The Habitat Penang Hill has extended its operation hours from 9am to 9pm daily, starting from Aug 31.
This change allows visitors to explore the hidden wonders of nature after dark amidst the pristine rainforest of the UNESCO-listed Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.
Its executive director Allen Tan explained that the extended hours aim to offer visitors a unique experience of Penang Hill’s nocturnal wildlife.
Previously, The Habitat closed at 7pm on weekdays and 8pm on weekends. Now, with the new schedule, it will close at 9pm, with the last entry at 6.30pm instead of 5.30pm. Tan noted that many visitors arriving between 5.30pm and 5.45pm were previously denied entry due to time constraints. The last train down from Penang Hill is at 11pm.
“Little known to most people is that the hill is home to several nocturnal creatures. They are very active at night and will come out to feed. Many of them are arboreal animals, living in the treetops.
“For example, we have the colugos (flying lemurs) and giant red flying squirrels. They are active at night and will glide from tree to tree in search of food,” Tan said.
Visitors staying later in the evening not only enjoy the breathtaking views from the Curtis Crest but also have the opportunity to experience this unique nocturnal wildlife.
The Habitat has also enhanced its attractions by installing beautiful lighting at Langur Canopy Walk & Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, making these spots highly Instagrammable.
In addition, a new ultraviolet (UV) experience has been introduced, where visitors can witness an Avatar-garden effect under UV lights. Guides will be stationed throughout the park to help visitors make the most of these experiences.
Penang Hill has seen a steady increase in visitors, attracting around 4,000 visitors daily on weekdays, and 7,000 visitors daily on weekends in recent months.
Tan reported a 20% to 30% increase in visitor numbers to The Habitat Penang Hill from May and June in previous years, with tourists from China ranking among the top five, alongside Singapore, Germany, Australia and Malaysia.
Since The Habitat began operations nine years ago, annual visitor numbers have grown from 50,000 to over 100,000.
Looking ahead, Tan expressed hope that the ongoing Penang Hill Cable Car project, expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026, will attract more night-time visitors to The Habitat.
To accommodate the influx of international tourists, The Habitat is upgrading its signage and implementing QR codes to assist non-English speaking visitors.
“In time, we hope that The Habitat will become so popular with night visitors that a new market segment will be created,” Tan shared.
“Currently, only a small percentage of visitors stay on Penang Hill after dark. We hope that new attractions will encourage more visitors to stay for dinner after sunset.
“Our ultimate mission is to educate people and help them reconnect with nature, showcasing economic activities and sustainable development in harmony with the environment.”
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of The Habitat Penang Hill