- Address: Pejabat Taman Negara P. Pinang, Jalan Hassan Abbas, Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang, 11050 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 4-881 3530
- Area: 1213 hectares
- Year of foundation: 2003
- Working hours: daily 07: 30-18: 00
In Malaysia , in the northwestern part of Penang Island , there is the national park with the same name (Penang National Park or Taman Negara Pulau Pinang). It is the smallest in the country, but it is very popular with tourists.
Description of the protected area
The main goal is to protect and preserve the unique fauna and flora of the island. The total area of the national park together with land and sea is 1213 hectares. He was given the official status in 2003. Until that time, there was a forest reserve, which was called Pantai Aceh.
Here you can see several rare ecological systems not found in other similar institutions. For example, in the Penang National Park there is a jungle site of natural origin. In the old days, the forests thickly covered the territory of the island, but later were destroyed. Some samples of natural breeds are endemic.
Features of the National Park
The landscape of the protected area is represented by:
- bogs;
- hills;
- coral reefs;
- coastal forest;
- mangrove thickets;
- muddy areas of the coast;
- stony and sandy beaches - there are 8 of them here.
The coast of the National Park is considered the best on the island of Penang due to its remoteness, purity and beauty. The tourists and meromictic lake deserve attention. It is famous for the fact that its water is clearly divided into 2 layers:
- the upper one is cool and fresh, it is fed by brooks;
- the lower one is a salty and warm layer, it is connected to the sea.
Flora of Penang National Park
In the protected area there are 417 species of trees and plants. Here you can see coastal dipterocarp forests, the wood of which is considered to be especially valuable. Of these, resins, balsams and essential oils are obtained. In the park grow orchids, pandans, cashews, ferns, casuarina, as well as insectivorous representatives of the flora.
Fauna
In the National Park of Penang, there are 143 species of mammals. From animals, there are leopards, porcupines, mouse deer, sea otters, wild cats, thick loris, wivers, etc. In coastal areas, sea turtles (Bissa, green and olive) lay eggs.
In the protected zone live birds, insects, reptiles. In a separate place (Monkey beach) live monkeys (long-tailed macaques, spectacle thin-coils). Tourists with them need to be careful:
- do not leave food, documents and valuables unattended;
- not to smile, because the naked teeth of monkeys - this is a call to attack.
Features of visit
For the convenience of visitors, the dirt paths in the park were supplemented with steps and concrete transitions, and ropes were tied to plants. There are 2 main routes laid here, the length of which is about 3 km. They begin near the suspension road, located at an altitude of about 10 m and built of trees without nails. On the tour you need to spend the whole day. There are places for picnic and camping along the territory of the park, there are zones for beach recreation . And if you are tired, then you will be fed with grilled fish and taken to the exit on a motor boat.
When planning to visit Penang National Park, be sure to bring rubber shoes, comfortable clothes, repellents, food and plenty of drinking water. Binoculars and a camera are not out of place. The park is open every day from 07:30 until 18:00. At the entrance all tourists are registered, and the ticket is free.
How to get there?
You can get to the park from the village of Teluk Bahang . From Penang, bus number 101 goes to him. The journey takes 40 minutes, the ticket costs $ 1.5. Also here you will get by car on the road number 6. The distance is about 20 km.