First time in Penang and you don’t know where to start?
Welcome to Penang Insider, the top Penang blog written by a resident travel writer married to a local Penang girl.
Enjoy a decade of first-hand Penang experience from someone who knows the place inside out. We’ve been around long enough to know that Penang island is so much more than just a place to retire.
We are always chasing the offbeat and the secret, on a quest to stray off conventional expatriate routes.
Check out our ultimate guides for Penang first time visitors:
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Practical Guides
The Complete Guide for Backpackers in Penang: where to stay, eat...
Like it or not, in recent years backpackers flooded Penang as they travel between Thailand and Kuala Lumpur/Singapore. Penang, in fact, offers a free and 90-days...
Food
7 Best Places for Grocery Shopping and Organic Foods in Penang
Penang, the foodie heaven with an exciting nightlife and, for those living in north Malaysia, a real shopping magnet — do you already know what...
Lifestyle
Penang Nightlife: 31 Best Places to Go in George Town at...
“Penang's nightlife is slow and there’s nothing much to do”, I often hear Penang first-time visitors say. Really? Well, we’ve lived here long enough to...
Dining
The Best Steamboat in Penang? Give Hong Kong-style Chicken Pot a...
Steamboat in Penang is yet another variant of its mouthwatering choice of food. Steamboat, or hotpot, is a Chinese dish prepared by boiling aromatic...
Practical Guides
Best Things to Do in Penang for First Time Visitors
First time in Penang and you don’t know what to do? This page is a directory of all the essential things to do in...
Fitness
Hiking in Penang Hill at Moon Gate: the alternative trekking route...
If you are wondering what to do in Penang Hill, remember that it has plenty of hiking opportunities. We love hiking in Penang Hill:...
Arts
The Ultimate Guide to Avatar Penang Secret Garden
Did you know that Penang has a place that looks like the Tree of Souls of the blockbuster movie Avatar? It's Penang Avatar Secret Garden...
Food
Penang Food: 26 Must Eat Dishes to Start your Food Hunt
What to eat in Penang? Praised as one of the best places to eat in Asia, Penang food is rich and varied thanks to...
Flight of the Colugo: an exciting zipline course on top of...