I have never stepped my foot in Penang! Yes, that’s a fact. And to the fact that I’ve visited all other states in Malaysia. It’s so embarrassing to be in this situation when all my friends are talking about Penang this, Penang that. My excuses are always a hectic work or family commitments. So when the opportunity came up, I grabbed Air Asia ticket and decided to make a day trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Depart time is 8.40AM and return at 9.45PM. Looks like a 12 hours trip! With so many attractions available in Penang, one would wonder if it’s possible to visit Penang in just 12 hours; and even without a night stay! As for my case, it didn’t matter as I just wanted to snap a picture of my foot on Penang soil! But on the other hand, I wish to see and visit as many attractions as I can in 12 hours in Penang. It’s mission possible, as I found out.
Here’s the itinerary, in pictures:
9.40 AM: Landed at Penang International Airport for the first time, finally! Penang, here I am!
10.30 AM: Fort Cornwallis – one of the famous heritage landmark in Georgetown, Penang. Built by Charles Cornwallis, the Governor-General of Bengal in the late 18th century. Spent half an hour here. Click the picture for more info of this place
10.50 AM: Our next destination is Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion but we decided to stop at this Penang Road Famous Chendol stall to cool ourself with sweet and cool Iced Chendol. Recommended for everybody!
11.30 AM – Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (aka Blue Mansion) – one of the place that I don’t want to miss in this trip. Only opened at 11 AM and 3 PM, so plan your schedule properly before visiting this place. You have to listen to the tour guide of this place to appreciate it. Click the picture for more info of the mansion
12.30 PM: Lunch at Nasi Kandar Line Clear – It’s already lunch time after Cheong Fatt Tze visit, so we stop at the nearby Nasi Kandar Line Clear, one of the best Nasi Kandar in town. If you’re on Foursquare, the location of this place is http://4sq.com/8W9DJh
1.30 PM: Kek Lok Si Temple – What you see in this picture is the 120 ft tall Bronze Kuan Yin Statue. This temple is simply the largest Buddhist temple in South East Asia. Spent one hour here. Wish I had more time to explore this place.
3 PM: The Tropical Spice Garden – A beautiful and refreshing spice garden near Batu Ferringhi. The whole garden is gated but you will feel like jungle-trekking in a greenery of rainforest. You may not noticed that most of the plants here are spices.
4 PM: Hard Rock Hotel, Penang to get some Hard Rock merchandise for personal collection 
4.30 PM: We spent couple of minutes at Batu Ferringhi beach to enjoy the scene, and coconut drink..
5.30 PM: Toy Museum – Near Batu Ferringhi area. More than 10,000 toys and figurines are exhibited here. You will appreciate this museum, only if you’re toys lovers. You know what I mean.
6.00 PM: My flight back to Kuala Lumpur is at 8.40 PM so I spent the last few hours at Gurney Drive. According to locals, Gurney Drive and Batu Ferringhi will only turned very lively at night, and that you can only enjoy Penang by at least staying one night.
That’s my mission possible, traveling to Penang in one day. A very short but memorable trip. It’s possible but not advisable as it’s so tiresome and you’re always in a hurry. Of course, there are many more tourist attractions that I missed in this trip. I will definitely come again but will stay longer next time.
Here’s a summarized version of the ‘One Day in Penang’ itinerary:
9.40 AM – Arrived in Penang Airport
10.30 AM – Fort Cornwallis
10.50 AM – Iced Chendol Treats
11.30 AM – Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
12.30 PM – Lunch at Nasi Kandar Line Clear
1.30 PM – Kek Lok Si Temple
3.00 PM – Penang Tropical Spice Garden
4.00 PM – Little shopping at Rock Shop, Hard Rock Hotel Penang
4.30 PM – Enjoy scenic Batu Ferringhi Beach
5.30 PM – Toy Museum
6.00 PM – Gurney Drive
9.45 PM – Depart from Penang Airport to Kuala Lumpur
Note: This itinerary is made possible by driving and assisted by a tour guide
Have you ever travel to any tourist destinations in one day? Share your experience here
Now you have a taste of Penang, you will be back for more, the people are so charming and the best people in the world, they go out of their way to help you.
Bee Lee Tan,
Agreed. Penang is a tourist friendly state in Malaysia and Penangites are always ready to entertain their visitors. I’ll be back for a longer holiday!
penang taxi is expensive, is good to have own transport!!
Penang Tropical Spice Garden,Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Lunch at Nasi Kandar Line Clear – - new place for me !
kero1,
Glad to avoid the taxi. Recommended for newbies who had limited time in Penang to hire travel agent with transportation.
I think i’m a little bit better than yours
I drove to Penang 2 years ago and back to Kuala Lumpur in just 10 hours! But of course I don’t have time to visit all the places that you mentioned above. Cool! 
I will try the Chendol there to taste the difference (don’t know when I’ll go to Penang)! Enjoyed the nice pics and description. Will be back again to see what other places you’ve visited.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks, I must say that the thick coconut milk and the fluffy red beans that make it so different..
Line Clear Nasi Kandar is simply amazing in taste although nothing much about the surrounding. Good service too and they speak great English when serving the people.
Wow, that’s a fully packed day trip to Penang. I don’t think I’ll be able to beat you
Thristhan recently posted this article: Panorama Restaurant, Look Out Point, Ampang
Thristhan,
don’t worry, it’s doable. Just book a ticket to Penang now and do it..
Nava,
True. I didn’t pay much attention to the surroundings, as long as the food is great..