What is the experience of living in a small town in Penang? Want to experience the most simple town life style in Penang? Why not visit Bukit Mertajam on the other side of Penang Island and spend a leisurely day! Located in the central part of Penang, Bukit Mertajam (or BM for short) is the largest town in the territory and an old town with a history of more than 100 years. Today, I will take you to discover the good places to eat, drink and have fun in "Bukit Mertajam". Whether it's tasting food or sightseeing spots, you will definitely enjoy the local human touch and make your trip worthwhile!

First stop: Breakfast @伯公城 + visit Xuantian Temple

Photos from Guanghua Daily, Imgrum and thepiknu.com

Where do the locals in Bukit Mertajam eat breakfast? The answer, most likely, is "Pekong Cheng". Because there is a traditional market here, it is crowded with people early in the morning, and this small alley full of delicious food has become the best choice for people to have breakfast! The must-eat classics of Pak Kung Cheng: Kueh Shi, a century-old brand, white wonton noodles sold in the streets and alleys, Guangxi Fujian noodles full of ingredients, Guangxi Lahua Coffee/Ahe’s original three-flavored smoothie coffee, all of which are the most plain and warm good taste! After eating, don’t forget to visit one of the characteristics of Pak Kung Cheng - Xuantian Ancient Temple; this ancient temple with a long history is full of incense all the year round, and it is also open to visit and worship on weekdays.

Address: Jalan Pasar, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

Second stop: Visit the Church of Santa Ana

Photo taken from http://www.penang.ws

If you want to say that the most representative scenic spot in Bukit Mertajam is definitely St. Anne’s Church. The church named after Santa Maria's mother, Santa Ana, was built in 1888 and has a long history of more than a hundred years. Walking up the stone steps across the lawn, you can see the white church standing between the blue sky and white clouds, which is extremely beautiful. Every year at the end of July, a nine-day annual event is held to commemorate Santa Ana's birthday (July 26 - St. Anne's Feast), often

It has attracted many domestic and foreign believers and tourists to come here for pilgrimage. If you want to witness the spectacular scene of thousands of people praying and parading with candlelight, don't miss this celebration!

Address: Jalan Kulim, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening hours: 06:00 – 21:00

The third stop: Zhuokun Mountain + Forest Tea House / Wulabi Mountain + Tianyuan Tea House

Photo taken from Flickr, Penang walkwalk

Cherok Tokun Nature Park is one of the favorite leisure places for locals; it is surrounded by greenery and has a beautiful environment, especially suitable for you who like to get close to nature! At the foot of the mountain [Forest Tea House] has also become a small shop that everyone loves to patronize after climbing the mountain - here you can order a pot of good tea with all kinds of delicious snacks such as: roasted sweet potatoes, tea eggs and green tea melon seeds, etc. , eat and chat with three or five friends, and spend leisure time in the shade of waterfalls and streams. Friends who like to taste tea in the mountains and forests have another choice - Tianyuan Tea House, which has recently become popular on the Internet! Located on Berapit Hill, this minimalist wood-colored cottage hidden in the greenery has become a new place for people to check in. Needless to say, there is no need to say more about the scenery on the mountain, the beauty of the entire Bukit Mertajam can be seen at a glance; drinking tea, eating snacks and blowing the wind to enjoy the beautiful scenery here is simply refreshing and healing!

Forest Tea House

Address: Jalan Kolam, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

Business hours: 11:30 – 18:30 (Monday to Friday); 09:30 – 18:30 (Saturday and Sunday)

天苑茶坊 Berapit Hilltop Teahouse

Address: Mukim 17, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

Business hours: 08:00am – 06:00pm (only open on Saturday and Sunday)

Contact number: 012-436 2586

Fourth Stop: Lunch@Sentosa Corner

Photo taken from haPpY HaPpY，吃喝玩乐我在行，Malaysia Most Wanted Food & Restaurant

How can you miss the famous taro rice when you come to Bukit Mertajam! The taro rice stall in Sentosa Cafeteria is well-known, and there are many people who make a special trip to eat it! Taro rice sprinkled with chopped scallions, dried shrimps and crushed taro – the aroma melts in the mouth after two bites, and then paired with pork offal and pickled vegetable soup with moderately salty and sour ingredients, it is a life-satisfying one! In addition to the famous taro rice, the Javanese noodles and herring (Pasembur) here are also must-order; the soup made from sweet potatoes boiled for several hours is very rich,

Served with noodles and fried to golden brown shrimp cake toppings, it can only be praised frequently! Before you leave, don’t forget to pack the Portuguese tarts here: the crispy skin and the tender texture inside will definitely hit your heart! Looking at it this way, coming to Sentosa Cafeteria can be said to be a sweep of local delicacies!

Address: 1, Jalan Sentosa, Taman Sentosa, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

Business Hours: 08:00 – 15:00 (Closed on Mondays)

 

Fifth stop: Jiuzhaigou, Malaysia

Photo taken from NOODOU

Photo enthusiasts, check it out! The Malaysian version of Jiuzhaigou was originally located in the foot of the mountain! Also known as "Frog Hill" (Frog Hill / Bukit Katak); the emerald green crystal lake overlooking after climbing a few small hills is a highlight here! Dozens of potholes left by excavation of red soil have accumulated rainwater for many years to form a lake, which has evolved into the origin of this beautiful scenery. Under the reflection of the clouds, the scenes of green mountains, green mountains and jagged rocks make people feel like they are in a fairyland. Since it has not been developed yet, visitors still need to take the red mud road to get there.

It can be reached, so do not go there on rainy days to avoid muddy and difficult conditions.

Address: Kampung Guar Petani, 14400 Tasek Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

Sixth Stop: Icon City Sweets Afternoon Tea

Photos taken from I FAT Food Club, Fourspoons Dessert Cafe Facebook, Iconic Hotel Facebook

After a long journey through mountains and rivers, it's time to comfort yourself with a sweet afternoon tea! And Icon City is undoubtedly the best choice - as a well-known "Internet celebrity food and dessert street", it has become a favorite gathering place for young people. [Fourspoons Dessert Cafe] - Crispy and delicious waffles are served with their homemade soft serve ice cream. The appearance is pleasing and the taste is superb. You must try the matcha and black sesame flavors! If you like exquisite afternoon tea, Crumbles & Cream at Iconic Hotel will be your favourite, and its pink dreamy decoration is especially favored by girls! For milk tea lovers, don’t worry, the ultra-trendy milk tea shops such as: The Alley, Royaltea, PANNTEA and Regiustea are all here for you to choose from!

Address: Jalan Icon City, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

Seventh stop: Dinner @ Paradise Hotel Look Yuen Restaurant

Photo taken from Findbulous Travel

For dinner, the local people's favorite "Zhu Chao" will draw a beautiful end to the journey. When it comes to "sufficient wok gas" and enough delicious cooking, it is definitely the Paradise Hotel! As a well-known and time-honored store in Bukit Mertajam, it is common for diners to queue up and the seats to be full. Must-order signature dishes: curry fish head, braised pork knuckle and pipa tofu. They are so delicious that you can't stop! Absolutely let you eat and drink, and end the journey with satisfaction.

Address: 2, Tingkat Kerjasama 4 Taman Kerjasama, Bukit Tengah, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang

Business Hours: 11:30 – 14:15 ; 17:00 – 21:15 (Closed on Wednesdays)

 

Photo via instagram @arika_c