Hidden Beauty – Penang

Penang is a state & island in Malaysia right by the Strait of Malacca. Its capital George Town is characterized by a wonderful mix of old British colonial style, ethnical flair and modern construction. Walking around the narrow streets is an unrivalled experience. Malays, Chinese, Indians and others ethnical groups live peacefully right next to each other. A block of Chinese stores & homes seamlessly melts into an Indian section followed by gorgeous colonial houses. And then there are a plethora of beautiful temples from all religions.

A typical street section

To be honest, it’s not a particularly clean city but it has a ton of charm due to its eclectic and unconventional aura. The friendliness of the people and the amazing food certainly add to the experience. Last but not least, there are a ton of really cool 3D art installations and graffitis hidden in the narrow streets.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Penang is also home to a giant Buddhist temple. Kek Lok Si is just a short twenty minute cab ride from Penang. I highly recommend going there and spending ample time. We only had 45 minutes and were just able to scratch the surface while taking a few photos.

The lower part of Kek Lok Si

I highly recommend visiting Penang. It’s a very special place and I do plan to go back.