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Balik Pulau, Penang

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Balik Pulau, PenangBalik Pulau, Penang (4 May 2015)


B. Melayu

Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.35067, 100.23478), (Penang Hokkien: Pu3lor2) is the main township on the southwest part of Penang Island. The name Balik Pulau means "on the other side of the island". The area is said to have been founded by one Lebai Tampai from Deli in northern Sumatra.1 Today Balik Pulau has the last patch of paddy fields in Penang Island, but probably not for long.

Measured from the Balik Pulau Roundabout (GPS: 5.35067, 100.23482), Balik Pulau is 23.9 km to Komtar, 21.8 km to the Penang Bridge, 20.1 km to the Second Penang Bridge and 15.4 km to the Penang International Airport.

Balik Pulau is traditionally popular among the people of Penang as where they will get the best fruits. This is where Penangites throng every durian season when the fruits are in abundance. Many swear that Balik Pulau durians are still the best anywhere in Malaysia.

In recent years, new attractions have appeared in Balik Pulau such as Countryside Stables, Saanen Goat Farm and Malindo Beach. In this write-up, I want to provide you a comprehensive introduction to all the sights in Balik Pulau.

Of late, Balik Pulau has also built a reputation as a food haven for the locals, who come for the famous Balik Pulau Laksa and Pasembur at the Balik Pulau Market, the Laksa Janggus at Kampung Perlis, and the Hokkien Mee at Kampung Kuala Jalan Bahru.

The hills surrounding Balik Pulau Town (also called Kongsi) are clove and nutmeg plantations, in addition to the durian estates and fruit orchards. Clove and nutmeg were introduced to Balik Pulau by the East India Company in 1794, after the British founded their settlement on Penang Island.

Once a quiet hamlet, Balik Pulau has seen much housing development, spilled over from the expanding metropolitan area of the west coast of Penang Island. The road leading towards Balik Pulau is now being upgraded by smoothening some curves and the building of a few bridges.

Updates on Balik Pulau

18 January 2019
Kwong Wah reported that the parking lots between Jalan Balik Pulau will be removed to ease traffic congestion in the area.

Going to Balik Pulau

Balik Pulau can be reached by taking Jalan Tun Sardon from Paya Terubong, or Federal Route 6 (round island road) from Sungai Pinang in the north or Teluk Kumbar in the south. The upgrading of the Balik Pulau Hill Road between Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau has helped to cut the distance and make a journey to Balik Pulau much smoother than before. A flyover at the junction of Permatang Damar Laut towards Bayan Lepas has also make travel smoother.

For public transport to Balik Pulau, take Rapid Penang Bus 401 and 401E

 Discover with Timothy Videos

Balik Kampung at Balik Pulau

The Farm, Pantai Aceh

Tour Balik Pulau by Lorry

Balik Pulau Roundabout

Map of Balik Pulau



Sights in alphabetical order

Amenities in Balik Pulau

  1. Balik Pulau Branch Library (GPS: 5.33893, 100.22187)
  2. Balik Pulau Bus Terminal (GPS: 5.35157, 100.23977)
  3. Balik Pulau Courthouse (GPS: 5.33834, 100.22086)
  4. Balik Pulau Fire and Rescue Station (GPS: 5.36213, 100.22117)
  5. Balik Pulau Post Office (GPS: 5.34885, 100.23335)

Apartments and flats in Balik Pulau

  1. Balik Pulau Garden Apartment (GPS: 5.35453, 100.23838)
  2. Desa Nipah (GPS: 5.34169, 100.21574)
  3. Pangsapuri Air Putih (GPS: 5.37303, 100.22123)
  • Taman Lily (GPS: 5.35484, 100.23804)

    • Chinese Temples in Balik Pulau

    1. Chit Seng Kong Temple (GPS: 5.35172, 100.21013)
    2. Xuan Wu Temple (GPS: 5.35395, 100.23594)
    3. Guang Fu Gong Temple (GPS: 5.35243, 100.23436)

    Churches in Balik Pulau

    1. Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (GPS: 5.35311, 100.23691)

