Northstar

M&C ASIA | 7 The renowned Penang cuisine is heavy on Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western influences. Plot your time to cover the wide array of street stalls and morning markets offering tantalising local dishes such as Char Kway Teow (stir-fried flat rice noodle), Asam Laksa (spicy-sour fish broth with noodles), Rojak Pasembur (spicy fritters and vegetable salad) and Nasi Kandar (Indian-Muslim mixed rice), before ending the meal with refreshing Cendol (shaved ice with coconut milk). Gurney Drive and Padang Kota Lama Food Court are popular venues for these delicacies. The 1870s-built Farquhar Mansion Fine Dining & Lounge exudes colonial charm, serving seasonal French fare with a contemporary twist for up to 78 guests. For Asian palates, the 13,000sqm Grand Imperial Restaurant serves seafood and Cantonese favourites both outdoors and in its nine private rooms. FEAST Plenty of Penang's Portuguese roots from the 16th century remain. Be intrigued by the city's traditional businesses at the Pulau Tikus district of George Town, where one can find the city's oldest trishaw maker in Hup Huat Tricycle and Bicycle Repair, unique traditional biscuits at Ban Joo Lee grocery store, as well as vintage medical halls and sundry shops. Known as Malaysia's street art capital, incentive participants can go on a half-day adventure discovering Penang's numerous wall murals and cartoon steel art pieces. Head to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion which pays tribute to the Baba Nyonyas ethnic group. Enjoy Penang's natural wonders, which are just five minutes away via a funicular train ride from George Town to the 130 million-year-old rainforests of The Habitat Penang Hill. Enjoy the eco-park's 1.6km trail dotted with canopy bridges and zip line adventures. EXPLORE Away from bustling George Town, take a 30-minute drive towards Penang's famous Batu Ferringhi area, which is lined with luxury beachfront resorts offering endless options to host team building activities, receptions and private barbecues. Just 10 minutes away by car is Teluk Bahang – a serene stretch overlooking the Straits of Malacca that is abounding in activities for nature-seekers, adrenalin junkies and corporate incentives participants. There is the ESCAPE Theme Park with zip lines, fancy slides and bungee jumping stations; Craft Batik offering curated classes on the unique art form; and the Tropical Spice Garden, an eco-tourism wonder that offers fascinating trails, cooking classes and nature education programmes. PLAY Go on a trishaw heritage trail and turn this exploration into a team- bonding session. Delegates can search for historical treasures while experiencing local life and stopping at iconic areas like Armenian Street, home to hip street art within George Town. THINK UNIQUE

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