Garden highlights include a compact orchidarium, a water lily pond, a fern house, and a wealth of unusual species, including precious ebony, the Pinang palm which gave Penang island its name, and the cannonball tree, which sprouts clusters of hard round fruit from its trunk. Plenty of wildlife flirts through the trees, from monkeys and squirrels to giant brightly hued butterflies, and, while a little less manicured than other botanical gardens in the region, it’s a rewarding way to spend a few hours. The gardens are a common stop on multi-day Penang tours.
The Penang Botanic Gardens sit in the Penang hills, about 4 miles (7 kilometers) north of George Town’s historic center. Pick up bus 10 from Jetty, Komtar, or points in between: the botanical gardens are the last stop.
The gardens are open from very early in the morning until the middle of the evening, seven days a week. Weekends are popular with picnickers. If you’re planning to hike up Penang Hill, go early or late in the day.
Penang might feel manicured, but it has plenty of beautiful garden experiences. Try Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm, home to over 120 species of colorful fluttering critters, or taste local flavors fresh from the tree at the Tropical Fruit Farm or Tropical Spice Garden. For more of a rainforest experience, check out The Habitat Penang Hill, with a 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) nature trail plus gardens and a zipline course.