Balik Pulau, Penang , Malaysia

Balik Pulau, Georgetown Penang Overview

Balik Pulau is a bustling market town and Penang's main island outpost. Housing charming shophouses and rice fields, the tiny hamlet is famous for its agricultural practices. Offering a laidback kampung lifestyle experience, Balik Pulau is best visited on a day trip or as a lunch stop for anyone making a round trip of the island.

The rural landscape of Balik Pulau continues to attract tourists from all over the world for its variety of produce including durians, cloves and nutmeg that are grown and harvested in the area. The multiple types of durians produced in the orchards, especially during May and August attracts many visitors. It is also rumoured to have the last of the paddy fields in Penang. The most prominent attraction in Balik Pulau is the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

1. Titi Kerawang Waterfalls

The Titi Kerawang Waterfalls is a nice but smaller tourist attraction in Balik Pulau that is very easy to miss if you don’t keep an eye out. It is a beautiful waterfall to swim and spend a few l (Read More)azy hours with your family for a little picnic. It is a local community spot. If you have children, make sure that you are with them and don’t leave me alone as the area might be a little dangerous and steep for the toddlers.

2. Saanen Dairy Oat Farm

The Saanen Dairy Goat Farm is a family-run farm by Ho Juan Aun in Balik Pulau. You can spend as long as you prefer in the shelter that is home to about 50 goats whom you can pet and even milk them! Th (Read More)ere are guided tours available for RM7 though there is no entrance cost. The tours include interactive sessions of feeding and babying the goats. They brief and explain aspects of dairy farming and breeding of goats while walking you through it. The barn shop sells goat milk and items like soaps and nutmeg flavoured yoghurt.

3. Bao Shen Durian Farm

Bao Sheng Durian Farm property is hosted by Durian Seng and his family that accommodate travellers in their farm. The view is breathtaking as it looks over the mountains and sea. The accommodation is (Read More)in the town of Balik Pulau, about 25 kms from Queensbay Mall. The farm stay provides an “a La Carte “ menu along with an Asian breakfast, every morning with vegetarian and halal options as well. There is an outdoor pool for the guests to swim in along with various facilities like free Wi-Fi, free private parking etc. You can spend a tranquil day in the fresh air of the jungle or the garden and taste the cool spring mountain water. It is the ideal spot to rest for a weekend while you are visiting the area with its charms and relaxed ambience. The place also has a paid shuttle service to the airport.

4. Bicycle Tours

The eco cycling tours in Balik Pulau is organized by the Titi Teras village house cycling team. It is one of the most famous ways to tour the town and experience the lifestyle of the locals. The team (Read More)also hosts and organizes the meals from the local food and bbq available. On the way, you can spot various kampungs and paddy fields and mangrove in the beautiful scenic countryside as well!

Read More on Balik Pulau

How to Reach Balik Pulau

Balik Pulau can be reached in multiple ways :

Reach Penang Island from Kuala Lumpur via train that takes around 6 hours. Get down at Butterworth station and then avail a ferry to Penang Island. You can also take the bus from Puduraya bus station, KL to Sungai Nibong, the central bus station in Penang and can reach in less than 6 hours.
Reach Balik Pulau from Penang Island via Jalan Bukit Penara within 10minutes via car.
Avail the buses #401 / #401E from the jetty terminal in Georgetown to reach Balik Pulau.
Federal Route 6 connects Balik Pulau to the more urban regions of Penang Island.
Rapid Penang commenced a free transit system service called the Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) within the town in 2018.
6 Rapid Penang bus stops link the town to George Town, the Penang International Airport, Queensbay Mall. Bayan Baru and Teluk Bahag namely #401 ,#401E, #403 , #404, #501 and #502

Shopping and Food in Balik Pulau

Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory in Balik Pulau is the store to visit if you are keen to know all about nutmegs. The shops offer various products like nutmeg oil, pickles and juices. A local guide explains everything that you need to know!

Some places to visit for some delicious and authentic local food:

Kim Seng Kopitiam is famous for its authentic laksas and are iconic. Don’t forget to try the delicious stirred dishes while you are here!

Ah Huat Peak Stall, in Jalan Baharu is a food outlet in the fishing village and is full of diners. The specialities are the deep-fried hor fun and char koay teow that attract tourists from the entire island.

Other places you can visit are Balik Kampung, Botanica Mansion among others.