INTRODUCTION
Probably the single most heavily developed stretch of tourist resorts in the entire country, the scenery and the beaches have undeniably suffered under the assault of all that concrete. Still, while the beaches aren't the best in Malaysia, there are still miles of white sand and palm trees left. Fierce competition keeps hotel prices low and there's some great food to be found too.
Orientation
From east to west (that is, moving further 'out' from George Town and the airport), the main beaches are Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi proper, and Teluk Bahang
GETTING AROUND BATU FERRINGHI
Taxis trawl up and down the windy roads of the north coast. Fares are negotiable but tourists will have a hard time getting anywhere for less than RM 15
THINGS TO DO
SEE
- Butterfly Farm, 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang, Phone:+60 4 885-1253, Fax:+60 4 885-1741, mailto:info@butterfly-insect.com,. Mon-Fri 9AM-5.30PM (Last entry at 5PM), Weekend & Public Holidays 9AM-6PM (Last entry at 5.30PM). Open 365 days all year round except half-day on Chinese New Year eve. More than just a tourist attraction, it is set up as a 'live museum' to educate the public as well as a research centre to develop breeding methods. The farm houses about 4000 Malaysian butterflies of 120 different species, including most famouse in Malaysia the Rajah Brooke's Bird wing of the Papilionidae family. The farm also exhibits dead-leaf mantis, orchid mantis and Trogonoptera. Admission (including Govt. Tax): Adult RM15 and children RM7.50. Additional charge: Camera / Digital camera RM1 per piece and Video / Digital Video Camera RM5 per piece.
- Muka Head Lighthouse is located at the northwestern cape of the Penang island, this impressive lighthouse serves as a beacon to sailors and ships in the region. The tower, while not as accessible as other structures on the island, offers spectacular ocean views. There is 2 ways to reach the site: taking boat from Teluk Bahang jetty or climb over the hills by foot.
- Toy Museum, Tanjung Bungah, Mobile phone:+60 12 460-2096. M-Su 9AM-9PM. This is the latest attraction in Penang, located at in front of Copthrone Orchid Hotel. Rank as Asia's first and World's largest toy museum, the owner Ir Loh Lean Cheng spends his 30 years to collect over 100,000 toys, dolls, models and other fun collections. The vast collection includes characters from cartoons, comics, computer games, sports, movies, novels, shows and the music world. Dozens of amazingly realistic, life-size figures add to the Fun. Admission fee: Adult and children above 3-feet RM10, children below 3-feet RM6.
- Tropical Fruit Farm, 18 Miles Stone, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Phone:+60 4 866-5168, Fax:+60 4 866-5170. In this 25-acre tropical fruit farm, about 200 types of tropical and sub-tropical fruits are planted. Durian, the King of Fruits, despite their odour, are undeniably rich, sweet and creamy. There is a shuttle bus service that picking visitors from few hotels to the farm and vise versa
DO
- Fruit tasting while visiting Tropical Fruit Farm.
- Jungle trekking & camping - Enjoy walking through the reserved forest in Teluk Bahang, Muka Head go to northwestern cape of the island and stay nights over there, you will experience an unforgettable life with beaches, sea and the sky.
- Shopping at the night market along the road from Golden Sand Hotel to Park Royal Hotel, or Sidewalk Bazaar near Casuarina Hotel and Bayview Beach Hotel.
- Sunbathe on the beach, enjoy the foot or body massage could be a good idea to rest and relax.
- Watersports are on the agenda for many visitors, although the waters are a bit too murky for scuba diving and a bit too calm for surfing or more extreme pursuits. Beware of the jellyfish! If stung, apply vinegar and if you experience chest pain, consider seeing the doctor for something to combat the allergic reaction.
CUISINE
EAT
There are plenty of places to eat all around, although discerning gourmands might want to explore less watered-down Malaysian cuisine in George Town.
One option worth a special trip are the seafood restaurants at the pier of Teluk Bahang, at the northwestern tip of the island, past the hotels and the little village. The famed "End of the World" has closed, but quite a few have sprung up to take its place.
ACCOMMODATION
There are lots of options with rack rates above RM500, but only in peak season (notably Christmas/New Year) will you have to pay this much. The cheaper places charge around RM50. Backpacker accommodation is entirely absent.
Mid-range
- Lone Pine Penang,.
- Casuarina Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi, Phone:+60 4 881-1711, Fax:+60 4 881-2155 Tollfree within Malaysia: 1-800-888255, mailto:sales@casuarina.com.my,.
- Bayview Beach Resort Penang, Batu Ferringhi, Phone:+60 4 881-2123, Fax:+60 4 881-2140, Tollfree reservation within Malaysia: 1-800-888218, mailto:bbr@bayviewbeach.com,.
Splurge
- Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort, Batu Feringghi Beach, Phone:+60 4 881-1811, Fax:+60 4 881-1180, mailto:rsr@shangri-la.com, Note: Rasa Sayang Resort is under renovation, and is scheduled to reopen on 28 Sep 2006.
- Mutiara Beach Resort, 1 Jalan Teluk Bahang, Toll free (Malaysia):1-800-88-3838 (Worldwide):800-8800-3838 Phone:+60 4 886-8888, Fax:+60 4 885-2829, mailto:infopg@mutiarahotels.com, The hotel is to the west of Batu Ferringhi, the sole hotel on one of Penang's nicest beaches. Good pool complete with a bar you can swim up to, decent facilities, but slowly starting to show its age. Rack rates ridiculous (RM650+) but steeply discounted rooms are available outside the highest peak season. RM650-RM8,400 per night.
- Closed for refurbishing. Scheduled to reopen in 2007 as the Inter-Continental Penang.
- Shangri-La's Golden Sand Resort,
- Park Royal Penang, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Phone:+60 4 881-1133, Fax:+60 4 881-2233, mailto:fbsec@gpp.pen.parkroyalhotels.com,.
- Holiday Inn Resort Penang,
