Botanic Gardens in Penang
Penang Botanic Gardens is a favourite among locals for serene morning stroll and a verdant sanctuary for tourists to escape the busyness of George Town. It’s also a lush natural park home to Penang’s exquisite wild greenery and cheeky monkey population.
So, if you’re in need of an escape to nature and change of scenery after spending too much time in hectic George Town, head to Penang Botanic Gardens for a fill of flora, fauna, and quietude.
A natural heritage park
Image credit: Jia-ju
There’s no question that whenever one is looking for a bit of repose in a verdant oasis in Penang, the Penang Botanic Gardens is the spot to head to. What’s more, it’s a mere minutes’ drive from the city centre.
Arguably the most famous and largest green space in Penang, the Penang Botanical Garden boasts an impressive collection of flowering splendours spread out over 242 hectares of land. It also functions as the city’s primary green lung.
The idea of a botanical institution garden can be traced back to 1884, when Briton Charles Curtis began developing an “experimental garden” growing spices. It was named the Waterfall Gardens, after a gushing waterfall that cascaded the hills within the garden.
Over the centuries, the garden further expanded to hug the foothills of Penang Hill, developing unique herbarium collections now comprising over 4,000 samples and 10,000 species of plants and tropical vegetation.
Come dawn, the circular roads, weaving valleys, and eden-green meadows of the Penang Botanic Gardens will be filled with joggers and nature lovers.
There is no admission fee to enter the Penang Botanical Gardens, so visitors can freely enjoy the beauty of nature. It’s also easily accessible by vehicle, as there are numerous ample parking lots leading into the garden.
Unreal curated and themed gardens
Penang Botanic Gardens does not fall into the category of “If you have seen one garden, you have seen them all”. Apart from being a botanic marvel brimming with plants, it also features a handful of gorgeous curated and themed gardens, and unique heritage plant zones where you can bask in stunning greenery.
Right at the entrance of the garden, there are alluring fountains and mini ponds covered with large lily pads and water lilies blossoming among them. Along with a majestic backdrop of lush hills and mountains, this natural water feature is a sight to behold.
Formal Garden
Head further in and look out for directions to several themed gardens. The Formal Garden sits closest to the entrance, and comprises an exquisite European-style garden that looks something right out of a Jane Austen novel.
Wonder at the verdant shrubs studded with vibrant blossoms, that part into a beckoning walkway – you’ll feel like the main character of Bridgerton strolling down this area. There’s a blubbering fountain that greets you at the centre ground of the beautifully landscaped garden, which makes for a picturesque view.
In fact, the Formal Garden is said to have been a place that was used to host tea parties and important events during the British colonial period in Malaysia.
Japanese and Bamboo Gardens
Be transported to the holistic verdant naturescapes of Japan when you walk into the Japanese and Bamboo Gardens, located just next to the English garden.
Find quintessential elements of a Japanese-style garden here, including a distinctive Torri archway, stone structures, and mini pagodas that echo the rooflines of Japanese houses. Soaring masses of bamboo shoots line the brick walkways, adding to the far-Eastern feel of the garden.
Several conservatories, including a Fern & Cactus House
No doubt, the Penang Botanic Gardens is a place where plant lovers and nature enthusiasts will revel in.
Sure, it is a famous spot to stretch one’s legs or to photograph stunning shots. But the sprawling garden contains incredible forms of flora, some of which are rare, that deserve closer looks.
The Fern & Cactus House boasts unique species of ferns and succulent plants.
Dotted throughout the garden are several conservatories housing rare plant collections. These include Fern and Cactus House, Palm Collection, Aroid Walkway, Orchidarium, Perdana Conservatory, Cactus House, Bromeliad and Begonia House, Herb Garden, Fern Rockery, and Sun Rockery.
Some highlights that tree lovers can look out for throughout the garden include the Cannonball tree, grand Sengkuang tree with its buttress roots, Pinang palm trees, sinisterly dark purple Black Lily, and the Candle tree.
A Lily Pond
Explore deeper and find even more natural treasures. Follow a sign that points to the Lily Pond, walk along a creek that’s nearly hidden by lush foliage, and you’ll reach a bewitching sanctuary where a gully and a mini-waterfall flow into a large water lily pond.
This pond is almost engulfed by dense vegetation, giving this area a rather magical feel. Spot red carp fishes darting within the waters and turtles chilling about the banks.
Vast and open spaces for recreational activities
In a green oasis so vast that it feels almost like a labyrinth, there are various open spaces and fields where visitors can catch their breath and get some stretching exercises in.
The plush-green meadows are popular landscapes favoured by locals for aerobics, yoga, and tai chi classes – the soft grass, fresh air, and fusillade of cricket songs make this the perfectly peaceful setting for recreational activities.
Monkeys swarm the grounds occasionally, so do refrain from having a picnic here – you wouldn’t want these sneaky friends snatching food out of your hands.
Penang Botanic Gardens is also the starting point for several hiking trails, a few of which lead all the way up to the iconic Penang Hill.
The most popular trail here features an unmistakably resplendent moongate entrance. The steep climb of this trail snakes up to various pit stops of different levels, making it a feasible trek even for first-time hikers.
Take a break in nature at Penang Botanic Gardens
Penang Botanical Gardens may often be overshadowed by the more stand-out touristy attractions on the island. But it is a precious green space of Penang that is frequented by many locals, where greenery, fresh air, and serenity abounds. For a break in nature, drop by this sanctuary of wonder and tranquility.
Address: Kompleks Pentadbiran, Bangunan Pavilion, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 6am-8pm, Daily
For more places in Penang, here is the hiking trail to Emperor Villa in Penang and Fort Cornwallis, the largest intact fortress in Malaysia.
Photography by Jia-Ju.
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Malaysia
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