Welcome to Penang National Park

Penang National Park is located at the end of the famous Batu Feringghi Road and past the fishing village of Teluk Bahang at Penang's northen tip. The park offers you some excellent trails through the rainforest. To reach the park, tourists can opt for a 30 minute boat ride from Teluk Bahang.

Attractions at the park include Teluk Duyung (Mermaid Bay), a broad bay protected by the Cape of Muka Head and Pantai Kerachut. It is a popular beach also known as Monkey Beach for the large numbers of monkeys found there. There is an old burial ground of Achehnese origin in the area.

Pantai Kerachut is a white sand beach popular as a picnic and camping site. It is also a site where the green turtles come to nest from April to August while the Olive Ridley turtles come in between September and February.

The area contains a meromitictic lake about one square kilometre in size, where fresh water from the island's streams meet sea water. During dry seasons and low tide, the lake is a mudflat and when the tide rises, sea water gradually fills the lake while fresh water remains on top of the denser sea water. Certain fish, birds and reptilia have adapted to living within this unusual environment.

Click here to get more information about Penang National Park and pictures.

Getting to Penang Island, Malaysia

By air, Penang is easily accessible by air with daily flights from major capitals of the region. It has direct links with Singapore, Bangkok, Nagoya, Medan, Xiamen (China) and Madras, through flights operated by Malaysia Airlines. The airline also operates more than 20 flights daily between Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Malaysian Airlines (MAS) Telephone No.
Ground Floor, KOMTAR, Penang (60)4-262 0011 or (60)4-262 1403
Penang International Airport (60)4-643 0811
24 hour reservations: Kuala Lumpur (60)3-8777 8888 (KLIA)

The Penang International Airport is about 20 km from the city centre. Taxis plying the route follow the coupon system by which fixed fares are charged between the airport and various destinations in Penang. Limousines fares cost slightly higher.

By road, Penang Island is accessible by road via the Penang Bridge. A charge of RM 7.00 about USD1.6 is levied on all classes of cars using the bridge at the toll plaza in Prai on the mainlad. No payment is required for the return trip from the island to the mainland.

By Ferry, From Butterworth, visitors can take the ferry to Penang Island. Operated by the Penang Port Commission, the ferry service available for both passenggers and vehicles. Fares for passsengers and vehicle charges are collected at the Butterworth terminal. No payment is required for the return journey.

Opening hours: 6.00 am to 1.00 am
Ferry charges
Vehicles: RM 7.00 or about USD 1.6 for car
RM 4.00 for motorcycle

By rail, The train journey from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth takes approximately 8 hours and affords passengers views of the scenic countryside of Peninsular Malaysia. Comfortable airconditioned first and second class coaches are available at reasonable rates. Malayan Railway or Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad(KTMB) also operates regularly services to Alor Star, Padang Besar, Haadyai and Bangkok from Butterworth. For enquiries regarding train services or fares, you can contact the KTMB offices at Port Weld in Penang.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad
Penang KTMB (60)4-261 0290
Butterworth KTMB (60)4-331 2796

About Penang

Penang, "The pearl of the orient" lies off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The state comprises the island of Penang, covering an area about 285 sq km, and a narrow strip of approximately 760 sq km on the mainland known as Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley), which is separated by a channel 3 km wide at the closest point.

They are linked by the Penang Bridge and a cross-channel ferry service. Its population of more than 1 million represents a happy mix of the major races found in Malaysia with the Malays making up 32%, the Chinese 59% and the Indians 7%.

Georgetown At the northeastern tip of the island is the seat of administration and is also the commercial hub of the state. This bustling metropolitan city combines the best of the east and west as seen in its fine old buildings, each bearing the stamp of different foreign influences in its colourful history.Much of its charm also lies in its famous golden beaches and calm warm seas.

Penang today is a resort island in full bloom - an idyllic playground for worshippers of the sun and sea. Its multiracial population contributes to wealth of cultural attractions and festive celebrations for visitors to witness and enjoy.

Malaysia in brief

Malaysia, with its rich culture and history, is a 'must visit' tourist destination. Endowed with magnificent scenic wonders and a colourful thriving cosmopolitan elegance, the country is indeed the jewel of Southeast Asia, a destination unrivalled by any other.

Rainforests dating back 130 million years still retain their ancient splendours while bustling cities and towns boast of modern day sophistication. Hovering contentedly on the fringes of this 'time' escape are charming villages where rural life enchants all who stop to savour its gentle charms.

Malaysia lies within longitudes 100 and 119 East and latitude 7 north. Neighbouring countries are Thailand to the north and Singapore to the south. The country consists of two land masses with a total area of 330,434 square kilometres.

Peninsula Malaysia is located south of Thailand, while East Malaysia, comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak, stretches along the northen region of Borneo. The two land masses are separated by the South China Sea.

The Federation of Malaysia is comprises of 13 states and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia is centrally located along the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwhich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time. It enjoys a perpetual summer with high humidity, the only variation being its dry and wet seasons.