Penang Tropical Spice Garden

Set just up the road from the Teluk Bahang junction, Penang’s Tropical Spice Garden is an eight-acre collection of secondary jungle with some 500 species of flora and fauna. Southeast Asia’s only tropical spice garden is a good place to spend the afternoon with your kids – the nature conservation complex features three garden trails that take you on 20-45 minute journeys past stream crossings, waterfalls and structures made of recycled organic materials. The award-winning farm was set up utilizing predominantly natural and recycled building materials salvaged from pre-war shop houses or sourced from local antique stores.

Tropical Spice Garden Saving the Earth

Set just up the road from the Teluk Bahang junction, Penang’s Tropical Spice Garden is an eight-acre collection of secondary jungle with some 500 species of flora and fauna. Southeast Asia’s only tropical spice garden is a good place to spend the afternoon with your kids – the nature conservation complex features three garden trails that take you on 20-45 minute journeys past stream crossings, waterfalls and structures made of recycled organic materials. The award-winning farm was set up utilizing predominantly natural and recycled building materials salvaged from pre-war shop houses or sourced from local antique stores.

Flora and fauna at Tropical Spice Garden

Situated along Penang’s north-western shores, on an abandoned, rubber plantation, this eco-tourism course has three jungle trails; the Spice Trail, Ornamental Trail and Jungle Trail – these treks that take you past different sections of the compound. Each ‘room’ features special plant collections such as spices and herbs, aquatic plants and jungle flora. You can choose to explore the park on your own as there is instructional signage exhibiting the names and uses of each plant to guide you or you can take part in the guided tours available.

Malaysian Culinary Experimentation

Besides that, guests (and more importantly, kids) can also try their hand at Malaysian cooking as the estate recently opened a culinary school where dishes are made using all manner of herbs and spices. Set in an airy building surrounded by the spice gardens, overlooking Teluk Bahang bay, the centre utilises a hands-on approach to cooking – you’ll get to prepare meals from scratch in small, personalized classes, using spices from the gardens around you.

Dine and Shop at Tropical Spice Garden

Alternatively, if you’re feeling peckish the Tree Monkey Restaurant serves up Asian-Thai favourites as well as offers unparalleled views of nearby Teluk Bahang Bay. Before you leave, be sure to pick up some souvenirs from the gift store – the Gift Shop has spices as well as exclusively designed T-shirts, stationery, toiletries and spa products for sale. Plus you can also get your hands on a collection of horticultural literature for both beginners and specialists. Alternatively, get a potted plant from the Garden Shop as a memento.