on a two-hour journey along a stretch of river from which hundreds of tonnes of rubbish have been removed.
The cruise passes mangroves, fishing villages and riverside homes, with macaques, monitor lizards and, occasionally, otters among the wildlife spotted along the route.
For visitors arriving by air, Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas serves as a convenient gateway to the island.
It is linked to eight major domestic airports, including key regional hubs in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as selected international hubs.
The airport also provides road access to major destinations, with George Town approximately 30 minutes away and Batu Ferringhi about 45 minutes away.
Direct flights from KL, served by both full-service and budget carriers, take under an hour, making Penang ideal for a quick getaway.
Overland, road and rail connections via Butterworth offer convenient alternatives for travellers from within Peninsular Malaysia.
“The flight was under an hour, and the e-hailing ride was easy to get from the airport. The fare to George Town was affordable too. It was the most hassle-free way to start a Penang trip,” said Aiman Danial, 25, from Johor.
Beyond its well-established heritage attractions, Penang offers Visit Malaysia 2026 visitors lesser-known cultural, culinary and nature experiences and a chance to look beyond the familiar and discover another side of the island. – Bernama
