The spice story
Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.
Richard N Horne — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chongkian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 阿橋 HQ — CC BY-SA 2.0 · 阿橋 HQ — CC BY-SA 2.0 · 阿橋 HQ — CC BY-SA 2.0
A botanical garden on a green hillside facing the sea on Penang Island's north coast, telling the story of the spices that drew traders to this island: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, turmeric and lemongrass, alongside hundreds of species of tropical plants. Shaded paths climb through bamboo, ferns and tropical flowers such as heliconia and red ginger, past small streams, wooden bridges and stone terraces, to spots overlooking the forest and the sea. The ticket includes a free audio guide in several languages explaining the plants and their uses. An adult ticket costs about thirty ringgit at the gate and slightly less online. It opens Monday to Thursday from nine to half past four and Friday to Sunday until six, with last entry an hour before closing. It runs local cooking classes by advance booking, and has a café and a spice shop. The paths go up and down, so wear comfortable shoes and bring insect repellent. It lies near Entopia and Penang National Park.
Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.
Bamboo, streams and bridges.
Local dishes by booking.
Teluk Bahang Road, between Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, facing the sea
One to two hours with the audio guide, longer if you book a cooking class or stop at the café.