    Eateries in Balik Pulau

    1. Balik Kampung (GPS: 5.35317, 100.20048)
    2. Balik Pulau Hawker Centre (GPS: 5.35151, 100.24153)
    3. Balik Pulau Laksa Coffee Shop (GPS: 5.35192, 100.23578)
    4. Cafe Ko Cha Bi Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.3514, 100.23561)
    5. Fun Pizzaria
    6. Hin Bee Food Cafe
    7. Kafe Chuan Heong
    8. Kedai Kopi Aik Hoe
    9. Kedai Kopi Green Garden
    10. Kedai Kopi Hoe Chuan Tin
    11. Kim Seng Kopitiam
    12. Love UU Garden Cafe (GPS: 5.33486, 100.20073)
    13. Medan Selera Dataran Tuah
    14. Paddy Fields Diner (GPS: 5.35317, 100.20048)
    15. Restoran Habeeb Nasi Kandar
    16. Restoran Kalik
    17. Three Two Food Court
    18. Yee Zou Food Court

    Landed Residential Properties in Balik Pulau

    1. Botanica CT (GPS: 5.37071, 100.21615)
    2. Desa Pinang (GPS: 5.39755, 100.21324)
    3. Fragonard Garden (GPS: 5.37561, 100.21501)
    4. Orchard Garden (GPS: 5.34303, 100.23361)
    5. Palmyra Residences (GPS: 5.33595, 100.21405)
    6. Rena Park (GPS: 5.37541, 100.21627)
    7. Seputih Residence (GPS: 5.36482, 100.21616)
    8. Taman Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.35235, 100.23214)
    9. Taman Kristal (GPS: 5.33752, 100.23043)
    10. Taman Mak Liew Teik (GPS: 5.35411, 100.22994)
    11. Taman Manggis Indah (GPS: 5.36692, 100.21663)
    12. Taman Nyaman Indah (GPS: 5.33493, 100.22837)
    13. Taman Pondok Upeh (GPS: 5.33329, 100.22722)
    14. Taman Prestij (GPS: 5.35312, 100.20254)
    15. Taman Sempurna (GPS: 5.35312, 100.20254)
    16. Taman Seri Genting (GPS: 5.3389, 100.22276)
    17. Taman Sri Indah (GPS: 5.34361, 100.22789)
    18. Taman Symphony (Simfoni Swiss) (GPS: 5.35248, 100.22927)
    19. Taman Titi Heights (GPS: 5.35686, 100.23037)
    20. The Maven (GPS: 5.36179, 100.22079)
    21. Villa Pondok Upeh (GPS: 5.34349, 100.23408)

    Affordable housing in Balik Pulau

    1. K Park Apartment (GPS: 5.35736, 100.20742)
    2. Quinton (GPS: 5.35727, 100.22559)

    Banks in Balik Pulau

    1. Bank Simpanan Nasional
    2. Maybank Balik Pulau

    Businesses in Balik Pulau

    1. Ah Chin Motorsikal dan Servis
    2. Balik Pulau Stationery Trading
    3. Balik Pulau Superstore (sundry shop)
    4. CH Kim Enterprise (sports goods)
    5. Co-op Mart
    6. Cyber Zone Enterprise
    7. Hee Electrical Enterprise
    8. Farmasi Balik Pulau
    9. Genting Computer Station, Pekan Genting
    10. Ghee Heng Goldsmiths
    11. HTY Colour Photo Studio
    12. Island Cake House
    13. JNH Advance Enterprise (mobile phones)
    14. Joy Bakery & Cake House
    15. Keat Radio & Electrical
    16. Kedai Basikal Aik Seng
    17. Kedai Boon Electrical & Video
    18. Kedai Bunga F & L Florist
    19. Kedai Cat Multicolor
    20. Kedai D'Cem
    21. Kedai Cermin Mata Optik Indah
    22. Kedai Cermin Mata Vision 88
    23. Kedai Dawood (sundry shop)
    24. Kedai Gaharu Xiang Xin Enterprise
    25. Kedai Gaharu Sian Yun Enterprise
    26. Kedai Gambar JC Digital
    27. Kedai Gunting Rambut Central, Genting
    28. Kedai Gunting Rambut Smart Enterprise
    29. Kedai Gunting Rambut Sri Mun
    30. Kedai Jahit Jimmy Tailor
    31. Kedai Motor Kee Seng, Pekan Genting
    32. Kedai Runcit Chop Oon Huat, Pekan Genting
    33. Kedai Runcit Ghee Foh Sin
    34. Kedai Runcit Kee Seng
    35. Kedai Runcit Mohd Suhaimi bin Din, Pekan Genting
    36. Kedai Runcit Tan Hup Hoe
    37. Kedai Ubat Yoong Chye Pong
    38. Kedai Uniform Sekolah Lina Trading
    39. Ken Guan Trading
    40. Kim Huat Locksmith
    41. Kim Leong Jewellery
    42. Lian Choon Motor (motorcycle repair)
    43. Lik Lau Motor, Pekan Genting
    44. Loong Yoon Goldsmith
    45. Meng Huat Mini Market
    46. Poly Unisex Hair Saloon
    47. PUZ Mart
    48. Sekolah Memandu Balik Pulau
    49. Seventy Five Fresh Mart
    50. Sin Choon Seng Wine Dealer
    51. Starmax Communication (mobile phone shop)
    52. Syarikat June Ngen (stationery)
    53. Syarikat Pulau Radio Service
    54. Tai Eng Superstore, Balik Pulau
    55. Thean Hoe Tong Medical Hall
    56. Tukang Jahit Paris Classical Fashion
    57. Village Island Trading
    58. Xie Cheng Brothers Sdn Bhd
    59. Xing Yuan Tailor
    60. Zhen Xing Auto Parts Trading

