TAMAN RIMBA IS ABOUT THE NATURE

LEISURE AT TAMAN RIMBA TELUK BAHANG!

 "NATURE IS A NEVER ENDING STORY"

The Clear Water Flow at Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang

“What’s your favourite place?

We always been asked that question at least once in a day and several times. It’s not an easy question to answer, as most travelers can attest. Our lists are long and we can’t pick one place above all. But during our research, a trip to Penang caught our eyes and it quickly piqued our interest.

You see, if you’ve ever thought of Malaysia, I bet that the top destination that comes to your mind is Kuala Lumpur; so for sure, it intrigued us what might be there to see in Penang.

We actually have a favourite place in Penang now. It’s a little nature peace place called Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang or Teluk Bahang Forest Ecopark.

The Memorable Moment had by People at Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang

The Mini Waterfall

"We had never heard of Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang on our first visit to Penang two years ago — and now that we’ve been there, I am singing its praises to everyone I know."

This is kind of a local family-outing place. There are attractive picnic grounds around a man-made (or man modified) stream. Taman Rimba is a popular and well-maintained recreational park equipped with park benches, picnic and camping areas, waterfalls and a playground. The pureness and clear waterfall can change our intuition from just having a walk there turn to taking bath at there. How amazing it is!

 

The Nature of Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang  

Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang Overview

A favourite recreational ground and camping site for local families, Taman Rimba is measuring a whopping 32-hectar forest park in Teluk Bahang. Enjoy the serenity of nature far away from the humdrum of city life.

Showcasing a wide variety of flora and fauna, Teluk Bahang Recreational Park provides an interesting introduction to the Malaysian rainforest with a good network of hiking trails and a well-manned forestry museum.

For hiking enthusiasts, Taman Rimba offers five hiking trails with different levels of difficulty and challenges.

Mini Waterfall

The Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang offers visitors with a variety of mini waterfalls. We experience cool and clear water in which to swim or splash around in. The natural beauty of the surrounding adds to the soothing and relaxing ambiance.

The Natural Bathtub

Leisurely Strolls

For a milder form of exercise, footpaths are also provided for visitors to stroll around the forest recreational areas. The cool and clean atmosphere coupled with the chirping of birds and the creaking of insects further add to the sensory experience communing with mother nature.

Actually, Taman Rimba is a lovely excursion for those who wanting to see some of Penang’s natural beauty. It is a great outdoor attraction which family can gather or a place to go on some nature hikes. The view is truly uniqueness and special once we reach there.

Our Friendships Getaway

As we share the same interest in having a trip that we can enjoy the nature as well as having a great time together, we decide to come here and feel by ourselves the clean and beautiful nature.

This time in our lives, we were looking for something different. This would be a trip where we could get near to nature out a bit more. A trip where we wouldn’t feel pressure to do a ton of sightseeing or activities.

In other words, when you’re starting to get some adventure out, THIS is where you go next. Go here for a hiking up the trails. Go here to get your hiking experience and being near to nature.

Hiking up the Trails

There are some trails of varying lengths (1-5 hours, round trip) through the jungle. And the entrance to a longer trail up Penang Hill is here. It’s supposed to be longest forest trail in Penang, and we think it’s about 10km, we was told it would take 6 hours, which we guessing was one-way. 

We didn’t have the time or the gear with us to try any of them: you will need the right shoes and plenty of water, and the longer ones sounded isolated enough that even if they’re not that long you should take reasonable precautions for injury and sudden nasty shifts in weather.

 There’s actually a sign at the bottom that says that Penang isn’t responsible for loss of life or property on the trails.

It’s all very pretty, and very much jungle. There were sightings of flying lemurs in the evenings.

The Longest Trail at Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang

The Hiking Steps to the Trails

There are a total of four hiking trails within the Forest Park and the fifth trail which span the Forest Park in the North and Penang Hill in the south.

The trails are specially designed to include not only for the increase of physical stamina but also to teach avid hikers on identifying and appreciating the island’s exotic flora and fauna.

The hiking trips are all open to the public at no charge and each is planned according to different levels of difficulty : 

Monkey-Cup Forest Trail - Hiking Trips Level 1

Simpoh Gajah Trail - Hiking Trips Level 2

Charcoal Kiln Trail - Hiking Trips Level 3

Ridge Top Trail - Hiking Trips Level 4

Penang Hill Forest Challenge - Hiking Trips Level 5

Forestry Museum

There is a forest museum with displays that range from hard core ecological (“Bad human, don’t touch!”) through to logging and what all humans can use from the forest.

The dioramas have seen better days, and we’re not sure why all the creatures were baring their teeth, but there’s a series of touch-and-feel displays too that we really liked-engaging, and who knew stuff from the jungle felt like that?

Overall nicely done, but probably not an attraction in its own right for the average tourist. Go for a picnic and visit the museum at the same time.

Several people were staying at the hostel at Taman Rimba for a few days. For us, a day trip was perfect.

The Takeaway

We loved our time in Taman Rimba. It’s easy to get sick of its cool and clear water, as lovely as they are, and Taman Rimba is the perfect antidote that will distract you until you leap back into the park once more. At here, sound of bird chirping,flow of waterfall and blowing wind make us feel like in a heaven.. Very peaceful and how fantastic it is.. It makes us to come again and again in the future! 

Penang may be seen as a cultural destination, but that’s certainly not the case.

But beyond that, it’s an incredibly beautiful recreational park and one that we highly recommend.

Whether you visit with a friend, like we did, or solo or with a partner or with your family, we know you’ll appreciate what a special place this recreational park is.

Essential Info:  Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang is located about 2.2 km or 15 minutes from the Teluk Bahang roundabout.

From George Town, take the northern beach road through Batu Ferringhi until you reach the Teluk Bahang roundabout. Make a 9 o'clock turn to the left.

You will reach the Teluk Bahang Forest Park (Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang) after passing the Penang Butterfly Farm on the left side of the road.

Rapid Penang Bus 101 goes to the Teluk Bahang Bus Terminus. From there you need to change to Bus 501 that heads towards Balik Pulau. Take note that bus services is sporadic.

Affordability:

Entrance to the park is free.
Forestry Museum : Opened every day.

Except Hari Raya Aidifitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Entrance to Forestry Museum as below :.

Operation Hour : Saturday – Thursday (9 am - 5 pm)

 Friday (Closed between 12.00-2.45pm)

Entrance Ticket Forestry Museum: Adult(RM1.00) Children (RM0.50)

By : 

NUR AZUANI AZUIN BINTI SAAD

HASANAH IZYANI BINTI MD YUSOF

NUR AFEERA ILLANI BINTI ABDUL RAHMAN