Visiting a hawker centre – or a Penang food court – should be at the top of any culinary itinerary. With so many to choose from, follow Anthony Bourdain’s footsteps to CF Food Court for wan tan mee – Malaysia’s answer to Chinese wonton noodles. There’s no shortage of late night eats as New Lane Hawker Center and Chulia Street open for the post-work crowd, who you’ll find washing down Char Kway Teow and Hokkien Mee with a frosty beer. Tip: if you see a queue, get in it.

Located 45 minutes from George Town, Penang National Park is a must for avid hikers and birdwatchers. There’s no shortage of things to do – from jungle trekking, to boat cruising through the mangroves, to braving its 210m canopy walkway. One of the world’s only meromictic lakes, a lake where layers of saltwater and freshwater never mix – will delight keen geologists, while the turtle conservation centre, Monkey Beach and Muka Head Lighthouse, are great diversions.

Step into a rainbow world of fluttering wings at Entopia, a sanctuary for over 15,000 butterflies. This Penang butterfly farm was founded by a self-taught entomologist and following a recent facelift, it now spans over a striking outdoor garden, waterfalls, ponds and more. Head to The Cocoon – an education centre ideal for families – and don’t miss their ‘Vita Nova’ event where keepers release newly born butterflies into the aviary.

The city’s rich cultural diversity means there’s endless Penang attractions to explore. Kek Lok Si, Malaysia’s biggest Buddhist temple, is a 19th century mountainside complex featuring the awe-inspiring Buddha Pavilion set comprising of 10,000 statues and a large statue of the goddess of mercy Kuan Yin, sheltered by an ornate roof. George Town’s Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling – the ‘Street of Harmony’ – is a beautiful example of Penang’s varied religious beliefs, from the red-lantern strewn Goddess of Mercy Temple to the austere Anglican St George’s Church. The dome-topped Kapitan Keling Mosque is a must-see for Indo-Muslim architecture buffs as well as Sri Maha Mariamman Temple’s rooftop deity sculptures, watching over all those who enter.

As immigrants from China settled in Penang centuries ago, they added a new hue to the city’s rich cultural tapestry. The Baba-Nyonya community, also known as the Peranakan Chinese community born as new arrivals, merged their own customs with Penang’s and built now historical sites fusing architectural styles. The opulent 19th century Pinang Peranakan Mansion, for example, combines Chinese, Scottish and English elements, and is also home to a Baba-Nyonya museum housing over 1,000 relics. While Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the famed 19th century Blue Mansion featured in Crazy Rich Asians, is now a boutique hotel, visitors can join guided tours of the Unesco-recognised site which combines Hakka, Teochew and other Southern Chinese architectural styes.

From Malay to Chinese, Indian and Thai influences, Penang’s famous dishes are a combination of Asian styles unique to the food capital. Asam Laksa is among Penang’s most distinctive dishes with a tangy tamarind soup base as opposed to popularised coconut-based laksas, as well as White Curry Mee – a fragrant, ivory twist on Curry Mee, topped with seafood and pork blood cubes. Two of Penang’s most unique regional styles include Nyonya cooking – a Chinese-Thai-Malay fusion style dating back to the 15th century by Chinese immigrants – and Jawi Peranakan cuisine, developed by Penang’s Indo-Muslim community with Middle Eastern influences.

See the vibrant diversity of ecolife at Penang Hill, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve home to rare exotic plants, over 100 bird species and the most stunning views over the city. Also known as Bukit Bendera, the lushly rainforested area comprises multiple hills with the highest being the 833m Western Hill. Remnants of Penang’s colonial past can still be seen here, with British heritage buildings, bungalows converted into lavish hotels and even a red postbox. If you’re down for an early start, hike up to see the sun break over the city – or catch the funicular up and see the views from signposted vista points.

As one of the world’s leading street art capitals, Penang celebrates it in an unusual place: the Unesco world heritage-recognised George Town. Amid British architectural influences and temples, you’ll find graffiti tributes to local culture. Armenian Street is a great place to explore Penang street art as the famed Little Children on a Bicycle is here: a gleeful commissioned piece by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, depicting a painted boy and girl riding a real bicycle. You’ll find a number of creative pieces which play off the historical streets, with Indian Woman Under the Tree clinging to the underside of overgrown tree roots and I Want Bao depicting children reaching out of a window towards an actual bicycle laden with bamboo dumpling steamers.

Head to George Town’s colourful shopping streets, ranging from antique havens to hipster hangouts. Penang Road and Chulia Street’s stalls are laden with Nyonya porcelain, and it’s worth digging for vintage bargains at Lorong Kulit market. On the more modern side, it doesn’t get fancier than Gurney Plaza while three heritage buildings have been transformed into the painfully hip China House, full of independent boutiques and cafes.

Located 45 minutes from George Town, Penang National Park is a must for avid hikers and birdwatchers. There’s no shortage of things to do – from jungle trekking, to boat cruising through the mangroves, to braving its 210m canopy walkway. One of the world’s only meromictic lakes, a lake where layers of saltwater and freshwater never mix – will delight keen geologists, while the turtle conservation centre, Monkey Beach and Muka Head Lighthouse, are great diversions.

Step into a rainbow world of fluttering wings at Entopia, a sanctuary for over 15,000 butterflies. This Penang butterfly farm was founded by a self-taught entomologist and following a recent facelift, it now spans over a striking outdoor garden, waterfalls, ponds and more. Head to The Cocoon – an education centre ideal for families – and don’t miss their ‘Vita Nova’ event where keepers release newly born butterflies into the aviary.

Penang’s coastline is speckled with long stretches of sand if you’re willing to leave the state capital George Town behind and explore them. Batu Ferringhi has shed its former hippie trail history behind and has been transformed into prime beach resort territory, with luxe bars ideal for sunset cocktails. Quieter options include Tanjung Bungah and the tranquil Gertak Sanggul – though keep an eye out for jellyfish and strong currents when swimming.