Penang Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
Malaysian state
About Penang
Penang was part of the Malay sultanate ofKedahuntil 1786, when Captain Francis Light built a fort at the site of present-dayGeorge Townand managed to get the island ceded to the British East India Company. The island, along withMalaccaandSingapore, was one of the three British Straits Settlements. The namePenangcomes from the Malay wordPinang, which means betel nut (槟榔)(Areca catechu). The namePulau Pinangtranslated literally from Malay means "betel nut island". The original name of Penang wasPulau Ka-satuor "First Island", it was renamed toPrince of Wales Islandon 12 Aug 1786 to commemorate the birthday of the Prince of Wales, later, George IV. During the early and middle part of the last century, Penang Island was also known as "The Pearl of the Orient". The capital,George Town, was name
Top Attractions in Penang
Explore the best things to see and do in Penang:
- ★Armenian Street
Penang Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 14 sections including: