Some of the country’s most beautiful beaches are located in the northern part of Penang. Visitors have been known to flock to this island for some time off on its beaches as much as to sample a piece of its history and culture.
Penang is a highly-developed island. However, some vestige of precious rainforest is still preserved for locals and visitors to remind themselves of the importance of nature in a developing world. Visitors can engage in a variety of nature-based activities, such as a train ride up Penang Hill, trekking in Teluk Bahang Recreational Forest or playing with snakes in the Snake Temple.
 Bird Park
The first and largest of its kind in Malaysia, Penang Bird Park’s 5-acre land area is home to more than 300 species of birds from all over the world, including some rare and exotic ones. More than 150 cages, including two massive walk-in aviaries that imitate the birds’ natural habitat, house thousands of birds for breeding and conservation purpose. Its beautifully-landscaped gardens feature an impressive collection of flora amidst free-roaming pelicans, flamingoes, swans, storks and ducks. Penang Bird Park is also a home to a variety of wildlife species such as deers, reptiles and tortoises.
Address: Jalan Todak, Seberang Jaya, Seberang Prai (near Sunway Hotel)
Tel: (604) 399 1899
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:00 – 19:00
 Butterfly Farm
More than just a visitors’ attraction, the Penang Butterfly Farm is a living museum of sorts which also acts as an education and research centre. Established in 1986 by David Goh, the Penang Butterfly Farm drew inspiration from the Stratford Butterfly Farm in England. Some 4000 butterflies from more than 120 species can be found here, including some rare ones such as the unique Indian Leaf, the stunning Yellow Birdwing and the magnificent Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing. Visitors can’t help but be enchanted by these delicate beauties fluttering about freely in a lush, natural setting. The farm also features some insect and reptile species, as well as over 300 plant species.
Address: No. 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang
Tel: (604) 8851253
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:30, Weekends & public Holidays 09:00 – 18:00. Last entry half an hour before closing time. Showtime is at 10:00 & 15:00 daily.
 Botanical Garden
Filled with all sorts of plants from hundreds of species, Penang Botanic Gardens showcases the wonders of nature in a sprawling 29 hectares of green land. A public park cum botanical gardens, it is as much an educational area as a recreational spot. Hiking through its jungles or jogging in its parks is a refreshingly pleasant affair. There is also an impressive waterfall within.
Address: Jalan Kebun Bunga
Getting here: It is possible to walk to Penang Botanic Gardens from Pengkalan Weld, if your feet could carry you far. Cross Pengkalan Weld by the pedestrian bridge, turn left and walk until you reach the junction with Gat Lebuh Chulia. Turn right and walk the distance until you arrive at Penang Botanic Gardens. Alternatively, you can also take the transit link bus No. 7 from KOMTAR.
Tel: (604) 227 0428/228 5125
Opening Hours: Daily, 05:00 – 20:00
 Snake Temple
Also known as ‘Temple of the Azure Cloud’, the Snake Temple was originally built in 1850, in the memory of Chor Soo Kong, a Buddhist monk said to have great healing powers. According to legend, he had provided shelter to a number of snakes during those days, and it is said that the snakes that had entered the temple had stayed and never left as a mark of respect to the monk. One of the oldest temples in the world, devotees come from all over the world to visit the temple every year. Local devotees believe that the snakes residing within the temple had come of their own accord, and even though they look quite docile and are believed to be de-venomed, it is still not advisable to touch them or pick them up on your own. Stepping into the temple is quite a surreal experience you can see several snakes in all shapes, colours and sizes slithering about – definitely not for those with ophidiophobia.
Location: Sungai Kluang, Bayan Lepas (near the airport)
Tel: (604) 261 6663/ 262 0202
Opening Hours: Daily, 07:00 – 19:00
 Penang Hills
Penang Hill, or Flagstaff Hill (Bukit Bendera) as it is officially known, rises 821 metres above sea level, providing a welcome respite from the heat down below. One of the most popular attractions in Penang, a trip up Penang Hill is something that is not to be missed when visiting this island; breathtaking panoramic views of the whole island awaits you at the top, as far as the eyes can see. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Seberang Prai. A funicular train takes you all the way up to the top of the hill in half an hour. On top you will find a restaurant, a Hindu temple, a church, a mosque and a snake show where you can take photos with a tame python for a fee.
Location: Air Itam, George Town (about 3km from Kek Lok Si Temple).
