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Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi, situated along the coastal road north-west of Georgetown and lined with a string of international-standard resorts, is the most popular beach in Penang.

Soak in the sun or unwind on the beach while you enjoy a host of aquatic thrills from wind-surfing to canoeing. For a spine-tingling adventure, try parasailing to enjoy the view of the beach from the sky.

As the sun sets, Batu Ferringhi comes alive with a carnival-like atmosphere with an open-air bazaar selling anything from ornate curios to enticing souvenir items.

Watch local artisans demonstrate the intricate art of craft-making and batik-painting. Dubbed the Feringghi Walk, the bazaar offers shoppers a host of attractions.

Fort Cornwallis, named after the Governor-General in Bengal in the late 1700s, Charles Cornwallis, is one of the most interesting historical landmarks in Georgetown. It is located close to the Esplanade, next to the Victoria Memorial Clock.

Fort Cornwallis

The fort's walls, roughly 10 feet high, are laid out in a star-shape formation. A stroll along the perimeters takes roughly 10 minutes. Inside the fort, you can still see some of the original structures built over a century ago, including a chapel, prison cells, ammunitions storage area, a harbour light once used to signal incoming ships, the original flagstaff and several old bronze cannons, one of which is a Dutch cannon called the Seri Rambai, dated 1603. An interesting note about the Seri Rambai is that some locals believe that this particular cannon can have a positive effect on a woman's fertility.

Today, this privately managed historical site is popular among visitors. It is equipped with a tourist information kiosk, a cafe, an open-air amphitheatre, a history gallery, a souvenir centre as well as guides who can take you around the fort grounds and provide you with a glimpse into the fort's history.

Penang National Park

It is the smallest national park in the country with a size of 2,562 hectares. It was gazetted in 2003 and is home to 46 species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers, white-breasted waterhens and great egrets.

A 2000 expedition led by the Malaysian Nature Society recorded 417 flora and 143 fauna species. Before the area was designated as a national park, the locals knew it as Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve. Some of the activities carried out are fishing, swimming and hiking

The pure, sandy stretch of Pantai Kerachut is also a favourite nesting place of Green turtles from April to August, and the Olive Ridley from September to February. The turtle hatchery set up in Pantai Kerachut in 1995 is now managed by the State Fisheries Department along with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and the Forestry Department. They also manage the upkeep of the park, which is in pristine conditions.

Some of the best hardwood trees can be found here, especially from the shorea species, such as Meranti and Merawan Baru. In fact, the area is the only known place in Penang where the red, paper-like barked Gelam trees grow.

The bio-diversity of the park is also impressive, with 1,000 species of plants including five different species of the Bintangor tree.

Besides this, the park is the only one in Malaysia that contains six different types of habitat — a meromictic lake (a lake that occurs seasonally, where there is a distinct layering of waters), wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs and turtle nesting beaches. There are also various plant pitchers, wild orchids and funghi, and medicinal plants.

Tanjung City Marina

The waterfront complete with colonial architecture to compliment the neighbouring heritage buildings. The marina is able to cater to vessels up to a maximum draft of 4 meters. It has 102 berths ranging from 11 meters to 50 meters length and can accommodate up to 140 yachts and boats of various sizes.

Facilities and services at the marina include Customs, Immigration and Port Clearance (CIP), 24-hour security, electrical and water supply, shower rooms, toilets, laundry services, refuelling facilities and repairs as well as maintenance works. There are also two restaurants, a café and a convenience store at the marina.

Penang Museum & Art Gallery

Walk into the compound of the Penang State Museum, and you will first be greeted by a regal bronze statue of Captain Francis Light, the founder of the Penang Straits Settlement, gazing down upon you.

Once you set foot inside the museum building, you will see why the State Museum located along Jalan Farquhar in Georgetown is reputed to be one of the best state museums in the country. Divided into galleries dedicated to Penang's historical communities, as well as particular historical events that took place in Penang, the museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, historical documents, Chinese furniture, embroidery, costumes and other historical relics.

On the first floor where the Art Gallery is located, works of local artists and paintings of old Penang are on display, namely those by William Daniels and Captain Robert Smith. From time to time, special exhibitions are held here.

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