Category: Nature

Penang Hill: Kopi Hutan

Kopi Hutan at Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) is a forest-style, open-air café set in lush greenery where people stop for coffee and light bites in cooler hill weather, often as part of a nature walk around the summit area.

To get there, first go up to Penang Hill either by hiking or taking the Penang Hill funicular train from the Lower Station in Ayer Itam, then from the Upper Station head toward the Owl Museum area and continue to Monkey Cup Garden, where Kopi Hutan is located. From the Upper Station, you can either walk about 2 km or use the café’s free shuttle (noted by visitors as available for customers) to reach the Monkey Cup Garden/Kopi Hutan.

Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival 2025 @ Armenian Park

Armenian Park (in George Town) was transformed into a vibrant lantern wonderland during the Pesta Tanglung Tanjong 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival, with glowing lanterns, floral displays, and colourful arches making it a photogenic hotspot. Visitors flocked to the park with phones ready “selfies” or “wefies”, capturing the festive lights and decorative installations.

The atmosphere combined traditional elements (lanterns, mooncake vibes) with modern street festivity, creating a communal space of warmth, visual delight, and cultural celebration.

George Town Festival 2025 : A Debt of Time

From 2 August to 1 September 2025, visitors to the Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park can experience “A Debt of Time”, a poetic installation by artist Neoh Shin Yen that used projected words as its medium. The text only reveals itself when sunlight (or another light source) strikes it just so—appearing through the interplay of shadows and illumination. This ephemeral effect mirrors the fleeting yet persistent nature of memory and gratitude, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate how meaning gradually surfaces and fades in life’s quiet moments.

Penang Perspective: Ayer Itam Dam

Ayer Itam Dam, located about 7.6 km from George Town on the slopes below Penang Hill, is Penang’s oldest and once-largest dam, built between 1958 and 1962 with a capacity of 2.16 billion litres. It supplies water to nearby areas like Ayer Itam and Paya Terubong and also offers a peaceful 2.8 km walking trail with scenic views of the city and surrounding hills. Interestingly, it was the first earth dam in the world designed using electronic computers for structural analysis—a pioneering move at the time. Today, it remains a popular spot for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers alike.

Pulau Jerejak (Jerejak Island)

Pulau Jerejak, a 3.6 km² islet just off Penang’s eastern shore near Bayan Lepas, has had a dramatic evolution over time. It started as pre‑colonial fishing villages but, under British rule, became a leprosarium (from 1868), a quarantine station (notably between 1877–1957), a TB sanatorium, and later a high-security prison known as “Malaysia’s Alcatraz” from 1969 to 1993. After the prison closed, the government opened Jerejak Resort & Spa in 2003, which later shut down.

Today, about 77% of the island is forest reserve, and there are initiatives to redevelop parts for eco‑extreme sports like mountain biking and flying fox, while conservationists push for UNESCO heritage recognition to preserve its rich history

Sights in Penang : Sungai Satu Outfall

The Sungai Satu outfall is one of Malaysia’s first two sea outfalls at Batu Ferringhi beach. Stretching 120 meters out into the sea from Sungai Satu and Sungai Batu Ferringhi, these structures are designed to channel river water into the sea while also acting as scenic viewing platforms for visitors. Positioned 300 meters apart and standing two meters high, the outfalls will allow beachgoers to enjoy panoramic sea views, with waves reaching the top steps during high tide.

Sights in Penang : Chin Farm Waterfalls @ Batu Ferringhi

 The rather hidden cascade of Chin Farm is tucked deep within the lush, hilly terrain of Batu Ferringhi, Penang, offering a refreshing escape from the bustle of the nearby beach town. This natural gem features multiple tiers of waterfalls, with cool, crystal-clear spring water flowing gently down rocky slopes, surrounded by dense greenery and the sounds of the forest. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for those seeking solitude or a quiet nature walk.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Chin Farm was a beloved local retreat, often bustling with families enjoying picnics, dips in the pools, and the simple joy of being close to nature. Though now less frequented and slightly off the radar, it still holds nostalgic value for many Penangites and remains a hidden treasure waiting to be rediscovered by adventurous hikers and nature lovers.