THE HABITAT PENANG HILL

Located on the Penang Island of Malaysia, this hill is a group of hills. Penang hill is the highest peak with its western hill at 833 meters above sea level. The highest peak is accessible by Penang Railway Station and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Malaysia. The lush rainforests of the hill are one of the main attractions dating back to 130 million years in the past, older than Amazon rainforests. This beautiful hill is listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WNBR).

Penang Hills is officially named Bukit Bendera, meaning Flagstaff Hill. Penang Hills was founded by Captain Francis Light, a British belonging to the East India Company, in the late 18th century. The hill was renamed Flagstaff Hill, much evident in its current name. The captain had done some deforestation for growing strawberries and hence, this place is sometimes referred to as Strawberry Hill.

The Habitat Penang Hill is one of the best eco-tourism attractions with nature’s best and flourishing experiences. These experiences take you on a tour of Penang Hill’s prehistoric rainforests which are greener and older than Amazon rainforests. The tour of the tropical diverse ecosystem of Penang will make you experience exotic weather and 50% exceptional flora and fauna lying only in this place of the whole island. This makes you walk through the langur hay canopy and the infamous Ribbon bridge.

The 13 meters high Curtis crest tree top walk is the highest point for the spectators to enjoy on Penang Island. The natural ecosystem of Penang is protected and maintained by a non-profit Habitat Foundation that safeguards biodiversity and forests.

Click Here to Book: Habitat Penang Hill Tickets

Highlights

• Experience the breathtaking views from the highest peak point of Penang hill in the Penang island.
• Enter the prehistoric rainforest dating back to 130 million years, older than the infamous Amazon rainforest.
• Say hello to the exotic flora and fauna of the lush rainforest.
• Get into the rainforest canopy valleys to experience the rich biodiversity of the Penang hill habitat.
• See the enchanting sight of the George Town and Andaman sea from the top of the 230m Langur Way Canopy Walk.
• Travel through the two span stressed ribbon bridge known as Langur Way Canopy Walk.
• Experience the lush green tree top walk known as Curtis crest, by treating yourself with the excellent views of the George Town.
• Relax on the two giant wooden swings looking at the lush rainforests and emerald waters.
• Eat the yummiest food in the restaurant of Penang hill habitat.
• You can do ziplining at Penang hill Malaysia through the ride of ‘Flight of Colugo’.

How To Reach

The Habitat Penang Hill is on a hill that can be easily reached by Funicular train from Air Itam, Penang, or Botanical Gardens, Penang.

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Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Penang Hill's habitat is during the evening hours around 04:00 PM when there is enough light to witness spectacular views. The top views look mesmerizing in the euphoric sunlight. Besides, most attractions close by 07:00 PM, making this time the most suitable time of the day.

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Other Essential Information

Residents of The Habitat of Penang Hill

1. Mammals: Dusky Leaf Langurs, the scientific name Trachypithecus obscurus are one of the most popular mammals on this hill, owing to being the reason for naming Langur way canopy walk. Sadly, these langurs are endangered species. The leopard cat, with the scientific name Prionailurus bengalensis, is the most successful hunter in the entire rainforest, bigger than the domestic cat and vibrant furs with the least risk of concern about their numbers. The black giant squirrel popularly known as Malayan Giant Squirrel, with the scientific name Ratufa bicolor, is a nearly threatened species. These squirrels are one of the largest squirrels in the whole world that live in the high canopy.                            

2. Birds: Known by the scientific name of Dicurus paradiseus, the greater racket-tailed drongo is one of the most popular birds in the rainforest. This black beauty is widely known as polyglot as it mimics other creatures playfully. Through the interaction with mixed species, these birds are known to signal other birds about a possible hunt. These drongos feed on fruits and sit on high branches in their world. The Asian Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica, known for its beautifully colored wings is the most common bird species found in the Penang hill rainforest. These birds are calm birds that fly low and usually prefer to walk. 