    Government Buildings in Balik Pulau

    1. Balik Pulau Lower District Syariah Court

    Hindu Temples in Balik Pulau

    1. V.T.M. Temple (GPS: 5.35237, 100.2308)

    Hospitals and public clinics in Balik Pulau

    1. Hospital Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.35076, 100.23345)

    Hotels in Balik Pulau

    1. Malihom Private Estate Hotel (GPS: 5.31928, 100.22691)

    Markets and night markets in Balik Pulau

    1. Balik Pulau Market (GPS: 5.35216, 100.24087)
    2. Balik Pulau Old Market Building

    Mosques in Balik Pulau

    1. Balik Pulau District Mosque (GPS: 5.33988, 100.22229)
    2. Masjid At-Taqwa, Kongsi (GPS: 5.34847, 100.23216)
    3. Masjid Jamek Pondok Upeh (GPS: 5.33777, 100.23135)
    4. Masjid Jamek Simpang Empat (GPS: 5.33528, 100.21835)
    5. Masjid Permatang Pasir (GPS: 5.37315, 100.21069)
    6. Masjid Sungai Rusa (GPS: 5.38375, 100.21325)

    Parks and Open Spaces in Balik Pulau

    1. Tanah Lapang Jalan Kampung Air Putih 6 (GPS: 5.36215, 100.21489)
    2. Tanah Lapang Tingkat Sungai Rusa 1 (GPS: 5.37606, 100.21552)
    3. Tanah Lapang Tingkat Sungai Rusa 2 (GPS: 5.37675, 100.21587)
    4. Tanah Lapang Tingkat Sungai Rusa 3 (GPS: 5.37643, 100.21566)
    5. Tanah Lapang Tingkat Sungai Rusa 4 (GPS: 5.37475, 100.21719)

    Petrol Stations in Balik Pulau

    1. Petronas Jalan Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.33554, 100.21926)
    2. Petronas Jalan Sungai Pinang (GPS: 5.35142, 100.23281)
    3. Shell Jalan Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.34869, 100.2327)

    Places of Interest in Balik Pulau

    1. 100 Main Road
    2. Audi Dream Farm (GPS: 5.38527, 100.20998)
    3. Balik Pulau Container Art (GPS: 5.31559, 100.2078)
    4. Botanica Mansion (GPS: 5.36864, 100.22418)
    5. Countryside Stables Penang (GPS: 5.3395, 100.19797)
    6. Dataran Tok Sudin (GPS: 5.35421, 100.20956)
    7. Green Acres (GPS: 5.37473, 100.25139)
    8. Happy Goat Farm (GPS: 5.37694, 100.19941)
    9. Kuala Sungai Burong (GPS: 5.33908, 100.19633)
    10. Meowy Cat Shelter
    11. Pantai Malindo (GPS: 5.33779, 100.19443)
    12. Saanen Dairy Goat Farm (GPS: 5.40546, 100.20778)

    Private clinics in Balik Pulau

    1. Hospital Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.35076, 100.23345)
    2. Klinik Kong & Sia
    3. Klinik Murni
    4. Klinik Seri Pulau
    5. Poliklinik Dr Azhar dan Rakan-Rakan

