Named as one of the top rated theme parks in Asia by TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice, ESCAPE is a must-visit attraction for Penang visitors and locals alike. The award-winning theme park was founded by entrepreneur and Penangite Sim Choo Kheng as a throwback to his own “free-range childhood,” where simple outdoor play was the order of the day.

“Without play, the planet is a miserable and destructive place,” says Sim. This ethos led him to develop ESCAPE, a “low-tech, high-fun” fantasy world for little kids as well as “big kids” (aged 13 to 60) and “super kids” (anyone over the age of 60).

The park holds two Guinness World Records, boasting the world's longest waterslide at 1,111 metres and the longest Zip Coaster. It offers an action-packed day with 36 exciting attractions where you can experience high-octane entertainment (ziplining, bungee jumping, speed racing), interspersed with dedicated spaces for relaxing and catching your breath.

Be sure to take on the world’s longest waterslide at 1.2km. Riders will be chairlifted to a jaw-dropping height of 420 metres at the top of the hill to get started!

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A hike up Penang Hill offers more than just a city view—it’s your gateway to the The Habitat, Penang’s latest eco-adventure. Whether you trek, take a thrilling funicular ride, or hop in a 4WD (Four-wheel drive), you’ll arrive at a lush haven of nature. 

The Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk awaits with breathtaking 360-degree views from the hill's highest point, while the Langur Way Canopy Walk immerses you in the rainforest’s beauty. It’s a perfect blend of adventure and serenity, rekindling your connection with nature in an unforgettable way.

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Cycling is a great way to explore Penang at your own pace. Skip the crowd tours and cycle through charming streets lined with colonial buildings, breathing in the aroma of sizzling satay and stir-fries. From just RM20 per day, you can rent your bicycle from bike rental shops such as Metro Bike and GT Bike. Alternatively, you can use Penang’s bike-sharing service, LinkBike—just download the app and activate them.

For cycling maps, look up resources such as All Trails and Bikemap, or follow this route to cover all the major attractions in the city’s historic Georgetown. You can also refer to TripAdvisor for cycling tours to join.

If you thought the pace of life in Penang’s city area was delightfully languid, you haven’t experienced life in Balik Pulau, which translates to “the back of the island.” The village is definitely not on everybody's list of things to do in Penang, but a worthwhile experience of the island's rustic kampung lifestyle.

To get to Balik Pulau, you can take a city bus or taxi from Georgetown. You will pass a number of hilly, winding roads before reaching the centre of downtown Balik Pulau, recognisable by a colonial-era fountain and low shophouses. 

Once there, rent a bicycle to enjoy a leisurely ride while soaking in the sights of the pastoral town, which includes a durian farm, a goat farm, a nutmeg factory, and a stable. For the most scenic route that will take you through sleepy villages, plantations, and paddy fields, book a day trip with Matahari Cycle Tours.

To go further into the real villages of Balik Pulau, bring your trusty hiking stick and head for the hills. Navigate the adventurous paths and forested ridges, where you may encounter vegetable and fruit farms, and even free-range chickens running loose.


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Why visit the world’s smallest national park, which covers a mere 25 square kilometres?

Here’s a good reason: Penang National Park is home to over 1,000 species of flora and 270 species of wildlife, including the slow loris, flying lemurs, civet cats, sea otters, pangolins, dolphins, monkeys, and turtles. According to Tourism Malaysian, bird enthusiasts can have a “field day” watching the antics of white-bellied sea eagles, stork-billed kingfishers, egrets, and more.

One of the park’s unique features is its “meromictic lake,” where layers of water do not intermix. More precisely, the park’s lake is known as a 'seasonal meromictic lake' because it becomes stratified into two layers only during the May-to-November monsoon season, with warm saltwater from the sea at the bottom and cool, fresh water from rivers and rain at the top. This creates an unusual lake ecosystem—though the phenomenon is not visible to the naked eye, it is indeed special!

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Ready to explore more of Penang's hidden gems and iconic sights? Dive deeper with our Destination Insights guide, packed with insider tips and must-see experiences. For the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, stay at PARKROYAL Penang Resort. Nestled along the beach, it offers the ideal gateway with sweeping sea views and luxurious comfort.