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Last Updated: 20 Feb 2004 |
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Penang The Land of Light |
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Introduction Penang, widely known as the "Pearl of the Orient", is Malaysia's
most popular holiday destination. In 1786, Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company established Penang Island as the first British settlement in the Far East. The island, originally named Prince of Wales Island was later renamed Pulau Pinang, meaning Island of Betel-nut. Today, Penang Island is a busy port, commercial and tourist center. The capital, George Town, is unmistakably Chinese, but retains many architectural reminders of its colonial history. To the north of the island, a spectacular winding coastal road leads to Batu Ferringi beach, an international holiday resort which offers the visitor first class accommodation mixed with the timeless ingredients of sun, sea and sand. Photo: Kek Lok Si temple, one of the finest Buddhist structures in the East. The temple was founded in 1890 and took over 20 years to complete. There are an estimated 10,000 Buddha images to be found within its prayer halls and pagodas.
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© Khoo Fang Chi |
The territory of the state consists of the island of Penang (Pulau
Pinang) and the mainland coastal strip known as Seberang Prai (formerly
Province Wellesley). The two are linked by a 24 hour ferry service
and the 13.5 kilometer Penang Bridge, the third longest road bridge
in the world.