New Penang attractions to welcome China holidaymakers

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Penang tourism officials are gearing up for an influx of visitors from China during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Golden Week holidays, supported by direct flights from multiple Chinese cities and a new route launching in October. This surge is crucial for local businesses as it aligns with ongoing promotional efforts targeting China's Greater Bay Area and aims to strengthen Penang's position in the outbound Chinese travel market.

Tourism officials in Penang are preparing for an expected increase in visitors from China as the country observes two significant holiday periods: the Mid-Autumn Festival, which concludes on September 27, and the National Day Golden Week from October 1 to 7. These holidays, combined with potential leave adjustments, allow Chinese travelers up to 13 consecutive days off, boosting opportunities for overseas trips.

Wong Hon Wai, chairman of Penang’s tourism and creative economy committee, highlighted the state’s efforts to engage with China-based airlines operating in Malaysia to monitor passenger volumes, market trends, and anticipated visitor numbers ahead of the busy season. Currently, Penang maintains direct flight connections to several major Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Qingdao. A new direct route between Haikou and Penang is also set to commence on October 11.

Last month, Penang’s government conducted a “Fall in Love with Penang” promotional roadshow in Guangzhou and Zhuhai, targeting the Greater Bay Area—a cluster of cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, Zhaoqing, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. Wong described this region as a strategic market, noting ongoing collaboration with tourism industry partners to deepen Penang’s reach in China and convert this into tangible business for local operators.

The holiday seasons represent an important time for outbound Chinese travelers planning international visits. In addition to the immediate peak season, Penang officials are preparing for the upcoming winter flight schedule, running from late 2026 into early 2027. The goal remains to broaden Penang’s appeal within China’s outbound travel market, enhancing the region’s visibility and reinforcing its tourism branding.

Penang offers a diverse range of attractions catering to multiple visitor groups, including families, youth travelers, and seniors. Recent government and private sector investments have upgraded and expanded tourism sites, with highlights such as the reopened Penang State Museum and Fort Cornwallis, the Penang State Museum Automotive Gallery, Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery, Guar Kepah Gallery, Ferringhi Bay, and the Penang Ferry Museum. Other notable destinations include the Penang River Cruise, Penang History Gallery, Straits & Oriental Museum, Entopia by Night, Umi Umi, Forest Island, Penang Indian Heritage Gallery and Cultural Centre, as well as the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre.

According to Tourism Malaysia, Chinese visitors to the country spend an average of RM6,291.29 per person and typically stay for around 6.6 days, underscoring the market’s significance to Malaysia’s tourism sector.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.