MalaysiaPenang $$$$$ All Year Outdoor
Garden

Tropical Spice Garden

A tribute to Penang's history on the colonial spice trade route between Europe and India, the Tropical Spice Garden showcases a living collection of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and spices that naturally grow in Malaysia and made the island of Penang highly coveted during the 18th and 19th centuries.

See the island's namesake Betel Nut Tree ("Pinang" in Malay) as well as tropic fruit trees; spices like ginger, pepper, and curry plants; coffee and tea plants; and medicinal herbs, as you follow the designated path and learn from the in-depth audio guide. Keep hold of your map to avoid getting lost and try your hand at grinding spices like nutmeg when you reach the central spice collection. As well as being a living museum, the garden is visually exquisite so take a break on the giant swing to soar out over the garden and appreciate the quiet, lush piece of paradise.

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Price

Adult: RM31 (audio guide) (USD$6.57), RM48 (live guide) ($10.17), Child: RM18 (audio guide) ($3.82), RM25 (live guide) ($5.30)

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Time Spent

1-2hours

Fitness level: Light effort

Hours

9am-6pm7 days

Look Around

Entrance signEntrance sign
Walking through the gardenWalking through the garden
Sections of the gardensSections of the gardens
Lush greeneryLush greenery
Take a break on a giant swingTake a break on a giant swing
Heart of the gardenHeart of the garden
Friendly dusky leaf monkey near exitFriendly dusky leaf monkey near exit
Walking around the Gardens
Fresh water suitable for drinkingFresh water suitable for drinking
Fresh spices to grindFresh spices to grind
Species descriptionsSpecies descriptions
Flowering speciesFlowering species
Fresh produce from the gardenFresh produce from the garden
Fresh drinking water and spice samples

Who Will Like Tropical Spice Garden

Nature Lover

Stroll through the thriving jungle-like garden as you learn about new herbs, spices, and natural remedies to try.

Culture Buff

Discover the history of spice trading as you stand in front of plants, like pepper trees, that put Penang on the world map in the 1700s.

Food Connoisseur

Book a cooking class to learn traditional Malay home-style recipes using fresh, local herbs and spices. Classes must be booked online in advance. Check out their gift store after your visit for more inspiring recipe books.

Retail Therapist

Visit the gift store on the way out of the garden for unique souvenirs and items like cook books, tea and coffee, and fresh herbs and spices.

Insider Tips For Tropical Spice Garden

  • Guided tours are held at 9am, 11am, and 1:30pm or visit anytime to use an audio guide.
  • Audio guides are available in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, German and French. Each plant species has a number that correlates with an audio guide recording. Punch in the number to hear a story about the species in front of you.
  • Mosquito spray is provided on the front counter - cover your arms and legs before entering the garden.
  • Audio guides must be returned at the gift shop upon exiting the garden and not at the ticket desk near the entrance.
  • Taste the free fresh spring water located at the top of the gardens in a series of clay pots forming a mini-waterfall. Cups are provided.
  • Visit the giftshop to find unique souvenirs and gifts to take home like spices, tea, and cookbooks.
Audio guide deviceAudio guide device
Numbered signs for audio guideNumbered signs for audio guide
Map of the garden groundsMap of the garden grounds
Audio guide tours & garden map
Gift shop exteriorGift shop exterior
Gift shop interiorGift shop interior
Gift shop

Video

Where Is It

Lot 595 Mukim, 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Open map...

How To Get There

Rideshare

Drivers drop off at the main entrance but usually pick up across the road.

Map for rideshare...

Taxi

Drivers drop off at the main entrance but usually pick up across the road.

Map for taxi...

Motorbike

Free street-front parking across the road from the entrance.

Map for motorbike...

Bus (101, 102Tropical Spice Garden, Jalan Teluk Bahang)

Bus stop in front of the main entrance.

Walking directions from bus...

What To Bring

Do:
  • Comfortable shoes for walking.
  • Loose and light clothing to keep cool.
  • Insect repellent to keep mosquitos away.
  • Sun protection like a hat and sunscreen.
  • Drinking water.
  • Camera.

Tech & Photography

Wifi

Public wifi access: None

Photography

Photography allowed: Yesflash is ok

Tripod allowed: Yes

Selfie sticks allowed: Yes

Best time to shoot: Late Morning

Tips: Use a zoom lens to get up close to the intricate detail in plants.

Drones

Drones allowed: Not encouraged

Bags

Backpacks allowed: Yes

Secured bag lockers available: No

Food & Drink

Tree Monkey - Authentic Thai restaurant with scenic ocean views.

Backstory

The garden opened to the public in 2003, on the site of an abandoned rubber plantation along Penang's northern shores. Its founders, David and Rebecca Wilkinson assembled a talented team to transformed 8 acres of jungle into a living museum, displaying over 500 varieties of natural plant species with an emphasis on edible and medicinal plants.

Map of plant species origins

Etiquette

Do:
  • Return the audio guide at the end of your visit.
  • Follow the map and don't deviate from the designated path.
Don't:
  • Touch or pick plants and flowers unless invited to do so by staff.

Scorecard

Best Parts:
  • Informative audio guides providing fascinating stories on each plant species.
  • Variety of edible and medicinal plant species.
  • Unique retail store with plenty of original gift and souvenir ideas.
Could Be Better:
  • Humidity and heat. You'll probably feel sweaty while walking around the garden.
  • Presence of mosquitos and other insects.
My itinerary Save View

Oh, you're so close

The awesome itinerary feature is only for VIP Members.

But that's ok! You're welcome to join the cool club for free.

Joining only takes a minute and it's... um... free! Plus you get other perks like badges, points, and unicorns.

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