Why visit
Penang is George Town's UNESCO heritage quarter. Street art, clan houses, colonial facades, and a food scene regularly ranked Asia's best.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Penang is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Penang connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for Malaysia.
Penang at a glance
City population
158k
Elevation
14 m
46 ft
Time zone
UTC+8
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Airport
PEN
Penang International Airport
Malaysia at a glance
Country center
2.5°, 112.5°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
330,803 km²
127,724 mi²
Country population
34.3 million
104/km²
Subregion
South-Eastern Asia
Currency
Malaysian ringgit (RM)
MYR
Dial
+60
Languages
English, Malay
Demonym
Malaysian
Internet
.my
UN
Member state
ISO code
MY / MYS
Where in the world
2.5° - 112.5°
Malaysia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- George Town, Penang's capital, has a UNESCO-listed old town with a fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and British colonial architecture.
- Penang is often called the food capital of Malaysia; char kway teow, assam laksa, and cendol all have signature Penang versions.
- The Penang Bridge (1985) was the longest bridge in Southeast Asia when it opened and connects the island to the mainland.
- Malaysia is split in two by the South China Sea: Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo.
- The world's oldest rainforest is in Malaysia (Taman Negara), estimated at 130 million years old.
Bordering Malaysia
Traveler notes
- Lorong Baru hawker street
- Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)
- Penang Hill funicular + Habitat rainforest trail
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Penang
What currency is used in Penang?
Penang uses the Malaysian ringgit (RM), ISO code MYR.
What languages are spoken in Malaysia?
The primary languages are English and Malay.
What is the international calling code for Malaysia?
The calling code is +60.
What airport serves Penang?
Penang International Airport (IATA: PEN).
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