4.

3 HISTORY OF PENANG

4.3.1 FLAG OF PENANG

The state flag of Penang, a Malaysian state, consists of three vertical bands
and an areca-nut palm on a grassy mount in the centre. All the three bands are
equal width. From left to right, the colour of each band is light blue, white and
yellow.

The colours of the flag are derived from the tinctures of the coat of arms of
Penang that was granted by King George VI in the 1940s. Light blues denotes
the sea that surrounds Penang Island, white represents peace and yellow for
the prosperity of the state.

The areca-nut palm, know as pokok pinang in Malay, symbolises the tree from
which Penang got its name. The tree and its grassy mount is centred within the
middle white band

The flag was first adopted in 1949 after Penang became a component state of
the Federation Of Malaya.
4. 3 CULTURE AND TRADITION

The festive celebration in Penang is a colorful reflection of the state's diverse cultural
diversity. Traditional festivals such as Thaipusam, Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr, ChNea Hoay
and Chinese New Year have maintained an unmatched authenticity in Asia. The
growing Home art festival is increasingly popular with global travel such as the
anticipated George Town Festival and the award-winning international festival in
George Town's literature.

Other annual events such as the Catholic Feast of St. Anne, Penang International
Food Festival, the anime Pinang Island Matsuri, Penang Hot Air balloon Party, the
Odori Japanese Bon Party, the heritage celebration of George Town, the International
Bridge and Dragon Party The bot will not be detached in Penang.

Many weekend markets in Penang. Vendor is a diverse mix of small business owners
to passionate hobbies to present their goods and services to people who want to know.
Markets such as occupying a beach road, Artisan Market in Jalan Star Pitt and pop-
up week at the Hin Bus Depot are great places to buy local products, homemade and
meet this individual producing them to face-to-Face. Usually there are presentations,
workshops or activities in the market that provide opportunities for the participants to
interact, learn something or simply have fun.
Major Celebrations
Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a dramatic Hindu Festival celebrated every year on the full moon
according to the Tamil calendar in the month of Thai. On the Thaipusam day, kavadi
bearers start the procession from the Sivan temple. Here the devotees are washed
with saffron water and then put into trance and body piercing. Then the devotees and
their supporters along with the others proceed to the Waterfall Temple where the body
spears are removed. This is the one biggest and most anticipated festival of the year.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first moon according to the
Chinese Lunar calendar. The next fifteen days are spent visiting relatives and friends
wishing them Gong Xi Fai Cai or Keong Hee Huat Chye. Acrobats, dragon and lion
dance troupes are invited in the temples, institutions and homes to bless the New Year
with success and prosperity. Chinese New Year is the biggest and most anticipated
festival of the year.

Ramadhan
Observed on the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar, Ramadhan is marked
with a month of fasting. It is unique spiritual characteristic of the Islam religion followed
by the Muslims by desisting completely from food, water and other drinks, smoking
and intimate intercourses from the twilight till the sunset.

Hungry Ghosts
Phor Thor festival or the Hungry Ghosts festival is celebrated for one month. On the
first day of the seventh moon, ghosts are let out to wander among the living as the
gates of the hell are opened. Hell money, food, incense and prayers are offered to
please the ghosts. Chinese puppet theatre and Chinese opera are also staged in
different parts of the towns during the nights.
4.4 INTERESTING PLACES IN PENANG

4.4.1 Little India

Little India represents a small section of Penang but it is certainly not to be dismissed
because of its size. There is a strong Tamil population across Malaysia and in Penang
and you could be forgiven for thinking that you have taken wrong turn and ended up
in a completely different country. As you walk around little India look out for shops
selling gorgeous colourful saris as well perfume emporiums. Street food also one of
the best in Penang. They serve many Indian foods. Not forget, Little India a great place
to find one of the most famous drinks in Malaysia which is Teh Tarik.

