Venue
Venue: Hotel Royal Penang, Georgetown, Penang
The conference will be held in the beautiful island of Penang. More info on this northwestern coast of Malaysia can be found at Tourism Penang (http://www.tourismpenang.net.my).
PENANG ATTRACTIONS
1. PULAU PAYAR MARINE PARK
An overload of tropical fish awaits you at Pulau Payer Marine Park. The park is a coral reef teeming with fish including feather starfish, rainbow runners, barracuda and ghost fish. It is one of the west coast’s most popular dive sites, there is the wreck of an old fishing boat and the wreck of a small boat carrying roof tiles to explore. It was the first marine park created in western Malaysia and is also used as a research center.
Snorkeling in the very warm waters is fantastic; get ready for the hungry little fish to nip at your toes as you explore their home. Aside from the colorful fish there are sea turtles, anemones, and friendly octopi. In the afternoon there are shark feeding exhibitions put on by the tour groups. The sharks are reef sharks which are exciting but won’t hurt humans.
2. ENTOPIA
The largest plant wall in Malaysia, as certified by the Malaysia Book of Records. Entopia is featuring the largest butterfly and dragonfly garden in the nation with more than 15,000 free-flying butterflies. Entopia comprises the outdoor Natureland and indoor Cocoon. Natureland comprises two large vivaria, or butterfly apiaries, which are as tall as five-storey buildings. It comprises various features such as Mystery Cave, Tiger Falls, Home Tree, Dragon Path, Aroma Trail, and David's Garden. The place is so warm. After all, it is supposed to mimic an actual tropical environment. Located off Natureland is a cafe called Tapestree. There is also a members area called The Atlas, and an educational area called The Sphere.
3. PENANG HILL
Penang Hill, or Flagstaff Hill (Bukit Bendera) as it is officially known, rises 821 metres above sea level, providing a welcome break from the heat below. One of Penang’s most popular attractions, a trip up is a not-to-be-missed experience, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the whole island all the way to the top. The best way to reach the summit is to hop onboard the funicular train that travels all the way up in half an hour. Highlights at the peak include a pretty Hindu temple, church, mosque and even a snake show where you can take photos with a tame python for a fee.
4. PENANG BOTANIC GARDEN
The Penang Botanic Gardens, (Malay: Taman Kebun Bunga) also known as the "Waterfall Gardens" because of the cascading waterfall nearby, is a public park situated on Jalan Air Terjun (Waterfall Road) in George Town. The original gardens were established in 1884 from an old quarry site, under the supervision of Charles Curtis, who was the first superintendent.
5. SNAKE TEMPLE
The Snake Temple is situated in Sungai Kluang, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia and is perhaps the only temple of its kind in the world. The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense and a variety of pit vipers. The vipers are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have also been de-venomed but still have their fangs intact. Visitors are warned against picking up the reptiles and placing them on their bodies to take pictures. Local devotees believe the temple's snake population comes there of its own accord.
6. GURNEY DRIVE
Gurney Drive is a popular seafront promenade in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. The road is also one Penang's most popular tourist destinations, famous for the "hawker food" sold from food stalls formerly located along the seafront, now relocated close by. Previously known as the New Coast Road, it was completed in 1936 along what was then known as the North Beach, and renamed in 1952 after Sir Henry Gurney, British High Commissioner in Malaya (1950–1951), who was assassinated by the guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party during the Malayan Emergency.
7. PENANG 3D TRICK ART MUSEUM
Penang 3D Trick Art Museum is an interactive museum on King Street in George Town, Penang. It has its soft opening on 25 October, 2014. The museum occupies two levels of a long shophouse that stretches from King Street to Penang Street. Visitors make their way through the ground floor and then continue up the stairs to the first floor. The journey takes them through scenes in Penang, and then continues on to more fantastic and outlandish terrain. What makes the Penang 3D Trick Art Museum "stand out", literally speaking, is that it uses both perspective murals as well as life-size figures that protrude from the walls. Hence it offers a different and new experience.
8. 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.
9. WONDERFOOD MUSEUM
Wonderfood Museum Penang is a specialty museum celebrating Malaysia's food heritage and in particular, Penang's dazzling array of street and local home cooking. It is housed at 49 Beach Street, an Art Deco building from the 1940s that is sandwiched between the Ban Hin Lee Bank Building and the Tiger Balm Building. The building was formerly occupied by one of the campuses of Wawasan Open University, which vacated the premises in March 2015. Not only is it a showcase of Penang's culinary delights, the Wonderfood Museum Penang is also a celebration of the art of making ultra-realistic food replicas. To say the least, it's a metaphorical feast for the eyes, and not a place to visit on an empty stomach. Every item is so lifelike, they could have come from the best hawker stall and restaurant kitchen in penang.
10. PENANG INTERACTIVE MUSEUM
Made In Penang Interactive Museum is one of the latest attractions to open in Penang in late 2013. It is housed in the historic Behn Meyer Building at 3, Weld Quay, George Town. The museum had its soft launch on 1 November, 2013. The Made In Penang Interactive Museum is another first for Penang. The museum showcases three-dimensional interactive art on the two levels of the building. The ground floor houses the Diorama Gallery while the upper floor the Penang 3D Gallery. In addition, there are Interactive Kiosks and a Video Presentation.
11. CURTIS CREST TREETOP WALK
Curtis Crest Treetop Walk is the signature attraction at The Habitat Penang Hill. Completed in 2017, it is the highest viewing platform on Penang Island, with no other viewing platform higher than this. It is so tall that when you stand there, there's nothing above you but the clouds. Curtis Crest was named in honour of the 19th century English botanist Charles Curtis (1853-1928), who was the first superintendent of the Kebun Bunga Pulau Pinang.
Located 12 meters from the ground, Curtis Crest has a total length of 100 meters and forms a semi-circular loop at about 820 meters above sea level, about a hundred meters higher than the Top Station, which is about 720 meters above sea level. From this vantage point, visitors to The Habitat get a panoramic view of Penang Hill at their feet. On a clear day, you can see as far as Muka Head and the Andaman Sea.
For safety reasons, Curtis Crest has a maximum capacity at any one time. So you should consider visiting it on weekdays, when the visitor volume is lower, so you can get to stay up there longer.
12. PINANG PERANAKAN MUSEUM
Hai Kee Chan a name meaning "Sea Rememberance Hall", is one of the most beautiful historical mansions in George Town, Penang. Today it houses the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, a cultural museum of Peranakan heritage. Hai Kee Chan is historically significant for it was the former residence of Chung Keng Kwee, the wealthiest man in Penang during his time and one of the most illustrious Kapitan Cina (leader of the local Chinese community) in the history of the country. The museum located along Church Street is open to the public.
13. RAINBOW SKYWALK
Rainbow Skywalk is a glass observatory walkway at The TOP in Komtar. Located on the 68th floor of Komtar Tower, it is the highest outdoor observatory walkway in the country. The walkway offers unimpeded views of the scenic north coast of George Town, including the Pulau Tikus neighbourhood, Gurney Drive and the coastline of Tanjong Tokong. The rest of George Town, the central part of Penang Island including Air Itam and Penang Hill, and the southern portion of the island are also visible.
