| NATURAL GATEWAYS AND
PARKS |
Minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city
is Penang’s natural heritage: her emerald green hills and golden sandy
beaches. Leisure activities are varied - tennis to golf, riding to scuba
diving. Penang is one place where you can jog, cycle, sunbathe, sail, beachcomb,
snorkel and windsurf.
 The Aquarium of
the Fisheries Research Institute
Have you ever visited
an aquarium? If you have not, now's the time to see and touch our diverse
marine wonders at the Fisheries Research Institute aquarium at Batu Maung.
What are you waiting for?
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here for full story
Admission fees: RM5 for adults, RM2 for kids 7 to 12
years and RM1.50 for school groups.
There is no charge for kids below 7 years.
The aquarium is located at the Fisheries Research Institute grounds at Batu
Maung.
Tel: 04-626 3925 and Fax: 04-626 2210.
 Balik
Pulau
The hills of Balik Pulau
abound with clove and nutmeg trees which bear fruit in November to January
and July. Or savor the durian, a seasonal fruit which is the luscious "king
of fruits".
Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus
Garden
The Bukit Jambul
Orchid & Hibiscus Garden and Reptile House are located along Persiaran
Bukit Jambul, close to the Hotel Equatorial; only a leisurely 5-minute drive
away from the Penang International Airport.
Opening hours: 9:30am to 5:30pm
Entrance Fee: RM 4.00 adults and RM 1.00 children.
 Beaches and Fishing
Villages
Most activities are
centered around Batu Ferringhi, where most of the popular beach resorts are
located. Their facilities include waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, water
scooters, and waterskiing. This prime stretch of beach is always a hive of
activity with elite nightspots and restaurants which come to life in the
evening.
Further down is the equally
lovely Teluk Bahang Beach, which houses an international beach resort and
is home to kampungs and a fishing village. If privacy is preferred, head
for the secluded beaches of Teluk Duyung, Monkey Beach, Pantai Kerachut and
Pantai Mas which are accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh Forest
Reserve from Teluk Bahang.
The Pasir Panjang Beach
at the south-western tip of the island is a secluded stretch of beach and
clear waters, at the end of a 25-minute hike over challenging terrain from
Betong.
See also Batu Maung, a small
fishing village at the south-eastern tip of the island, which owes its fame
to the beach-front shrine dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho, the famous
Chinese admiral who featured prominently in the history of the Malacca Sultanate.
The huge footprint in the
vicinity is said to be that of the Admiral’s and is worshipped as something
sacred. There is a belief that anyone who lights joss sticks and places it
in an urn beside the footprint will be bestowed good fortune. The best seafood
on the island can also be found here.
Botanical
Gardens
 This 30-hectare sprawling garden
of flora and fauna is a favourite recreation spot for locals. Central to
the Gardens is a waterfall that start over a hundred metres above, hence
its more popular moniker of "Waterfall Gardens". Today, the waterfall is
a restricted area and hidden from public view by the green foliage.
While the vibrant hues of
Penang’s native fauna is the prominent feature, the star attraction
is the large number of macaque monkeys that greet visitors from the entrance
right to the heart of the garden. Walkers, joggers, runners, picnickers and
lovers frequent this gem of a garden for its spacious and blissful
settings.
Butterfly
Farm
 Located at Teluk Bahang, 20km
from George Town, the Butterfly Farm covers an area of 0.8 hectare. Visitors
can marvel at the hundreds of species of butterflies and local insects in
their natural habitat. The best time to visit is in the late morning or early
afternoon, when the butterflies are most active.
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Kampung Seronok, Batu Maung
The name "Kampung Seronok"
originated from a suggestion by an English engineer, D.W. Grehan who had,
on a number of occasions, shared in the joy and merrymaking of the kampung
folk, the the days shortly after the Japanese Surrender.
 What makes this place unique is
the fact that it is virtually 'open' to visitors who are free to observe
and participate in the various cultural activities, traditional games and
rural economic pursuits of the people, showcasing the intrinsic values of
traditional village life.
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for full story
Penang Forestry
Museum
Did you
know that one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world is found on
Penang island? Or that Penang is home to diverse species of plants and insects?
Discover and learn about the wonders of our very own natural
heritage at the Penang Forestry Museum, located within the Telok Bahang Forest
Park.
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here
for full story
Penang Hill
Penang Hill
is actually made up of a series of hills which rise above the island. The
peak stands at 821 metres above sea level, which makes it a cool getaway
from the tropical heat below.
The hill is accessible via
a funicular train which was first opened for use in 1923. The train operates
in two sections and passengers change railcars at midpoint. It takes about
half an hour to reach the summit and the train service operates at half hour
intervals.
Alternatively, the fit and
adventurous can hike up the hill from the many hiking trails available —
the most popular trails start at access points close to the Penang Botanic
Gardens. The hike itself is about 6.7 km or 4.5 miles long, which will
take hikers an average of two to four hours, depending on level of
fitness.
Upon reaching the summit,
one is rewarded with a panoramic view of Penang island. There are also old
bungalows, a hotel, bird park and walking trails which are worth checking
out. Click here for full story
Pulau Aman
Pulau Aman in Bhasa
malaysia means "island of peace" and as its name suggests, it is the gateway
to tranquility and serenity. Situated on an island covering and area of 288
acres, it is 2.5 nautical miles from the mainland just off the coast of Seberang
Perai's southern district. The nearest town is Bukit Tambun.
An idlyllic fishing village with a population of only three hundred, the
majority of people on Pulau Aman ar elderly folks and laughing, carefree
children.
Fishing, water sports and jungle trekking are some of the popular activities
of hoiday-makers on the island. Places of interest, each with their own
fascinationg story to tell, await the exploration of the adventurous.
Pulau Jerejak
Pulau
Jerejak is only minutes away from Penang city life yet tucked away among
the magnificence of a lush tropical rainforest; also known as the "virgin
jungle" island as it is one of the few reamining preserves of primary forest
in Malaysia. A virtually undisturbed island graced with the rich diversity
of 362ha of over 210 species of flora and fauna. Towering tropical trees,
lingering lianas and exotic orchids prove to be shelters to some of the most
remarkable living creatures, such as the monitor lizard and the White-Bellied
Sea Eagle.
The island also boasts of an ancient emerald environment,
older than the equatorial forests of the Amazon or the Congo, thus producing
a marvellous ecosystem that is both inspiring and engaging. Equally intriguing
is the island's history as a penal colony – a interesting bit to the
surounding pristine nature.
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full story on Jerejak Resort and Spa
Telok Bahang Recreational
Forest
The diehard nature
lovers will find delight in the recreational forests of Telok Bahang, Sungai
Tukun and Pantai Kerachut on the island and Bukit Mertajam on the mainland.
There is a bewildering range
of flowering plants and numerous species of insects, exotic birds, butterflies,
snakes and lizards. Expect to find jungle tracks that lead to the heart of
the forest with camping sites along the way.
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here
for full story
Tropical Fruit
Farm
Tropical fruit farm
is situated at about 900 ft above sea level on the hilly terrain of Teluk
Bahang, the orchard covers 25 acres and it was developed back in 1993 to
converse the rare and exotic fruit trees and to educate and promote to the
locals as well as foreigners on the gift that our land is blessed.
 Tropical Spice Garden
... the region's
largest Spice Garden located in a eight-acre valley fronting the shores of
Teluk Bahang on Penang island. The Garden showcases a living collection of
more than 500 varieties of local and introduced flora from Malaysia and around
the world, with particular emphasis on tropical herbs and spices, and also
wild animals, birds and insects set amongst a lush nature conservation.
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