Located in northwest Penang Island, this protected rainforest spans 7 km of hiking trails and includes a 2.5 km canopy walkway. Home to rare Malayan sun bears and tapirs.
Penang National Park covers 1,213 hectares of Malaysia's northwestern coast. You can hike through jungle trails to reach a historic lighthouse, swim at Monkey Beach, or observe the park's meromictic lake where distinct layers of fresh and salt water create unusual patterns. Between April and August, you might spot green turtles nesting on the beaches, while dusky leaf monkeys swing through the trees overhead.
Getting to Penang National Park
Take bus 101 from Georgetown's Lubuh Chulia Street to reach the park entrance in Teluk Bahang. The journey takes 90 minutes and costs 4 MYR. Buses run from 5:30 AM until midnight. At the entrance, you'll need to register with your passport number at the information counter, though entry remains free.
Main Hiking Trails
Two main trails cross the park. The path to Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung) winds through dense jungle for 90 minutes each way. To reach Pantai Kerachut, follow a 3-kilometer trail that climbs through valleys and along hillsides with steep sections reaching 18% inclines. A 250-meter canopy walkway stretches 15 meters above ground, letting you look directly into the forest canopy (when open, entry costs 5 MYR).
Wildlife and Natural Environment
You'll find 415 plant species and 140 animal species throughout the park. Monitor lizards often rest on rocks near the trails, and dolphins sometimes swim in the coastal waters. Green turtles lay their eggs at Pantai Kerachut between April and August, while olive ridley turtles nest from September to February. The meromictic lake contains separate layers of fresh and salt water - you can see this phenomenon most clearly between May and November during the rainy season.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Pack at least two 1.5-liter water bottles per person to handle the humidity and heat. Wear sturdy walking shoes and apply insect repellent before starting your hike. Keep your belongings close at Monkey Beach, as the macaques will grab unattended food or small items. While boats can take you to the beaches from the entrance, walking lets you see more wildlife and plants along the way.
Camping Information
Set up your tent in designated camping zones away from turtle nesting areas. Bring your own camping equipment and register at the entrance. The camping areas fill up quickly, especially on weekends. You'll find wooden shelters along the beaches where you can rest and eat during day trips.
![Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km2 and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, covering similar area as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.5 million people as of 2012. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in South-East Asia, in terms of population and economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they were moved to Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still remain in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city. Kuala Lumpur was ranked 48th among global cities by Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index and was ranked 67th among global cities for economic and social innovation by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in 2010.
Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One Grand Prix. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic development [Wikipedia.org] | Johor Bahru in Malaysia](https://humbo.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/place-photo/5ffa2ff19ed1ddb22d235d13/6xc_BMxB-z_thumb.jpeg)
