Penang Is One Of CNN's Must-Visit Travel Destinations Of 2017
The food capital continues to be a popular choice among tourists and even CNN's travel experts!
By Samantha Khor — 09 Jan 2017, 05:28 PM
Already a hotspot for tourists from all over the world, Penang has earned yet another badge of honour, having just been named one of CNN's 'Best Places to Visit in 2017'
The list - compiled by CNN experts around the world - hails Penang as "one of Asia's best street food destinations"
"The Malaysia island of Penang is arguably one of Asia's best street food destinations. It offers a mix of traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes, as well as fusion cuisines such as Baba Nyonya, or Peranakan, which incorporates regional ingredients and Chinese and Malay cooking methods. All of it can be found in hawker centers and shop houses throughout George Town," the American news network wrote.
CNN also highlighted Penang's diverse architectural culture in the form of its collection of historic buildings, ranging from old English colonial mansions and Islamic mosques to intricate Chinese temples and rustic shophouses
Some of Penang's old colonial buildings have been restored and repurposed into museums and boutique hotels in recent times.
Image via Old Penang Hotel
Penang is one of only five Asian destinations included in the list, the other four of which are Isaan in Thailand, Bhutan, Chengdu in China, and Amman in Jordan
Chengdu has become one of China's most popular cities, thanks to the prospect of panda cuddling in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Image via AFP / Getty ImagesCheck out the full list of CNN's '17 Best Places to Visit in 2017' here:
2. Penang, Malaysia
3. Colombia
4. Bermuda
5. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, United States
6. Isaan, Thailand
7. Bhutan
8. Chengdu, China
9. Aarhus, Denmark
10. Bordeaux, France
11. Western Iceland
12. Albania
13. Amman, Jordan
14. Rwanda
15. Senegal
16. Houston, United States
17. Australia