Penang

Combine three distinct and ancient cultures with indigenous and colonial architecture, shake for a few centuries, and garnish with some of the best food in Southeast Asia, and you've got the irresistible urban cocktail that is George Town.

The timeworn shophouses of the Unesco World Heritage zone will likely spark a desire in some visitors to move straight to Pulau Pinang's most attractive city. Even more impressive is the movie-set-like mishmash of Chinese temples in Little India, mosques in Chinatown, and Western-style skyscrapers and shopping complexes gleaming high above British Raj–era architecture.

The eclectic jumble makes this a city that rewards explorers. Get lost in the maze of chaotic streets and narrow lanes, passing shrines decorated with strings of paper lanterns and fragrant shops selling Indian spices; or enjoy George Town's burgeoning street-art scene, its modern cafes and fun bars.

At 23 sq km, this is Malaysia's smallest national park, but it's beach-fringed forests are home to silvered leaf monkeys, flying lemurs, leopard cats and abundant bird, amphibian and reptile species. You can easily fill a day with activities such as jungle walks and boat trips to serene golden-sand beaches. Bus 101 runs here from central George Town. From the park entrance, a return boat trip should cost RM100 to Teluk Duyung (Monkey Beach), RM200 to Pantai Kerachut and RM220 to Teluk Kampi.

Facing a beautiful white-sand beach on the 101 bus route, this beautifully landscaped oasis preserves 500 species of tropical flora, spread across 200 fragrant hectares. Armed with an audio guide (included with admission), you can wander independently among lily ponds and terraced gardens, learning about local spices, medicinal plants and deadly natural poisons. Alternatively, join one of three daily guided tours (9am, 11am and 1.30pm).

The garden also offers well-regarded cooking courses and superior Thai restaurant Tree Monkey.

Bordering one of Penang's two virgin rainforest reserves, the spine of this fantastic addition to the Penang Hill experience is a finely crafted 1.6km nature trail. Along it you can access suspended walkways (thrillingly high up in the canopy) and pocket gardens featuring different species of tropical plants. You can explore on your own, but you'll learn more by joining one of the guided tours; ask ahead about night walks and tours aimed at children.

Meaning 'on the other side of the island', Balik Pulau is Penang Island's main inland outpost. It's a busy market town with a strip of charming old shophouses surrounded by rice fields, and durian, clove and nutmeg orchards.

South of the town is the sleepy fishing village Kampung Pulau Betong, home to wooden houses built on stilts, flowerbeds and colourful boats bobbing in the harbour. The village is named after the tiny uninhabited island of Pulau Betong that is directly opposite the harbour. Nearby is Pantai Pasir Panjang, one of the island's best beaches.

Just north of Balik Pulau is Sungai Pinang, a hilly, lush area associated with agriculture, especially Penang's famous durian. An excellent guide to the area's cultural and agricultural destinations is the map Discover Balik Pulau, available at Penang Global Tourism.