How To Get There: From Weld Quay, Komtar & Lebuh Chulia, take Rapid Penang bus No. U204 which takes you straight to Penang Hill. You can also get there by taxi, costing approximately RM 20 per journey.
Train’s Operating Hours: Sunday – Friday 06:30 – 21:30, Saturday & Public Holiday 06:30 – 23:30.
Tel: (604) 262 0202
Bukit Jambul Orchid & Hibiscus Garden
Encompassing two hectares of beautifully-landscaped gardens, Bukit Jambul Orchid & Hibiscus Garden is home to an astounding variety of flora and fauna, some of which are unique and can be found only in this part of the world. Other than the obvious – orchids, hibiscus and reptiles - the garden also has a cacti collection, a deer park, a pottery shop, a waterfall and an ornamental Japanese pond. You can even take some of the plants home by purchasing them from the garden shop. Its residents include a 20kg albino python, a 100-year-old tortoise, a pair of Bengal tigers, a talking parrot, 6 arapaima gigas, the world's largest tiger orchid and a green anaconda.
Location: Persiaran Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas (near Hotel Equatorial)
Tel: (604) 644 8863
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:30 – 17:30 (a snake show is performed twice daily during weekends and public holidays at 11:30 and 15:30)
Penang National Park
Penang National Park, otherwise known as Taman Negara Pulau Pinang, is a piece of nature reserve in the northwest corner of the island. Many flora and fauna species can be found here, including some very rare and endangered ones, thriving in abundance for centuries, untouched and undisturbed. Trails around the forest brings you in touch with the wonders of nature living within it.
Address: Jalan Hassan Abas, Teluk Bahang
Tel: (604) 881 3530/3500
Sungai Tukun Recreational Forest
Cover 23-hectares of rainforest, Sungai Tukun is a small but charming
place to enjoy the treasures of nature. For bird-watchers, the Sungai Tukun area attracts white-bellied
eagles, eaglets and kingfishers while those who want a panoramic
view of Teluk Bahang and Batu Feringgi can climb up to the observation
tower. Camping grounds and dormitories are available for those who wish
to spend a night out in the forest.
Bukit Panchor Forest Park
A small but well-developed recreation park, Bukit Panchor Forest Park is a 8-hectare lowland forest located in Nibong Tebal near Seberang Perai. With flowing river and lush vegetation, the forest provides a welcome respite from the hectic city life. There’s plenty to see and do here, such as unique mangrove life forms, bat caves and a wetland boardwalk.
Location: Bukit Panchor, Nibong Tebal
Tropical Fruit Farm
On the hilly terrain of Teluk Bahang, approximately 800 feet above sea level, the Tropical Fruit Farm flourishes with all sorts of tropical and sub-tropical fruit trees, from durians to West Indian cherries. Spread over 25 acres, the orchard was developed for the conservation of rare and exotic fruits, as well as a means to promote local fruits to visitors both local and international. Boasting over 250 types of fruit including some rare and exotic ones originating from faraway lands such as the Caribbean and Central Africa, the orchards also features only organic produce, using organic fertilisers instead of chemicals and pesticides. Visitors will be taken on a tour around the orchard, as well as a chance to sample the fruits and quench their thirst over freshly-pressed fruit juices made from these fruits.
Address: Batu 18, Jalan Teluk Bahang
Tel: (604) 227 6223/ 8665168 / (6012) 497 1931
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:00 – 18:00 (last Farm tour at 17:00)
Teluk Bahang Recreational Park
Measuring a whopping 32 hectares, Teluk Bahang Recreational Park is a popular and well-maintained recreational park equipped with park benches, picnic and camping areas, waterfalls and a playground. Showcasing a wide variety of flora and fauna, it provides an interesting introduction to the Malaysian rainforest with a good network of hiking trails and a well-manned forestry museum.
Location: Northwest of Penang, approximately 24km from George Town (near the Teluk Bahang Dam)
Tel: (604) 885 1280/2388
Opening Hours: Saturday – Thursday 09:00 – 17:00, Fridays closed from 12:00 – 14:45
Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
Rising 457m above sea level, Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest sprawls over 37 hectares of lush, hilly terrain. This forest reserve is equipped with camping sites and numerous streams pouring into shallow ponds. The four-kilometre hiking trail that leads all the way to the mountain’s summit is extremely popular with hikers and joggers alike. A small waterfall also passes through this area, providing visitors with a refreshing cool dip.
Location: Nearby Bukit Mertajam town, approximately 18km from the Butterworth Ferry Terminal.
Tel: (604) 539 1743
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