Restaurants in George Town/Penang near Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Penang is an island off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia and one of Malaysia's main tourist draws. Its beaches are a little lackluster when compared with those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more than compensated for by the island's rich multicultural history, which is full of colonial and Chinese influences. Penang is also well known for being the "food paradise" of Malaysia, if not the whole of Asia.

Georgetown is the capital of Penang and the only city on the island of any size or historical significance. It a favorite spot for tourists as it has lots of interesting pre-war homes, but is also a local favorite, as most of Penang's pubs are located here. Batu Ferringhi, located on the north coast, is home to white sandy beaches and the luxurious hotels and restaurants that cater to tourists.

Penang's high season is around Christmas, New Year's Day, and the Chinese New Year, when hordes of sun-seeking Europeans descend on the island. Accommodation tends to be packed, and priced accordingly.