| 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.
 Balik Pulau
The hills of Balik Pulau abound with clove and nutmeg
trees which bear fruit in November-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 - 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.
Forest Recreational Park
The diehard nature lovers will find delight in the recreational
forests of Teluk 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.
Kampung Seronok, Bayan
Lepas
-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 it 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.
 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 Botanical Gardens.
The hike itself is about 6.7 km or 4.5 miles long, which will take
hikers an average of 2 to 4 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.
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 hisory as a penal colony - a
mystical tourch tot he surounding pristine nature.
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.
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.
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