Penang Avatar Secret Garden resembles Pandora — The World of Avatar; not a parallel universe that does NOT resemble Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Dubbed Penang Avatar Secret Garden, this hillock is behind the Thai Pak Koong temple in Tanjung Tokong, transformed by MBI into a neon fantasy.
For Malaysian Avatar fans, this is the closest they get to the Avatar experience of the bioluminescent flora and fauna of the fictional moon, Pandora.
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What is the history of the Penang Avatar Secret Garden?
The Penang Avatar Secret Garden 阿凡达神秘花园 is a beautification project undertaken by the Tua Pek Kong Temple, with sponsorship from the MBI Group.
The project began in August 2016 and opened to the public in time for the 2017 Chinese New Year.
It involves landscaping the hill slope and beach area.
At-grade, an elevated walkway was built for visitors to stroll in the area.
The Penang Avatar Secret Garden’s cool and lush green garden is a welcome respite from the tropical heat. Photos: Doris Lim.
The beauty of Penang Avatar Secret Garden LED lights.
The major attraction is the colourful LED incandescent rope lights.
They drape these over tree branches and around tree trunks.
The best time to visit is at night when the lights sparkle the best.
The breathtaking walk beneath the “Aqua Trees” is a thrilling experience.
Just close your eyes to imagine being on Pandora’s Moon in the Alpha Centauri A system.
Penang Avatar Secret Garden is perfect for that Instagram moment. The stunningly lit garden looks surreal.
You need to weave through the Flat Uda enclave, drive down a narrow tarmac street, and go beyond this archway. Photos: Doris Lim
Penang Avatar Secret Garden Is Not a Na’VI Village
The entrance to the Chinese fishing community is via Flat Uda Tanjung Tokong.
The seafront Thai Pak Koong (God of Prosperity) temple was built in 1799.
This famous temple is noted for its annual Chneah Hoay (fire-watching ceremony), performed on the 14th day of the first Chinese lunar month.
They fan embers in a ceremonial urn until the flames leaped up.
The coming year’s fortune is divined in the conflagration.
In 2004, the tsunami extensively damaged the Hai Choo Hooi (Sea Pearl Lagoon Cafe).
However, the impact of the waves only dislodged one of the concrete lion statues at the temple entrance.
The temple building is still intact. Only a few glass windows broke.
Family-Friendly Voyages to Penang Avatar Secret Garden
For road trippers, here’s another excellent reason to visit Penang Avatar Secret Garden.
You may not get to taste the exotic flavors of Pandora.
The Sea Pearl Lagoon Café has its signature dish of coal-baked crabs and salt-baked prawns to reel customers.
The seafood is fresh and sweet, with the smoky taste of burned marks on the shells.
What to order?
I’ve been there several times for dinner with my friends and colleagues.
We would order a few kilos of crabs, prawns, Satay, and some ordinary Hokkien Char Noodles.
We enjoyed our seafood dinner with a cold beer or coconut water.
In case you’re wondering if there’s any Na’vi-inspired refreshment.
The answer is no.
There are no “bioluminescent” frozen cocktails on sale here.
You also can’t find any indigenous beers sold at the Penang Avatar Secret Garden.
Nothing beats a fresh seafood dinner of fleshy mud crabs and prawns. Photos: Eoh Bee Pheng.
A new beach at the Penang Avatar Secret Garden
Walking on the smooth white sands in the late afternoons is pleasant.
Many visitors pose for selfies with the newly installed stone statues of deities and sea creatures.
Go before sunset to enjoy a beautiful seaside view overlooking the North Channel.
It is a perfect spot for a picnic or looking out to the sea.
Penang Avatar Secret Garden nighttime magic
Experience the magical lights and the wonder of the Penang Avatar Secret Garden. Look out for the beautiful hillock covered with LED tulip flowers.
Look up and see a different view, the beautiful rope lights in many colours—night photos: Winson Eng.
It would be best to experience the lights by walking through the Penang Avatar Secret Garden. Night photos: Winson Eng.
How to get there?
Sea Pearl Lagoon Café,
336, Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong, Tanjung Tokong,
11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
Where to park at the Penang Avatar Secret Garden?
Go early, say before 6 p.m. I suggest parking a little further away and taking a leisurely walk there.
Otherwise, using an app car is an excellent alternative to driving.
If you’re looking for a place to stay nearby
I have been to the Penang Avatar Secret Garden seven times since its opening.
Go more than once. So it’s best to stay at a hotel nearby.
Penang Avatar Secret Garden 阿凡达神秘花园 (GPS: 5.46381, 100.30778)
336, Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
Opening Hours:
8 a.m.-12 a.m. (Daily)
Best time to go:
6.30 pm for a stroll along the beach to view the sunset.
Light Turns On at 7:30 p.m.
The lights can be overwhelming, but it becomes an awesome trip if combined with the sunset and a satay, fried noodles, or seafood dinner.
Enjoy yourself!
Penang Avatar Secret Garden https://g.co/kgs/HeBnktr
Update: This tourist attraction is permanently closed.
berapa harga tiket masuk??
Untuk parking je RM3 – RM5. Kalau parking kat luar (kalau ada tempat) dan jalan masuk memang free untuk public. Terima kasih adik Nurul sudi ikut SmartDory. Happy Holidays!