Best Place to Explore In Batu Ferringhi
Batu Ferringhi is such a tranquil and friendly place that you may just find yourself browsing through real estate brochures before your trip is over. However that is not to say that there is not much to see and do here – on the contrary, whether you are looking for a wet and wild time in the water, or just interested in immersing in local culture, Batu Ferringhi has the go-to spots to accommodate all travellers. From learning how to batik-paint, visiting a charming butterfly farm, strolling through a one-of-a-kind spice garden, or enjoying watery thrills and spills in an amusement park, this area has something for everyone. Take a look at our ten favourite things to see-and do in Batu Ferringhi before you check out of this thriving beach strip.
Penang National Park
Penang National Park is the world’s smallest national park. Within the park are well-marked trails that lead into the jungle and to the bays around; it contains about 410 species of flora and 143 species of fauna ranging from snakes, macaques and leaf monkeys to otters, hawksbill turtles and dolphins.
Formerly known as the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, it is located further up the west side of Penang Island, past a twisting, forested section of road. Comprising 1181 hectares of forest and 1381 hectares of wetlands, it is a pleasant enough place with a waterfall and a pool for a pleasant swim. Camping facilities are available: telephone the Wildlife Office at Teluk Bahang to make reservations. You will have to register at the office before you can enter the park; Penang National Park is accessible via Teluk Bahang at the end of Batu Ferringhi Road. Bus no. 101 runs a route past Teul Bahang: from there it is a short walk away.
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00
Address: Jalan Hassan Abas, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang
Tel: +604 881 3530
Location: Penang National Park
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Entopia Park
Opened in 1986, the Penang Butterfly Farm – located in Teluk Bahang – is one of Penang’s best known and most popular tourist attractions. The eight-hectare butterfly sanctuary houses an impressively varied collection of butterfly species as well as an assortment of other insects. The farm sits at the foot of the Teluk Bahang hills – between the Taman Rimba Park and Teluk Bahang village. It features more than 4,000 butterflies from more than 120 groups as well as other insects and reptiles.
The ‘living museum’ houses various exotic butterfly species including the Rajah Brooke and the endangered Yellow Bird wing butterfly and it also plays host to over 300 plant species. Additionally, it is involved in breeding programs thus resulting in its function as an education, entertainment and research centre. Meanwhile, located within the park, is the Tropical Fruit Farm – a 25-acre organic orchard with more than 250 types of fruit including durians and West Indian cherries. Along with a tour around the orchard, you should also take the opportunity to sample the delicious fruits as well as freshly squeezed fruit juices.
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Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:30 Monday – Friday; 09:00 – 18:00 Saturday & Sunday
Address: No. 830, Jalan Teluk Bahang
Tel: +604 885 1253
Location: Entopia Park
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Address:Lone Crag Villa, Lot 595 Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11100 Penang
Tel:+ 604 881 1797
Location: Penang Tropical Spice Garden
Penang Tropical Spice Garden
Batu Ferringhi Beach
Just a 15-minute drive from the centre of Georgetown, Batu Ferringhi’s beach is one of Penang Island’s most stunning bodies of water – think powder white sands spilling out onto turquoise blue waters, that stretch all the way up the northern peninsula. The best way to enjoy this beautiful strip of sand is to bring a beach blanket and soak in the sun’s rays, but if you are not the type to sunbathe we recommend hitting up one of the water sport operators (such as the one opposite Waverunner Beach Chalet) that are set up along the beach to rent a kayak, jet ski or banana boat to have some splashing good fun. Most of this strip is taken up by luxury hotels (Shangri La Rasa Sayang, Hard Rock Hotel etc.) but there are quite a few public beaches – simply drive along the strip to find the best ones: we prefer the one right beside Golden Sands by Shangri La Resort.
Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang