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The most
beautiful of Penang’s beaches
and islands are located on the
northern area of the island. Despite
the large population and rapid
urbanisation, Penang still has some
magic to offer from its beaches and
islands.
Batu
Feringghi
Batu Ferringhi has come a long way
from its roots as a port for
Portuguese traders from India in the
14th century. The stretch of beach
is now a well-developed recreational
spot teeming with resorts,
restaurants and stalls that
specially cater to a European
tourist market. The beach itself is
a clean spot that attracts a huge
crowd of beach-bums on weekends.Batu
Ferringhi’s atmosphere and feel can
be likened to Pattong Beach in
Phuket, minus the pole dancers of
course! There’s a wide range of
accommodation available that will
suit even the most stringent
budgets. Food is never a problem as
international and local restaurants
have sprouted all over the beach.At
night, the entire road along the
beach is transformed into a hive of
activity as traders set up stalls
and proclaim the area as a night
market. During this time, visitors
can see the wide variety of goods on
sale from trinkets to T-shirts and
even taste local culinary delicacies
like Assam Laksa.
Teluk Bahang
The scenic beach of Teluk Bahang is
serene and shady. Offering a
peaceful environment and breezy
wind, Teluk Bahang is perfect for a
weekend retreat minus the large
crowd of near-by Batu Ferringhi.
Those who crave isolated beaches
should go to Teluk Duyung, Monkey
Beach, Pantai Kerachut or Pantai Mas,
all beached that are only accessible
via trails through the Pantai Acheh
Forest Reserve in Teluk Bahang.There
are camping grounds available for
you to spend a night under the stars
and in the morning, head to the
recreational forest for
jungle-trekking or visit the
Forestry Museum. Coastal villages
dot the area and evening signals the
return of fishermen with their day’s
catch. Look out for great seafood in
Teluk Bahang; it’s one of the best!
Tanjung Bungah
Located closely to Georgetown,
Tanjung Bungah is hidden among lush
greenery and rocky landscapes. Some
claim that the views of the horizon
from the beach are simply the best
in Penang!Several upmarket hotels
cater for your accommodation needs
as you enjoy the pristine and serene
surroundings. While the beach is
popular, it is not as frequently
visited as Batu Ferringhi, making
this an ideal getaway if you want a
degree of seclusion. |
