Taman Botani Negara, Selangor

Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, or "National Botanical Gardens, Shah Alam", is the latest name in a long series of names for this nature park located in the Selangor State Capital of Shah Alam.

Entrance to the Park from the open car-park.

In the past it has gone by other names. Originally known as "Bukit Cerakah" when it was first opened in 1986; its name was then changed in 1991 to "Bukit Cahaya Alam" and later as the "Malaysian Agricultural Park".

Ticket Counter

Although it is now known as a "Botanical Garden", currently there is no labeling of plants or trees of the jungle, so it is perhaps not a true botanical garden where you can learn about plants. Being a jungle located within the city limits though, it is a popular place for weekend recreation among the locals.

Shuttle bus stop at the Main Entrance.

Bicycle Rental at the Main Entrance.

Consisting of 72 hectares of land, when it was first conceptualised as an agricultural park, in typical Malaysian fashion, various "attractions" were proposed, such as a mini-zoo, a four seasons house, traditional village houses (called "Kampung Idaman"), decorative gardens, amphitheatres, camping grounds and the like.

The Mini-Zoo with its small cages should have no place in a nature park.

Horse stables.

Paddock.

Viewing Tower at C Lake.

Camar Hijau is the camp site and A-frames are available for hire. Even has a swimming pool.

Kampung Idaman is a collection of traditional malay houses.

The traditonal Kelantanese house.

All these traditional houses in Kampung Idaman are available for rent.

Hardly surprising with the maintenance culture of the country, most of these attractions are now run-down or closed. Currently there is renovation work on-going around the area of the rice-fields to upgrade the area, but most of the other sites remain dilapidated.

Construction of Malay, Chinese & Indian pavilions adjacent the rice fields. (Jan'14)

Upgrading work to the Rice Field area (Jan'14).

Let this not discourage you from visiting the park though, as the star attraction here is the jungle. It is a great place to go for short walks or even cycling up and down the hills. Bicycles are available for rental at a nominal price and there are also free bus shuttles within the park.

Within the park, there are also two dams and other smaller lakes. For those who are into flying foxes and other adventure activities there is the skytrex adventure.

Kolam C, or "C Lake" with ornamental fishes and water lilies.

Boating at C Lake.

Hanging Bridge opposite the mini-zoo.

Walk or cycle along the metalled roads in the park.

A troop of spectacled monkeys hang out around the Kampung Idaman area.

Danau Perikanan, or "Fishing Lake".

Water lilies at Danau Perikanan.

The majestic jungle is the reason to visit here!

Map of the Park.

Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam

Address: Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, 40000 Shah Alam.

Telephone:  +603-5510 6922

Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 5pm (Tuesday to Sunday, Public Holidays).

Entrance Fee: RM3 (Adult), RM1 (Children under 12 & Seniors over 55). Carpark (RM3 normal car).

Little Genting, Penang

Tourists to Penang will invariably chose to stay in George Town or the northern coast of the island from Batu Feringgi to Tanjung Bungah. During their stay, they may even do a day trip to the western part of the island where Balik Pulau is. Unfortunately the South of the island is rarely on the agenda, even though the International Airport is located here.

Although the south is routinely ignored, there are a few points of interest here which can easily be integrated into a round-the-island trip itinerary. One such interesting place is Bukit Genting or Little Genting (as some of the locals call it).

Bukit Genting is actually a hill located off the trunk road connecting Teluk Kumbar in the south of the island to Balik Pulau in the western flank of Penang. To get there is fairly simple, although it is not really sign-posted. Coming from the north head south towards the Penang International Airport at Bayan Lepas.

Upon reaching the intersection to the airport, ignore it and continue south-west along Jalan Bayan Lepas towards Teluk Kumbar. Once pass the small town, you will eventually come to an intersection. Turning left would take you the small fishing village of Gertak Sanggul. Instead forge on into Jalan Teluk Kumbar, which heads west and steadily climbs up the hills which make up the central spine that divides the east flank of the island from the west flank.

Eventually as you approach the crest of the ridge, you will spot an unattractive arch saying "Bukit Genting Hill Leisure Park and Restaurant". For some reason, although "bukit" already means "hill" in malay, the owner has chosen to repeat it twice in the name of his park and restaurant.

If you are concerned about the road up, you can chose to park here and summon the operators to come down and ferry you up. Don't know if they actually will do that, as we chose to drive up the narrow winding road up in our car. Yes, that's right, a normal car can make the journey up and you do not need a 4-WD.

The road going up is sealed all the way, but is narrow and windy. Perhaps if you are a novice driver you might be intimidated, but if you have been driving for a while, it should not be that difficult a drive.

The road is initially two-way as you drive through a durian plantation. Later on, the road splits, and it is one-way going up and one-way coming back down. 

Eventually you will reach the top where the "Leisure Park" is. A distinct air of neglect and permeates the surrounds and the Leisure Park has definitely seen better days. There are various under-whelming decorations which make up the "attractions" of the small park.

Welcome to Bukit Genting Hill.

A bullock cart and other animal statues.

Mock-up of a helicopter.

Fake rabbits amidst the shrubbery.

A sailing ship. Why you ask? I don't know too...

There are also various wooden pavilions perched on the hillside to take into the views. Apparently you can also rent chalets and stay here overnight if you chose to do so. 

There is also a Thai restaurant here and it must be said that although the food is perhaps not the best Thai food that can be found in Penang, the amazing views more than make up for it.

Before you adjourn to the restaurant, appreciate the vista towards Teluk Kumbar, Gertak Sanggul and the southern part of Penang.

The restaurant is open daily. Just watch out for the Giant Red Ants!

Whoa! What a view....

Stunning views of the western part of the island.

As far as the eye can see...

Markisa fruits hang overhead on the terrace. You can order the juice from the restaurant.

Betong island off the coast from the fishing village of the same name can be clearly seen.

Balik Pulau and the large green swathe of rice paddy fields.

An angry overcast sky adds to the visual spectacle.

While the food at the restaurant is just passable, and the leisure park is nothing special, what makes this place a must visit are the spectacular views. There are forested hills all around and views to both Teluk Kumbar and the south of the island as well as the even more spectacular view to the more rural western coast of Penang island and the town of Balik Pulau.

The views at sunset would be even more amazing!

Bukit Genting Leisure Park & Restaurant

Address: Jalan Teluk Kumbar, Balik Pulau, 10300 Penang, Malaysia. 
Telephone: +(604)-827 9801/5, +(6019)-465 7100

Opening Hours: 11.30am-10.30pm

View Bukit Genting Hill in a larger map