Penang in CNN Travel's list of 'Where to Travel 2022: The best destinations to go'

 

GEORGE TOWN: Penang started the new year with a bang when it was named as one of 22 best destinations to go to in 2022.

In a article published by CNN Travel on Jan 1, Penang was named alongside Antigua and Barbuda; Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau; Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Chile; Colombo; Dijon, France; Disko Bay, Greenland; Gabon National Parks; Jordan; Lahti, Finland; Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert, Australia; Naples, Italy; Ollantaytambo, Peru; Orkney Island, the United Kingdom; Oslo and Palau.

Others in the list included South Africa; St Eustatius, Netherlands; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Valencia, Spain; and Yellowstone National Park.

Of Penang, it was written that the Covid-19 pandemic had left many longing for epic culinary-focused journeys, and Penang ranked up there with Asia's best.

It went on to say that this Malaysian island in the Andaman Sea offered a wide mix of traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes.

"And then there's Baba Nyonya -- a.k.a. Peranakan -- cuisine, which incorporates regional ingredients and Chinese and Malay cooking methods.

"All of it can be found in hawker centers and shop houses throughout Penang's capital, George Town, which is filled with historic buildings, from old English mansions to classical Chinese shop houses and Islamic mosques.

"But there's so much more than just food and architecture to sustain wanderlust appetites on this 295-square-mile island.

"In September 2021, the popular Penang Hill was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Home to Penang's highest point, it's filled with excellent hiking trails that stretch from its peak down to the lovely botanical gardens, which were created in 1884 and serve as a repository of Penang Hill's flora and fauna -- including more than 200 species of orchids," the article read.

It also said that leading conservation efforts was The Habitat Penang Hill, a world-class rainforest discovery centre that offered guided walks and zipline tours.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who shared the good news on his Facebook page, said Penang kickstarted the brand new year of 2022 with splendid tidings.

"Penang is the only Asian representative to make CNN Travel's list of 'Where to travel 2022: The best destinations to go' published on Jan 1," he said.

On his Facebook page, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said among the many must-go destinations in 2022 across the world as listed by CNN Travel, Penang was one of the inevitable ones waiting to capture the heart.

"Rich in various cultures, food, heritage and other key elements that would attract tourists from afar and near, Penang, or also known as the Pearl of the Orient by many, is proud to have made it to the world platform.

"Experience Penang. Live life to the fullest," he added.

Just last month, Penang was named as one of "15 Best Islands in the World to Retire On" by International Living, a website that covers global retirement or relocation opportunities.

Penang came in third after Malta and Mallorca in Spain.

Others which made it into the list were Ambergris Caye in Belize, Ireland, Roatan in Honduras, Isla Mujeres in Mexico, Isla Colon in Panama, Bali in Indonesia, Koh Samui in Thailand, Las Terrenas in Dominican Republic, Crete in Greece, Cozumel in Mexico, Caye Caulker in Belize and Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

-nst online.