Langkawi and Penang Travel Experience: Why You’ll Never Want to Leave

The auspicious red-eye flight touched down at PVG early this morning at 5 AM, and I’ve finally roused myself to document the experience.

Our initial summer vacation plan was to visit Xinjiang, but the prospect of battling crowds put us off. Then, with a sudden yearning for Okinawa, I impulsively secured a five-year Japanese visa. However, the exorbitant hotel prices made us rethink our destination. In the end, we decided to head to Penang just a week ago.

This marks my fifth visit to Malaysia, and I thought I had a good handle on what to expect. So, I only booked the trip two weeks in advance. Unfortunately, the overall experience was rather underwhelming. While the weather was a welcome respite from the scorching 40-degree heat in Shanghai, the frequent rain showers were a real letdown. The mountains were shrouded in mist, and the sea lacked its usual allure.

❗️Travel Advice – Stay❗️If possible, try to book a better hotel that includes breakfast. Resort hotels often serve breakfast until later, and a hearty meal can easily tide you over until lunch. Plus, you get to enjoy fresh fruit and great coffee every morning, making the start of each day much more pleasant.

With the kids getting older, we either look for accommodations that can fit three or add an extra bed. The two hotels we stayed at within our budget were quite nice, and I highly recommend them.

❗️Travel Advice – Getting Around❗️In Langkawi, renting a car is the way to go, while in Penang, using Grab for taxis is your best bet. Don’t count on walking; Malaysia is not particularly pedestrian-friendly.

❗️Travel Advice – Activities❗️In Langkawi, we arranged for island hopping, mangrove tours, and a visit to the Sky Bridge. The quality of these experiences heavily depends on the weather. Avoid starting island hopping or mangrove tours in the afternoon, as the experience is significantly less enjoyable. The Sky Bridge is an absolute must-see! In Penang, we explored Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, and the George Town area. Two days are sufficient to cover these attractions.

❗️Travel Advice – Eating❗️In Langkawi, we dined at Chinese restaurants, which suited our palates. Surprisingly, despite being by the sea, most of the seafood was frozen. The wet butter tiger prawns, however, were a delightful exception, and we indulged in them twice. In Penang, we skipped the Michelin-starred restaurants and opted for night markets and malls near our hotel, where the food was fantastic.

❗️Travel Advice – Shopping❗️Chocolate in Langkawi is incredibly affordable, but be cautious about checking it in if you’re bringing it back home, as it will melt. I brought a few pieces with me during a daytime boat trip, and they turned into a gooey mess. Prices in Penang are not much cheaper than in China, so shop wisely and always double-check your receipts.

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