Sungai Batu is the name of the river as well as the coastal village on the southern part of Penang Island, in Malaysia. It is one of those places in Penang that is still untouched by development, though not for long. There is a small lake in Sungai Batu which was created a long time ago from sand mining. Most of the villagers in Sungai Batu are fishermen, and their livelihood was affected when the December 2004 tsunami hit the coastal areas of Penang. Nevertheless, the area has quickly recovered.
Sungai Batu is the perfect place for a picnic, for those who wish to get away from all the tourist crowds of the Penang north coast. Today new housing estates have sprouted in Sungai Batu. I can see a number of new double storey link houses being built here. At the moment, the village is living one foot in the past and another in the present.
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
Seascape at Sungai Batu, Penang.
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(above) A secluded spot in Sungai Batu.
(left) This is Sungai Batu, the river that gives its name to the area. |
(above) The serene lake at Sungai Batu.
(right) Casuarina growing along the edge of the lake. | 
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Boat at Bayu Bay, adjacent to Sungai Batu.
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