4.4.2 Trishaw Ride

One of the best ways to see Penang in an afternoon is to use one of its traditional
modes of transport know as Trishaw ride. The trishaws are either operated by pedal
power usually covered in interesting design features such as flowers and doll. Riding
in trishaw also gives you to opportunity to check out some of the less visited parts of
Georgetown and most drivers also act as guides and will fill you in on history of the
areas you visit.

4.4.3 Batu Ferringhi

One of the reasons people come to Batu Ferringhi is to enjoy the water sports that
are on offer there. If you are looking for an adventure, then Batu Ferringhi is a great
choice as you can try sports such as parasailing, scuba diving, or jet-skiing. There is
also the chance to take a banana boat ride, or you can go out in a boat an enjoy
some deep-sea fishing. If you want to stay on dry land, then you can rent a beach
buggy and zoom around the sands in style. Jalan Batu Ferringhi comes alive every
night as vendors set up stalls along this stretch offering some handmade local
souvenirs and local artwork. Their stalls normally start from Shangri-La’s Rasa
Sayang Resort & Spa to Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort and from 7pm to late of
night.

4.4.4 Penang Hill

Penang hill, also known as Bukit Bendera or Flagstaff Hill, is 833 m (2,723 ft) above
sea level and stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area.
Well known for its cool and fresh climate from the tropical heat of George Town.
Suitable for take a picture with beautiful background.

4.4.5 Kek Lok Si Temple

Built since the year 1891, Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the largest and finest temples
complexes in Southeast Asia. With millions of magnificent images of Buddha and
hundreds of beautiful meaningful carvings, sculptures and murals in the interior and
exterior of the temple halls, pagodas and archways, Kek Lok Si Temple is not just a
center for Chinese culture and Buddha teaching, but also unique heritage treasures.

4.4.6 Street Art in Georgetown

Penang Street Art, and in particular George Town Street Art, has in the past few years
enhanced its position as the street art capital of the country. This began with Marking
George Town in 2009, and this showcase has successfully brought so much crowds
of people waiting to have their photo taken in front of the wall paintings. You can pick
up a copy of the Penang Street Art Brochure which includes a location map, from the
Tourist Information Offices on Beach Street or just behind Fort Cornwallis. Each of the
wall painted at Street Art have they own meaning.

4.4.7 Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the typical home of a rich Baba of a century ago is
recreated to offer a glimpse of their opulent lifestyle and of their many customs and
traditions. With over 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles of the era on display,
this Baba-Nyonya museum is also housed in one of Penang’s heritage mansion of
eclectic design and architecture.
4.4.8 Escape Park Penang
The Escape Adventure play Theme Park, the first theme park in Penang. Escape is
different from any other theme park. It is a re-visioning and departure from
conventional ideas of roller-coaster rides & sugar-coated fantasies. Escape draws
from childhood past to capture dreams and traditional values and address some of the
problems of our current age by encouraging physical wellness and reconnection with
nature. In addition, Escape Waterplay was also opened to public at September 2017.

4.4.9 Gurney Drive (Gurney Plaza, Gurney Paragon)

Gurney Drive also known as “Persiaran Gurney” in Malay offers delightful street and
high- end cuisines. Food courts and open-air hawker stalls pepper the seaside stretch,
offering local favourites such as Penang Laksa, Bak Kuk Teh (a herbal stew of pork
ribs and meat), Oh Chien (fried oyster omelette), grilled squid, and nasi lemak make
for mouth-watering meals. For Malay friends, worry not as Gurney Drive Food Court
also offer halal foods. After dinner, you may choose go shopping at Gurney Plaza or
Gurney Paragon mall which is just situated nearby. It is just walking distance from
Gurney Drive Food court.
REFERENCES

Most interesting place at Batu Ferrnggi , PENANG by Hotels.com

http://penang.ws/areas/batu-feringgi.htm

Wikipedia, The definition Flag of Penang. Retrieved from,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Penang

8 places you must visit in Penang. Retrieved from,

https://www.letsgoholiday.my/p/places-that-you-must-not-miss-when-visiting-penang