MY · Penang · 5.44°N 100.29°E

penang botanic gardens

Old rain trees, an orchid house and dusky leaf monkeys at the foot of Penang Hill.

Best time
Any time of year. The first couple of hours of the morning are the coolest, and the monkeys are busiest then. September to November is the wettest stretch, with heavy afternoon showers.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
Penang is about 4 hours' drive from KL, or about an hour's flight. The gardens are on Jalan Air Terjun, about 15 minutes from central George Town by car or Grab.
Save postcard
MY · Penangpenang botanic gardens5.44°N 100.29°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Old rain trees, an orchid house and dusky leaf monkeys at the foot of Penang Hill.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPenang Botanic GardensMY, Penang
KLpenang botanic gardens
≈ 299 km from KL, as the crow flies
View of the Penang Botanic Gardens

Photo: Dr htgoon · CC0

1 / 3

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Laid out in 1884 on an old granite quarry, the gardens fill a green valley at the foot of Penang Hill, and locals still call them the Waterfall Gardens. Come early with the morning walkers, wander the plant houses and the lily pond, then go for breakfast in Pulau Tikus.

Makan

  1. Hokkien meePrawn-broth noodles at the Pulau Tikus market hawker stalls, about 10 minutes away. Most Hokkien mee is made with pork, so check if that matters to your group.Map ↗
  2. Koay teow th'ngFlat rice noodles in clear soup with fishballs, the gentler breakfast at the same market.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The plant housesThe Orchidarium, the Fern House and the Cactus House sit close together near the main lawns.Map ↗
  2. The lily pond and jungle trackA path leads from the lily pond into proper rainforest, the shadiest loop in the gardens.Map ↗
  3. Monkeys and squirrelsDusky leaf monkeys and long-tailed macaques live in the trees, and black giant squirrels too if you look up.Map ↗
  4. Youth ParkNext door, City Park (everyone still calls it Youth Park) has playgrounds and shady paths for the kids.Map ↗
  5. Waterfall Hilltop TempleThe 513 steps up to the Murugan temple start a short walk down Jalan Kebun Bunga.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The Penang Hill cable car is being built from here, due to open in late 2027, and the car parks outside the gates are closed while it is. Park at Youth Park or the Waterfall Hilltop Temple and walk in, about 750 m to 1 km.
  • The Jeep Track up Penang Hill from the gardens is closed to hikers and cyclists until 31 December 2026 for the cable-car works.
  • Keep food and plastic bags out of sight. The macaques will grab them.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.