3. Insects: The Highland Vampire crab, the scientific name Geosesarma Faustum, is the most beautiful insect to spot in the Penang Hills due to its vibrant color. The huntsman spider going by the scientific name of Heteropoda venatoria are hunting spiders with long legs in the color of grey or brown. These spiders have compound eyes, a whopping number of 8 eyes! The most unique trilobite beetles are the strangest unknown insects going by the name of Platerodrilus. These insects are subsequent only to Southeast Asian forests, particularly in India. These insects are colorful and vibrant in variants of females.

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4. Reptiles: Blue Malayan Coral Snake, scientifically known as Calliophis bivirgata, is a hauntingly beautiful snake as it is extremely venomous. Mostly found on the leaves on the forest floor, this dark blue vibrant color makes it visible very easily. Many-lined Sun Skink is known scientifically as Eutropis multifasciata and is known for its smooth skin and short legs. These reptiles have dark lines on their body, olive-brown to reddish-orange flanks, and white to yellow-colored throats. These reptiles are found mostly on the forest floor, active during the day with their closeness to the river banks and villages.

5. Nocturnal Animal: The red-eyeshine creatures belonging to the nights, the fruit bats or scientifically known as Cynopterus spp. are the kind of bats that eat fruits, just as their name specifies. These bats are efficient nocturnal insect hunters found mostly in Malaysia. Yellow alarming eyes of the Buffy fish owl, scientifically known as Ketupu Ketupu are one of the biggest owls found near beaches and mangrove growths. The collared scops owl or Otus lettia are the tiniest owls-almost invisible to human eyes. Feeding on grasshoppers and beetles, these owls are, however, recognized by distances due to their distinct loud sound of “buuo”. 

6. Flora: The flora of Penang hill grows at higher altitudes as some of them are coniferous trees and submontane oak-Laurel. The tree reaching 32 meters in height, Alstonia Penangiana, is globally a critically endangered plant species. The specimen of the Geostachys penangensis was collected by Charles Curis late 19th century, the famous botanist of the Penang hill. This plant is endangered due to hyper-endemism arising due to possible habitat disruption. Additionally, the parasitic plant Exorhopalia ruficeps grows in shady areas of the rainforest. Penang slipper orchid or paphiopedilum barbatum is another fast endangered species along with Hazel maingaya malayana.

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Places for shopping on The Penang Hills    

1. Penang Hill merchandise store: operating 09:00 AM to 09:00 PM, this is available at the lower station.

2. Printhero convenience store: offers all the essential items to the residents as well as visitors.

3. Huat Huat Mini market: Grocery store open from 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM.

Essential oils are extracted from the tropical spice gardens along with the handwoven bags made by the women of the communities of Penang. The shops on the hill showcases these traditional items revolving around Penang Island only with some traditional hand crafted malaysian material. The shops of the Penang are beautifully built offering the serene views from the top. Along with the shops, there are places to dine in and grab a snack of your choice. These restaurants are known to prepare the best Malaysian coffee and the yummiest meal presenting the adorable forest views making you capture Instagram-worthy pictures.

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Restaurants near The Habitat Penang Hill

1. Cliff Cafe: Going by the local name of Astaka Bukit Bendera, this cafe has the tastiest food and elegant beverages. It offers you western snacks like sandwiches and pizzas. The food court has several drink stalls for a variety of available beverages. It is a favorite of locals as well because it prepared Malaysian food.

2. Habital Cafe: This cafe offers everything you need including food, snacks, drinks, stunning views of the Penang hill, and traditional items on display. These traditional items include woven bags sourced directly from the craftsman communications of Penang Island.

3. Kopi Hutan: Located at the top of Penang Hill, this cafe showcases the highest views and served a combo of coffee, delicious cakes, and sandwiches.

4. Kacang Putih: Known for selling the tastiest Indian snacks in Penang, this restaurant serves you the spiciest sauces with the healthiest chickpeas, corn, and muruku.

5. David Brown and Tea terrace: With the authentic menu of the 40s, It offers English meals including iced cappuccino with scrambled eggs.

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Tips to Visit The Habitat of Penang Hill



- All children aged 17 or below this age, should be accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult.

- The habitat should not be mistreated by the visitors as there is a non-profit organization governing the biodiversity of the habitat. 

- To reach the venue, visitors need to buy two tickets, one is for reaching Penang hill via train and another admission ticket into the habitat of the hill.

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