Exploring Malaysia 
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Botanical Gardens
Charles Curtis, the first Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, founded this green landscaped parkland of over 30 ha at Jalan Ayer Terjun. Large numbers of macaque monkeys greet visitors from the entrance right to the heart of the garden. Central to the Gardens is a waterfall that starts over a hundred metres above, which today is a restricted area and hidden from public view by the green foliage. The view of plants, tress and flowers of various hues makes it a heavenly place to visit. The species cultivated here are of great importance in the world’s herbarium. Hiking is also possible here, with nature trails leading up to Penang Hill and Mount Olivia. Every year, the Penang International Floral Festival is held for about a week at the Gardens where the entire garden is transformed into a floral wonderland.
Penang Butterfly Farm
The Penang Butterfly Farm (PBF), the first tropical butterfly farm ever set up in the world, was founded in 1986. Located at Teluk Bahang, the farm is a sanctuary of tropical butterflies.
Home to more than 4,000 colourful butterflies of 120 different species, it includes some very rare and famous ones, like the Indian Leaf (Kallima paralekta), the endangered Yellow Birdwing (Troides helena) and the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing. In addition to the butterflies there are frogs, scorpions and other insects living in their natural habitat. Recent new inhabitants of the farm include the Dinosaur eel which is actually a freshwater fish and also the Tokay gecko, the second largest species of geckos. A lily pond, rock garden, several artificial waterfalls and a bubbling mud pool enhance the serenity and beauty of the surroundings.
The Penang Butterfly Farm also has a breeding area and laboratory. A souvenir shop on the premises offers great collectibles and curios.
Bukit Jambul orchid, Hibiscus and Reptile Garden
The Bukit Jambul Orchid, Hibiscus and Reptile Garden is located along Persiaran Bukit Jambul, near the Equatorial Hotel. It houses many different species of hibiscus and orchids as well as many species of snakes and iguanas. The regular snake shows staged are crowd pullers!
Penang Bird Park
On the mainland in Seberang Jaya, is the two-hectare Penang Bird Park housing 300 species of birds from around the world. Besides being a tourist attraction, the bird park also plays a very key role in the protection of endangered bird species. The sanctuary it provides aids the survival of near-extinct species of the bird kingdom. An impressive collection of orchids, hibiscus, palm trees and other interesting flora decorate the park.
