Location
Welcome to Penang
Date: 20th - 22nd September 2016
Venue: G Hotel, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Conference will be held at G Hotel: 168A, Persiaran Gurney 10250 George Town. (GPS: 5.437720, 100.310261)
Tel: +604 238 0000, Fax: +604 238 0088 Website: www.ghotel.com.my
Participants are welcomed to stay at G Hotel for logistic convenient purpose, however, these following options are also available at participants' own convenience
1. EVERGREEN LAUREL HOTEL PENANG Price start at RM325 includes Taxes and Fees (with breakfast); ~1.5km to G hotel; ~5min by car; ~15min by walk: www.evergreenlaurelhotelpenang.com --> Phone Numbers: 604-226 9988 Email: elhpen@evergreen-hotels.com. Located at 53, Persiaran Gurney, Penang, George Town, Malaysia
2. GURNEY HOTEL Price start from RM236.60 includes Taxed and Fees (with breakfast); ~1.5km to G hotel; ~6min by car; ~18min by walk: www.gurney-hotel.com.my --> Phone Number: +60-04-3707000 Email: info@gurney-hotel.com.my. Located at 18 Persiaran Gurney, George Town, Penang 10250, Malaysia
3. GEORGETOWN CITY HOTEL Price start from RM277 includes Taxes and Fees; ~1.5km to G Hotel; 6min by car; ~15min by walk: www.georgetowncityhotel.com --> Phone number: + 60 (4) 227 7111 Email: reservation@georgetowncityhotel.com. Located at 1-Stop Midlands Park, Burmah Road 10350 Georgetown, Penang
4. APPLE HOTEL Price start from RM159 includes Taxes and Fees; ~1.5km to G Hotel; 6min by car; ~15min by walk: https://www.apple1hotel.com/v1/ --> Phone number: 604 - 226 4678 Email: contact@apple1hotel.com. Located at 370, Jalan Burma, 10350 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
5. GOOD HOPE HOTEL KELAWAI PENANG Price start from RM125; ~2km to G Hotel; 8min by car; ~19min by walk: https://www.goodhopehotel.com.my/penang/ --> Phone number: +6 04 229 0111 Email: penang@goodhopehotel.com.my. Located at No.22, Jalan Kelawei, 10250 Penang, Malaysia
Penang is popularly known as Pearl of the Orient and also dubbed as Silicon Valley of the East. Bounded to the north and east by the State of Kedah and to the south by the State of Perak, it consists of a turtle-shaped island and a coastal strip on the mainland called Province Wellesley (Seberang Prai). The island measure 292 square kilometers and is situated on the north-western coast of the Malay Peninsula at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca while the mainland measures 738 square kilometers. The capital of Penang is George Town. The highly urbanised and industrialised Penang is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country, as well as a thriving tourist destination. A fascinating fusion of the East and West, Penang always embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world charm. These are reflected in its harmonious multiracial populace and well-preserved heritage buildings which led to George Town being accorded a listing as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site recently. Long regarded as the food capital of Malaysia, Penang also entices visitors with its beautiful coasts and scrumptious cuisines.
Dubbed as the Malaysia's Electronic Manufacturing Hub, manufacturing is the most important component of the Penang economy. The southern part of the island is highly industrialised with high-tech electronics plants – earning Penang the nickname Silicon Valley of the East. In January 2005, Penang was formally accorded the Multimedia Super Corridor Cyber City status, the first outside of Cyberjaya, with the aim of becoming a high-technology industrial park that conducts cutting-edge research. This enhances Penang status as the centre of manufacturing excellence and competency
Key Information at a Glance
Getting there
1. By Air The Penang International Airport is about 10 kilometers from George Town, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Southern China Airlines, and Thai International offer direct and connecting flights.
2. By Rail Butterworth is a major station on the north-south railway from Singapore to Bangkok. The ferry terminal to Penang island is within walking distance from the station.
3. By Road There are two Penang Bridges linking the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia to Penang Island has facilitated driving to Penang. A charge of RM 7.00 and RM10.00 (2nd bridge) is levied on all classes of cars at the toll plaza on the mainland. No payment is required for traveling from the island to the mainland.
4. By Ferry From Butterworth, you need to take the ferry to the island. The ferry service is for both passengers and vehicles. Tickets are purchased at the Butterworth terminal for the journey while no fare is charged for the return trip from the island.
Moving Around
Penang's public transport system is there and moving around by taxis, buses or trishaws may be a fun and inexpensive way of catching the sights.
1. City Taxis Most city taxis do not use the meter. You may either insist on the meter being turned on or agree on the price before you move off.
2. City Buses Most buses use coin machine to collect fares. The main bus terminal are Pengkalan Weld (ferry terminal), Prangin Mall and KOMTAR (ground floor).
3. Trishaws A trishaw ride is one of the best ways of seeing Penang. Besides the novelty of traveling in this open-fronted three-wheeled vehicle, trishaws allow visitors the opportunity of doing the sights at a more leisurely pacestopping at any point to snap pictures or buy souvenirs. There is no standard fare and it would be wise to agree on the price before you step on the trishaw. For extended sightseeing, it is advisable to hire them by the hour.
4. Car Rental If you wish to venture further afield at your own leisure, it might be a good idea to drive around yourself. Most major international and local car rental companies offer a good choice of vehicles and packages. So, arm yourself with a valid international driving license and a reliable road map and set forth for the adventure of your life. Remember that traffic travels on the left side of the road and that the speed limit varies on all roads.
5. Rent-A-Motorbike / Bicycle Motorcyles and bicycles also offer inexpensive and fun ways of exploring the island. Stores along the hotel stretch of Batu Ferringhi and in the city offer them for hire.
Climate
Penang's climate can be described as equatorial, a pleasant mix of warm, sunny days and occasional cooling rain storms, with August through November being the wettest months generally. Average rainfall is 255 cms (100 inches) throughout the year. Humidity is usually high, and the temperature varies between 21o and 32o Celsius (70o to 95o Farenheit).