Penang, Malaysia

Penang is an island in Malaysia that sits at the Strait of Malacca. The city here was built in the 18th century by the British as an important Asian base of operations. The island became a bustling trading hub, which motivated people from China and India to cross the seas and settle here. It's a multi-ethnic city with many different cultures flourishing, living side by side. Located in the northeastern part of Penang Island, George Town was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. In 2008, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.