Penang Botanic Garden: What To See On A Visit
If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of George Town, I recommend visiting the lush tropical oasis of the Penang Botanic Garden.
I spent a tranquil morning wandering around the gardens on my last visit to Penang. Not only were there some rather interesting plants to see, but a highlight for me was the troops of long-tailed macaques and dusky-leaf monkeys that I saw in the trees and playing on the ground.
Read on to discover what there is to see and do at the Penang Botanic Garden and why it makes it onto my list of beautiful botanical gardens in Asia.
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Practical tips for your visit to Penang Botanic Garden
As you can see from my Penang Botanical Garden photographs, we visited on a day when it was sunny one minute and then rained torrentially the next. Added to the humidity, we ended up soaked through, so remember to wear light cotton clothes and take an umbrella if you are travelling in the rainy months of April to September. And definitely wear mosquito repellent, or you'll end up looking like a pincushion!
The good news is that the Penang Botanic Garden is free to enter. Once inside, you can wander around the 71-acre site to your heart's content. The garden opening hours are 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We used the GRAB app to book a taxi to take us to the gardens. It's relatively inexpensive to get around Penang by taxi, and it's often a better option than waiting for buses. From George Town, the journey to the botanical gardens takes 20 minutes and costs approximately RM10. When you are ready to return, you will likely find taxis waiting outside the gardens or use your Grab app again to call one.
Currently (2025), a new drop-off point for taxis has been designated, while a new cable car to the Upper Station Penang Hill is being constructed. The walk to the garden entrance from the drop-off point is approximately 650m and takes 10 minutes.
Penang Botanic Gardens Address:
Kompleks Pentadbiran, Bangunan Pavilion, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Meeting the monkeys in the Penang Botanical Garden
Although I love seeing the diverse plant varieties in botanical gardens, this time the highlight of my visit was the monkeys. There were several troops living in the garden, and they were all happily going about their business, undisturbed by my presence.
The cutest thing I saw was a mother grooming and feeding her baby. It was one of those "AHH" moments. They were also rummaging on the floor for treats and sitting on rocks, simply watching the day's activities. Such a special moment to watch them from a distance.
We visited after breakfast, and so we had the garden to ourselves for the most part. I think if it had been busy with visitors, we may not have had such a wonderful experience watching the monkeys. I would therefore recommend getting there early. Oh, and keep your distance; they are prone to stealing things. Also, do not be tempted to offer food to them; it is not a good idea.
Exploring Penang Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens comprise areas with flowering plants, areas featuring ferns, palms, and rubber trees, as well as large grassy areas alongside a river. The gardens are often referred to as the Waterfall Gardens because a waterfall runs through them, leading to the river.
The river looked murky due to the season I visited, and the sky was overcast, but it was still a pleasant visit. Keep your eye open for monitor lizards, which also enjoy the gardens!
Is the Penang Botanical Garden worth visiting?
If you have managed to fit all the more popular Penang tourist attractions into your itinerary, then I would recommend a visit to the gardens, if only to see the monkeys at play.
As I have visited George Town before, I'd already experienced most of the top things to do on Penang Island. The botanical gardens were one of the last things I had left to see.
If you plan to also visit Penang Hill for The Habitat, you can walk there from the gardens along a paved track. It will take approximately 5 km to complete, and the route is uphill; it is a walk that many locals enjoy.
So, is Penang Botanic Garden worth visiting? Only once you have experienced all the other cultural and historical activities in George Town. Of course, if you are a plant / horticultural lover, then put it on your Penang itinerary as a must-see.
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.