The Habitat Penang Hill

 

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. The federal constitutional monarchy consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo's East Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia shares a land and maritime border with Thailand and maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. East Malaysia shares land and maritime borders with Brunei and Indonesia and a maritime border with the Philippines and Vietnam. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital, largest city and the seat of the legislative branch of the federal government. The nearby planned capital of Putrajaya is the administrative capital; which represents the seat of both the executive branch (Cabinet, federal ministries and agencies) and the judicial branch of the federal government. With a population of over 32 million, Malaysia is the world's 43rd-most populous country. The southernmost point of continental Eurasia is in Tanjung Piai. In the tropics, Malaysia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, home to a number of endemic species.

Tropical rainforests cover only 6% of the planet’s surface but in terms of biodiversity, they contain more than 50% of the world’s terrestrial plant and animal species. On plants alone, tropical rainforests are thought to be the exclusive home for 170,000 of the world’s 250,000 known plant species. The largest intact tropical rainforest in the world is in the Amazon River Basin and it dwarfs the Malaysian rainforests in size by far. However, age-wise, the Amazon jungle’s estimated age of 55 to 70 million years is way younger. Estimated at around 130 million years old, Malaysia’s rainforests is host to some of the most diverse tropical ecosystems in the world. During the Ice Age, Southeast Asia’s rainforests continued to experience moist temperatures due to its geographical location. This, in turn, allowed them to develop much earlier than the tropical rainforests of Africa and South America, the Amazon included.

Over millions of years, Malaysia’s rainforests have nurtured a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna and has served as home to countless unique mammal and bird species. Scientists estimate that they host around 20% of the world’s animal species. Recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Conservation International listed Malaysia as one of 17 countries described as “mega diverse”.

Closer to us, the Penang Hill virgin jungle reserve area, on the fringe of which The Habitat sits, is believed to be part of Malaysia’s treasure trove of prehistoric rainforests dating back 130-million years old. Besides its rich biodiversity, it plays an important role as primary water catchment area for Penang island. The Habitat Penang Hill located at Jalan Stesen, Bukit Bendera Air Itam, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Our rainforests also provide essential ecosystem services for sustenance of life including climate regulation, water & nutrient recycling, air purification, carbon storage and soil stabilit

A trip to Malaysia wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Habitat Penang Hill! The Habitat is home to the most authentic, diverse, and educational rainforest experience in Malaysia. It is located at Jalan Bukit Bendera, 11300 Penang Island, Penang, Malaysia, and is only accessible via the Penang Hill funicular train services to the upper station. The tunnel track of the funicular train is the steepest track in the world and the longest in Asia.

The world-class rainforest discovery centre of Penang Hill sits on the fringes of a forest reserve protected since 1911. The park consists of a 1.6 km nature trail that was built by the British East India Company in the early 1800s at the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia, just less than 10km away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town.

Apart from the myriad of flora and fauna that are discoverable along our nature trail, visitors will enjoy breath-taking views of Bukit Bendera Malaysia and the surrounding areas of Penang Hill on top of the 13-meter high Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, the highest public viewing point on Penang Island, 800-meters above sea level. You can catch the sunrise above nature or get a glimpse of the unparalleled night view of George Town from the top.

Visitor notes :

·      Visitors will need a Penang Furnicular Train ticket to reach and avail of The Habitat normal walk admission ticket

·      Get more details on MyKad/MyKid holders rate and the other available promotional tickets directly at the counter

·      All proceeds of The Habitat park and attractions are channeled towards The Habitat Foundation. It is a non-profit organization created to fund conservation efforts to save and protect the rich nature and greenery of Penang Hill

·      Kindly take note that ALL children aged 17 years old and below must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parent(s) or guardian(s)

 

Sources :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia

https://habitatfoundation.org.my/the-habitat-penang-hill/

https://www.klook.com/activity/19748-the-habitat-hill-ticket-penang/