Bayan Lepas, Penang

Bayan Lepas, where the parakeet took flight

Bayan Lepas is a district in the southeast part of Penang Island. The district is named after the Bayan Lepas town located to the south, and includes other towns such as Batu Maung, Kampung Seronok, Kampung Binjai, Permatang Damar Laut, among others. In the mid 1970's the new township of Bayan Baru was created, and has since become a major suburb of a greater Penang metropolitan area.

The name Bayan Lepas means "the parakeet has flown away". According to the story, a wealthy Sumatran family had arrived by boat at the coast of Bayan Lepas some time in the late 19th century. During the commotion of coming to shore, their pet parakeet escaped. The incident became the basis for the name of the place, Bayan Lepas.

The name Bayan Lepas is appropriate for a site that has been an airstrip for Penang since the earlier part of the 20th century. The Bayan Lepas airstrip has been expanded several times, and is known today the Penang International Airport, the second busiest airport in Malaysia. Perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in Bayan Lepas is the world famous Snake Temple, located in the area called Sungai Keluang.

The old town of Bayan Lepas has remained very much unchanged. It is still lined on both sides by early 20th century shophouses, resulting in a bottleneck for traffic passing through to the southern part of Penang Island. The town is the site of a major police station as well as a market, which was built in 1930.

Getting there

Several Rapid Penang buses pass through the Bayan Lepas area as well as its towns and villages. Among the buses include 302, 304, 305, 307, 308, 401 and 502.

Nearby Sights

Snake Temple

Penang Aquarium

Nearby Shopping

Sunshine Square

Bukit Jambul Complex

Queensbay Mall

Amenities

There are several markets to choose from within Bayan Lepas, the biggest being the Bayan Baru Market. There are also smaller community markets in Bayan Lepas town and Batu Maung. Sunshine Square and Jusco are two of the department stores in this area. Bukit Jambul Complex and Queensbay Mall are the shopping malls here, while Giant Hypermarket in Bayan Baru township is the hypermarket in the Bayan Lepas area.

Buying property in Penang? Read the Penang Island Residential Property Guide

Bayan Lepas Old Town (12 July 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Bayan Lepas Location Map

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Local Tours in Penang

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If you are coming to Penang, you can arrange airport transfer from airport to city in advance. A van will be waiting for you to pick you at the airport. This service is very useful and cost effective if you are arriving as a group.

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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.