From the world’s longest water slide to the first ever butterfly sanctuary, check out the state’s history-making attractions
In partnership with Penang Global Tourism
Penang may be small in size, but it makes a huge impact on the global stage. After all, the Malaysian state is home to an array of superlative attractions, from the world’s first tropical butterfly sanctuary to the longest-ever water slide. Be sure to check out this wide range of exciting attractions on your next visit to Penang!
1. Penang Hill
Malaysia’s oldest colonial hill station, Penang Hill rises 833m above sea level and can be accessed via the Penang Hill Funicular Railway. At 1,996m, the railway has the longest funicular track in Asia; plus, with a 27.9-degree incline, its funicular tunnel is the steepest in the world.
Penang Hill is also home to verdant nature reserve The Habitat. Prime attractions here include the Curtis Crest, the Colugo Zip and the Langur Way Canopy Walk, which stands 700m above sea level – making it the highest-altitude stressed ribbon bridge in the world. It’s a great vantage point, with views that stretch across to the Andaman Sea in the distance.
2. The TOP Penang
At The TOP Penang theme park, it’s a must to visit the Rainbow Skywalk – the highest of its kind in Malaysia, and the first curved skywalk in the world. Located on the rooftop of the KOMTAR Tower, it is suspended 68 floors – or 249m – above ground, offering visitors unbeatable views of the cityscape.
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3. The Gravityz
For more hands-on adventure, how about navigating an obstacle course 239m above ground, tethered only by a single rope? That’s what you’ll get at The Gravityz, the highest ropes course in the world. Challenges include crossing a narrow bridge and riding a zip line – definitely not for the faint of heart!
4. ESCAPE Theme Park
The latest attraction making a splash at ESCAPE Theme Park is a 1,140m water slide. It is by far the world’s longest, taking water babies on a four-minute ride down a slope and over tree canopies.
5. Entopia
When Entopia opened its doors in 1986 as the Penang Butterfly Farm, it was the first tropical butterfly and insect sanctuary in the world. Today, visitors can admire 15,000 winged creatures and over 200 species of flora in the sanctuary’s vivarium, along with waterfalls and caves.
This piece is part of an ongoing series titled “Experience Penang 2020: The Diversity of Asia”. To discover more, visit mypenang.gov.my.
