Entopia, butterfly farm in Penang
Malaysia has plenty of scenic parks for us to become one with nature. Some of the best ones are packed with flowers and butterflies to make us feel as if we’ve wandered into a garden straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. Enter Entopia, a butterfly farm in Penang with over 15,000 free-flying butterflies and 200 different plant species.
Besides being an important habitat for nature and animals, the local attraction with its dome steel-frame roof also looks like the Cloud Forest in Singapore’s Gardens By The Bay. Here’s what you can expect to see on a visit here – waterfalls and plenty of photo-worthy spots included.
A butterfly aviary with waterfalls & caves
Image credit: Entopia
Entopia was once known as the Penang Butterfly Garden when it opened back in 1986. But it has since rebranded itself into a nature-learning facility with a conservation park open for public visitors. And it’s pretty impressive even on the outside.
Image credit: @vismensubphotography
You can see over 80,000 plants forming a green wall on the building’s facade. This is meant to mimic the surface patterns on a leaf. It even earned the title of “Biggest Green Wall” in Malaysia in 2017 by the Malaysian Book of Records.
Image credit: @eeda_shiu
But take your time and enter this attraction to visit its butterfly aviaries called Natureland. It’s a vivarium – or enclosure designed to keep animals under semi-natural conditions – with greenhouse temperatures to cater to thousands of butterflies and plants.
Hang out with butterflies while taking in views of man-made waterfalls.
Image adapted from: @yuniqueyuni and @yu_jie12
While you’re interacting with the dreamy winged creatures, you’ll be treated to sights of several waterfalls, ponds with floating lily pads, and caves too.
Image credit: @syafiqahhashimxoxo
There’s also a center structure you can’t miss out on here called Home Tree. It’s a massive tree that just barely grazes the top of the roof, and with unique branches that look almost like a person’s hand.
Indoor galleries & a cafe set in nature
Pandora Forest.
Image credit: @myentopia
Once you’re done exploring the gardens, head inside to Entopia’s Cocoon Indoor Discovery Centre. It’s a 2-storey exhibition area with enchanting galleries, such as the Pandora Forest that’s an interactive space to learn about legends and myths of butterflies and moths.
Exhibition area and Time Tunnel at Entopia.
Image adapted from: @itsjoshuakee and @csng501
There’s also a fun Time Tunnel that lights up and changes colours as you walk through it.
Image credit: @myentopia
Once you feel peckish, drop by Tapestree, an in-house cafe set among impressive views of nature back in Natureland. You’ll have Asian options of Ah Boy Chicken Rice (RM22) and Western plates such as Chicken Aglio Olio (RM22) and Tuna Wrap With Fries (RM24).
Top it all off with a cup of Cafe Latte (RM11.50) or Mocha (RM12.50), or non-caffeinated options of Iced Lemon Tea (RM5) or Iced Milo (RM6.50).
Not leaving anyone out, this cafe has also recently been certified Halal.
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm in Penang
We can’t get enough of nature spots in Malaysia – especially when it involves butterflies and flowers. So for the best of both worlds and a day well spent in nature, pop by Entopia this weekend.
Tickets for adults (from RM49/pax) and kids (from RM29/pax) can be purchased online here.
Address: 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang
Opening hours: Thu-Tue 9am-6pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: 04-888 8111 | Entopia website
For more things to do in Penang, check out our other articles:
- 10 bakeries in Penang for bread, pastry, & cake lovers
- 8 thrift stores in Penang
- 15 waterfalls in Malaysia
- 8 mountain resorts in Malaysia
Cover image adapted from: @syafiqahhashimxoxo, @myentopia and @yu_jie12
This article was originally published on 28th August 2020, and updated on 24th November 2022.