Georgetown Pleasures
Georgetown, the capital of Penang State in Malaysia
, inherits a rich historical legacy. The city was founded by Captain Francis Light, a trader for the British East India Company and is named after Britains King George III. Light procured the island of Penang from the Sultan of Kedah and established Fort Cornwallis on the north-east corner of the island.Georgetown was initially constructed on marshy land which had to be painstakingly converted to a site suitable for settlement. The towns status as a trading centre was the impetus that led to its brisk development.
There is much to see and do in Georgetown and there is no better place to start than its colonial-era historical buildings. The Municipal Council of Pulau Pinang Hall, formerly known as City Hall, is a well-kept building from the height of the British Empire. Not to be missed is the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion, the former residence of Chinas Rockefeller, containing no less than 38 rooms, 220 windows, 7 staircases and 5 granite-paved courtyards.
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, the hereditary mansion of the wealthy Khoo family contains exquisite carvings, made of the finest wood, in traditional Chinese style. Other sites of cultural interest include the Penang Islamic Museum and the 60-ft. Queen Victoria Clock Tower, the latter constructed to honour the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Georgetown is a shoppers dream, with imposing malls, tiny boutiques and everything in between. Street markets are an integral part of the Penang lifestyle, and great bargains are available for those who explore them. Little India offers almost anything from the subcontinent and the Little Penang Street Market sell all manner of local arts and crafts.
Many world class malls can be found in Penang, notably Queensbay Mall, Gurney Plaza and One-Stop Midlands Park. Queensbay, the largest, has five levels of shopping and eight levels of parking, more than 500 retailers and an array of restaurants.
Georgetown is widely considered to offer the best food in Malaysia, and there is a great variety of restaurants and cafes serving up the delicacies of many different regions, from Indian to Western to traditional Thai and Malay. A range of attractive pubs and clubs offer entertainment and relaxation for the busy traveller.
When searching for a Penang hotel, look no further than Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang. A luxurious and distinctive hotel, the Copthorne Orchid Hotel is a travellers delight, providing every comfort and all facilities.
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