Penang and North West

Penang Hill
Rising 830m above Georgetown, the top of Penang Hill provides a cool retreat from the sticky heat below, as it's generally about 5 degrees C cooler than at sea level. From the summit, you've got a spectacular view over the island and right across to the mainland. There are pleasant gardens, a small aviary, a cafe and a hotel as well as a Hindu Temple and a mosque on the top. Penang Hill is particularly pleasant at dusk as Georgetown, far below, starts to light up.

Shopping:
Penang is a pleasant shopping centre. Its shopping facilities - ranging from modern complexes to roadside stalls and the 'pasar malam' (night markets) - offer an almost endless range of products. The main shopping centres are in Penang Road, Burmah Road and Campbell Street in the city. One of the more prominent shopping complexes on the island is Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR) in Penang Road; it has over 200 shops.
Bona fide tourists, whose stay does not exceed 14 days, can purchase goods at special prices from duty-free shops. These shops display the `duty-free' sign.

Roadside shops are Penang's most popular bargaining centres. Prices are negotiable and reasonable, depending on one's skill at bargaining. Prices are however fixed in the larger department stores.

Jewellery: Penang's jewellery shops sell a variety of items, ranging from inexpensive chains and bracelets to diamond-studded rings and brooches.

Batik: Popular batik items include shirts and dresses, scarves, tablecloths, bedspreads, beachwear and toys. Batik material can be purchased by the metre/yard. Most factories allow visitors to have a look at their operations and to buy directly from their showrooms. Batik material and ready made clothing items are also available in shops along Penang Road, Campbell Street and in Tanjong Bungah and Batu Ferringhi.