- Address: 673A, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 4-226 4401
- Website: botanicalgardens.penang.gov.my
- Working hours: from 05:00 to 20:00
- Ticket price: $ 2
The National Heritage of Malaysia is the Botanical Garden, which is about ten kilometers from the city of Georgetown . It has a century-old history, which closely intertwined the country's colonial past and its originality and uniqueness.
A bit of history
The garden was founded by the British in 1884 in memory of the first governor of the island of Penang, Charles Curtis. Being a man, keen on nature, in particular botany, Curtis from the time of his arrival in Malaysia collected plants of the local flora, which served as the basis for the creation of the famous landmark .
Bureaucratic problems nearly destroyed a wonderful garden. In 1910, his lands were transferred to the municipal authorities, who planned the construction of a reservoir here. Two years later the decision was reconsidered, and the Botanical Garden once again became a state object. Since 1921, his organizers conscientiously worked on replenishing his collection and landscaping. For example, at that time a new collection of herbariums appeared in the park, horticultural and botanical work was resumed, new buildings were erected. The present Georgetown Botanical Garden is not much different from the Curtis Park.
Park today
The area of the Botanical Garden of Georgetown leaves 30 hectares, on which grows a lot of samples of plants that occur on the territory of the country and beyond. For example, walking in the park, you can see the representatives of the flora inherent to the jungles of India, South America, Africa, other Asian states.
The Botanical Garden is proud of the countless collection of cacti, aquatic plants. There is a garden of fragrant orchids and stones. The vegetation of Malaysia is rampant, being in a natural habitat, for others the organizers of the park are trying to recreate suitable conditions.
The Georgetown Botanical Garden is divided into zones, visitors can wander through the shady alleys, decorated with beautiful bushes and well-groomed lawns. There are parts of the tropical jungle with wild lianas, in which the monkeys live.
Waterfall Gardens
Georgetown's botanical garden is also called "waterfall gardens", as a cascading source flows on its territory. An artificial reservoir was created in 1892 by British engineer James Macrici. In the past, the waterfall and the adjacent reservoir were the only source of fresh water for ships arriving in Penang. Stormy streams come down from a height of 120 m. Nowadays, the waterfall and reservoir belong to a private person, but their visit is possible with special permission documents.
How to get there?
You can reach the place by public transport . A couple of hundred meters from the garden is the Jalan Kebun Bunga stop, which is reached by buses Nos. 10, 23.
Sometimes tourists rent a car and go on their own. Drive along the P208 road, focusing on road signs that will lead to the goal.