Pulau Penang received its name from the betel nut palm. The betel nut which was consumed by the local Malay is known as Pinang. It is chewed with leave and "gambir".
"The island of betel nuts", Pulau Pinang, or Penang as we call it, is situated in the northern gate to the strait of Malacca, a busy shipping line connecting the east and the west. Its only 285 square km large - however, during several years picturesque and joyous Penang has become one of the country's main resorts. It is the 13,5 kilometre bridge, named the third longest bridge in the world that connects the island with the mainland. Astonishing as the bridge might be, it is outshined with exotic landscapes, sandy beaches and the island's skilled cooks.
Numerous nationalities that lived on Penang from the times of its colonization, left several absolutely unique culture monuments here. The most famous of them is the Snake Temple, where on altars among the bronze censers dozens of poisonous snakes lay. You can hold them in your hands as they are replete and blotto with incense. According to the legend, this temple was the home of a very religious man who gave refuge to poisonous snakes. After his death, this place became a spiritual one. No one can ever explain why on certain days great amount of snakes come to the temple, filling every corner of it.
No less famous is the Kek Lok Si Temple, which is by right named the most beautiful temple in the South-Eastern Asia. The octagonal temple's basement reminds of the Chinese pagoda, it's middle part is a vivid example of the original Thai arts whereas the upper part looks like a Burmese sanctuary. In front of the temple there is a square for prayers situated and on its sides there are prayerful halls and pagodas with Buddha's sculptures. What will impress you most in the seven-storied pagoda is the huge amount of Buddha's statues brought here from different parts of the world.
Sometimes you get the feeling that Penang citizens were competing with each other in creating the most beautiful temple. It is no wonder that Chinese people are proud of their Dragon Mountain Temple. In 1818 Englishmen built an Anglican St George's Church here, named after the England's most important saint. At the same time, Penang citizens pray for happiness in Captain Kling's mosque, which bears the nickname of an Indian merchant, and an old Acheen Street Mosque.
However, any Penang hand-made monuments are fully outshined by the nature-created masterpieces: Penang-Hill Mountain, from which you will see all the Penang's undercover corners with its Georgetown and the bridge, boundless forest and the ocean. From the top of the mountain you can see the Botanical Garden, situated 8 km from Georgetown. On 30 hectares of the garden's land there is a waterfall found, which gathered all representatives of flora and fauna around itself.
It is worth noting that the visit to Penang is not limited to the nature and monuments only, as there are facilities provided for fine dining and night life. Visitors will feel bored at night. It is like the China town of Kuala Lumour, however the atmosphere is more noisy and easy going. As it is an island, it has a range of water activities. The best place to spend the first day of your family life is Pulau Pinanga sandy beach, where lots of luxury hotels are located. Here you can sail, make a horse ride or simply lay on white sand under the sun. When the hot Malaysian sun wearies you, go shopping to Pulau Pinanga. To find something special, you can walk along the Penang Road where lots of handicrafts and arts shops are found.
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