As one of the most popular tourist destinations of Malaysia, Penang claims awards in the category "Best Food", "The most beautiful clan houses" and "The largest Buddhist temple".
Penang also boasts the most small National Park of Malaysia, and although it is unlikely to sound like a reason for pride, but the study of the nominal one beautiful reserve with a rainforest for many travelers is turning into an unexpected friend.
This park covers an area of approximately 2500 hectares and is located in the northwestern part of the island. This National Park (Penang State Park, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang) - Great place to "try" the taste of Malaysian rainforest - especially if you do not have time to go to Borneo and take a walk through the forests of Sarawak or Sabah, or go to the jungle on the east coast of the peninsula, where, by the way, the best beaches. These forests are protected since 1956.
There are a variety of trees breeds, including those that grow exclusively on the island. Although, of course, the subspecies of the trees are unlikely to distinguish the eye. Park is famous for numerous varieties of orchids, as well as the spectacles also live here (not afraid, these are just such a monkey), Macaki, flying proteins, orlans and others.
In these forests, there are still not a lot of wild animals, but the park is undoubtedly very beautiful and so, and what photos are obtained! High hills, crouched by forest, hang over the shallow turquoise waters of the Malacca Strait. I looked around all this with a glimpse, you seem to notice the whole side of Penang: beautiful tropical idyll.
What can be done in this park? Of course, walking. There are two main routes in the park, each of which leads to a picturesque sandy beach. At the beginning of the paths, the tourists step on a well-maintained concrete path of several hundred meters, which leads to a short bridge, after which the route splits, and the area becomes a little more "genuine" and wild.
Trail from right Leads to Monkey Beach, this is a more popular route. On the way there will be several small lifts, so if in recent days you obviously overeating delicious Malaysian food, then throw a couple of kilos on these hills - easily.
This trail goes along the coast is very romantic - through the trees shines the azure sea, and now you go, go through these jungle 40 minutes (or less, if you are fast walker), while the trail will turn to the beach itself. The relative simplicity of access means that the beach can be quite lively, especially on weekends.
The name of the beach suggests that the beach should raise macaques. And there is.
They are mostly harmless, but be alert if you are going to feed them. In several seedy kiosks along the beach, snacks and drinks for sale on a slightly overpriced prices are sold. The water on this beach is relatively clean, perhaps sometimes throws the jellyfish. Unlike other beaches on Penang Island, this one can be exactly right enough. If it seems to you that walking on the beach - somehow too easy, you can always challenge yourself and walk to the lighthouse on the hill behind the beach.
Returning to the Rope Bridge - you also have a choice - turn left , toward Turtle Beach. This course is a bit more complicated, and almost from the very beginning he is cushed with steep lifts that cut the terrain on the hills on his way to the beach on the opposite side. This road becomes very dirty and impassible after the rain, and the rains there are a lot, as you already understood, so if I chose this path, you will have to sweat. Make sure you take with you a lot of drinking water.
And now at the end of this difficult path, you will hear the noise of the waves, and to the left of you you will see an amazing lake, which "loosened" on salty and fresh water - this phenomenon is called "meromictic water".
Such lakes in Asia are three, and this fact Penang is quite proud of. Although, frankly, most of the terrain around this lake does not really lead the delight.
The beach, however, is very pretty white sands, on the background of boulders and green jungle, ah!
The beach can be descended by the short rope bridge. Big plus is that this beach is much less crowd than Monkey Beach. There is no place to buy food or drinks, so bring me to eat with you, find yourself a secluded place and relax. However, in the far end of the beach there is a small and a little dreary Museum of Turtles, But there still should be to look, just in case - suddenly have recently hatched kids-turtle appeared? Interesting spectacle!
There is something else than you can do in the National Park. In January 2013, after repair, they opened again Suspended trail In the crowns of trees.
This is not the longest or highest trail in Malaysia (because there is still a couple in the country), but still, this entertainment is impressive! The bridge hangs at an altitude of 15 meters, and it was made without the use of nails, screws or bolts - only ropes and wood.
This trail offers a completely new look at the jungle. Tickets for the trail must be purchased at the Park office - it costs 5/3 ringgitis for adults / children. The bridge is closed on Fridays.
Finally, you can get around the jungle and Rent boat. to still swim along the coast.
Many tourists do it - go on foot in one direction, then jump into the boat and float back - such a pleasant reward for hard walk. Thus, you can evaluate the beauty of the National Park from the other side, and this is the best way to see white orlans that tear the wings of the air flow.
The cost of renting a boat from Monkey Beach is approximately 70 ringgitis over the entire boat in one direction, and from Turtle Beach - about 100 ringgits. In the non-physical season, you can try to bargain, however, you can pay smaller if you do the boat with other passengers. As a rule, in such boats, there are from ten to twelve people. You can book a boat only near the gate to the park, but do not forget to take the names and phone numbers of the drivers, as well as the description of the boat, so as not to be confused.
The entrance to the National Park is completely free, the only requirement - you must register your names and numbers of passports in the Park office before entering. The park can be reached by bus 101 and 102, we leave at the final stop Teluk Bahan, from where you can walk to the gate of the park. The park works every day 08: 00-18: 00.