    Rivers in Balik Pulau

    1. Sungai Air Putih
    2. Sungai Pinang
    3. Sungai Rusa
    4. Sungai Samagagah
    5. Sungai Titi Teras

    Roads in Balik Pulau

    1. Balik Pulau Roundabout
    2. Jalan Balik Pulau
    3. Jalan Baru
    4. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 1
    5. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 2
    6. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 3
    7. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 4
    8. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 5
    9. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 6
    10. Jalan Kampung Air Putih 7
    11. Jalan Kuala Jalan Baru
    12. Jalan Pondok Upeh
    13. Jalan Pulau Betong
    14. Jalan Pulau Betong 1
    15. Jalan Sungai Air Putih 1
    16. Jalan Sungai Air Putih 1/1
    17. Jalan Sungai Nipah
    18. Jalan Sungai Pinang
    19. Jalan Titi Teras
    20. Jalan Tun Sardon
    21. Lintang Bukit Penara 1
    22. Lintang Bukit Penara 12
    23. Lorong Pulau Betong
    24. Persiaran Sungai Rusa
    25. Solok Kampung Air Putih
    26. Solok Pulau Betong
    27. Tingkat Sungai Rusa 1
    28. Tingkat Sungai Rusa 2
    29. Tingkat Sungai Rusa 3
    30. Tingkat Sungai Rusa 4
    31. Tingkat Sungai Rusa 5
    32. Tingkat Sungai Rusa 6

    Schools in Balik Pulau

    1. Prince of Wales Island International School (GPS: 5.36826, 100.21952)
    2. SJK(C) Chong Teik (GPS: 5.35052, 100.23766)
    3. SJK(C) Sin Min (GPS: 5.33391, 100.21368)
    4. SJK(C) Tar Thong (GPS: 5.33391, 100.21368)
    5. SJK(C) Yeok Hua (GPS: 5.35266, 100.20156)
    6. SK Genting (GPS: 5.3319, 100.2166)
    7. SK Kongsi (GPS: 5.34661, 100.22905)
    8. SK Sungai Pinang (GPS: 5.39816, 100.2127)
    9. SK Titi Teras (GPS: 5.35803, 100.22539)
    10. SMK Pondok Upeh (GPS: 5.33614, 100.22014)
    11. SMK Sacred Heart (GPS: 5.3529, 100.23663)
    12. SMK Seri Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.33424, 100.21261)
    13. SMK St George (GPS: 5.35379, 100.23742)

    Street Art in Balik Pulau

    1. Ernest Zacharevic's Balik Pulau Old Man Mural (GPS: 5.35268, 100.23628)
    2. Julia Volchkova's Balik Pulau Old Fisherman Mural (GPS: 5.35268, 100.23628)

    Supermarkets/hypermarkets in Balik Pulau

    1. TF Value-Mart Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.37035, 100.21735)

    Universities and colleges in Balik Pulau

    1. Balik Pulau Vocational College (GPS: 5.33748, 100.21753)
    2. Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.33255, 100.21748)
    3. Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Balik Pulau (GPS: 5.33222, 100.22674)
    4. Universiti Teknologi Mara Balik Pulau Campus

    Villages in Balik Pulau

    1. Air Putih
    2. Kampung Genting
    3. Kampung Kongsi
    4. Kampung Perlis
    5. Kampung Permatang Pasir
    6. Kampung Pulau Betong
    7. Kampung Sungai Burung
    8. Kampung Sungai Rusa
    9. Kampung Terang
    10. Kuala Jalan Bahru
    11. Kuala Jalan Bahru
    12. Pasir Panjang
    13. Sungai Burong
    14. Sungai Pinang
    15. Sungai Rusa
    16. Titi Teras

    Paddy fields of Balik Pulau (15 January 2005)


    The new Balik Pulau Mosque (9 May 2004)


    Panoramic view of the Balik Pulau area from viewpoint at Jalan Tun Sardon (9 May 2004)


    Rural scenery of Balik Pulau (17 November, 2002)


    Timothy Tye in Balik PulauTimothy Tye in Balik Pulau (4 May 2015)

    References

    1. Early History of Penang, edited by Muhammad Haji Salleh, published by USM, page

    List of Towns in Penang and Towns in Malaysia



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