Ready, set, smile: Zhao (in blue) and Huang posing for a photograph as they explore the heritage enclave in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s good food, diverse cultures and picturesque scenery have caught the eye of Chinese tourists as they flock to the heritage enclave here.
Husband and wife, King Zhu and Key Zhu, both 38, were in Penang as part of their trip to various parts of Malaysia.
With their two young daughters in tow, the couple from Hangzhou heard about Penang from a friend and decided to visit the state.
“We will be here for five days before we head to Sabah and then to Kuala Lumpur.
“We are visiting these three places and have allocated five days for each location,” said Key, a businesswoman, when met at a local hawker centre here.
Key said she had never considered visiting Malaysia but later found the visa-free policy an attractive offer.
“We love it here and have thoroughly enjoyed the diversity.
“Our favourite attraction is the Hindu temples; they are different and the statues are well-carved.
“It is good exposure for us to experience other cultures.
“Food-wise, although there is plenty of Chinese food here, it tastes different.
“My husband loves char kuay teow,” she said.
Buddies Marshall Zhao, 20, and Huang Qiheng, 19, decided to visit Malaysia after they heard about the visa-free travel.
“This is our third day here and it has been great.
“We rented a motorcycle and went around the island.
“We visited Chinese temples, which are so different from what we have back home.
“It is nice to learn about different cultures and food,” said Zhao.
He was surprised to find that food in Penang “is a bit pricier than in China but is tasty and different from the flavours back home”.
Zhao, who is studying international economics and trade, said they will be in Penang for another two days before heading to Kuala Lumpur and flying home.
It was reported that Penang recorded a 370% increase in tourists from China within the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year.
This is attributed to the visa-free policy and direct flights between Penang and China.
