Penang is a heaven for shoppers with may traditional retailers and world class shopping malls. The locals in Penang, especially the Chinese, take shopping very seriously. The mall is the place to gather when the midday sun just gets too much.

Malaysian food is incredible and can be experienced relatively inexpensively at the numerous hawker centres throughout Penang. One of the favorite dishes in Penang is the infamous local dish Penang Laksa. Laksa is a Malaysian dish that consists of noodles blended with mint leaves and a sour soup. The dish is available throughout Malaysia but each state has its own unique recipe.

Plaza Gurney

Plaza Gurney is Penang's premier mall. It is a highly modern developement, with a more relaxed atmosphere, where many international brands can be found.

Plaza Gurney also has a packed entertaiments calendar. We visited during Chinese New Year and there were many stalls offering traditional New Year products including clothes and hampers, huge china vases. There was also a motor show and a Chinese Lion Dance Competiton.

The centre offers excellent places to eat both inside and outside including Sushi Kingand Nandos as well one of Penang's most popular cinemas "Golden Screen" which features all the latest Asian and International movies.

Prangin Mall

This is an extensive mall which features an excellent technology centre. You can find all the latest gadgets and gizmos.

At Prangin Mall you can find something to suit everyone. The Mall is however not well organised which can make for tiring shopping.

Komtar

Also attached to Prangin Mall is Komtar Mall caters for the older local market and seems to be very quiet nowadays. Many of the stores are relocating or closing down. It could do with a serious redevelopment to bring it inline with other shopping locations in the city.

Repeating History

A history teacher once had a poster on her wall saying, "Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it." Luckily in Penang's case this is a positive thing.

The island, which was built orginally as a busy trading port, has regained its industrial and commercial heritage through establising "The Silicon Valley of the East" an industrial free trade zone. This area, situated close to the Bayan Lapas International Airport produces electrical components for large multi-national corporations.

One of the favorite pastimes of Malaysians, especially the Chinese, is shopping. It's easy in Penang with the huge mega malls that have sprung up and been re-developed over the past few years. Visit our shopping section for more details.