Introducing Pulau Penang
Back when the distinction between governments, armies and companies was less precise, the British-based East India Company sailed into Penang harbour and took over the 28-sq-km island as its first settlement on the Malay peninsula, a move intended to break Dutch Melaka’s monopoly of the spice trade.
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What evolved on the formerly unpopulated ‘Betel Nut Island’ was a bustling port. Entrepreneurs of every imaginable ethnicity, most notably Chinese, flocked to this new land, creating wealth and cultural hybrids. Like many company settlements, Penang wilted after the collapse of the British Empire. Today it’s become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Malaysia although this high-tech world is scarcely noticeable to the casual traveller. Beyond the capital Georgetown’s heat and decay are beach resorts, such as Batu Ferringhi, and the sleepy Malay fishing village of Teluk Bahang.
Last updated: Mar 24, 2009
Tips & articles
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How to find your favourite hawker stall in Penang
15 September 2011
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10 September 2011
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Live the dream in Penang’s heritage hotels
2 January 2011
Georgetown, the capital of Pulau Penang (Penang Island) in Malaysia became a Unesco World He...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Any bus/train from Penang to Melaka
by daycat 14 September 2011
KTM is the only one that does trans Malaysia service, I have not had an indepth look, (I don't think that they do the route direct), but…
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RE: working on the beach
by bandel4 08 September 2011
I would have to agree with No 2. Langkawi is probably your best bet and there are many places that you can go to and relax and work on…
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RE: ADVISE NEEDED FOR MALAYSIA/THAILAND TRAVELS
by tribolite 04 September 2011
Try to view the recent BBC tv travel programme"One Square Mile" short documentary on Penang island and you will see that it is more well…
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