If only the hidden field of 3,000 secrets LED glowing tulips in bright shades behind the Penang Avatar Garden Lights would sing!
This “neon light show” is a crowd-puller, drawing locals and tourists to this enchanted forest of light.
The Penang Avatar Garden is not so secret anymore as it attracts scores of visitors every night.
During the holidays and long weekends, they pack the mystery garden with cars and holidaymakers.
How to get there to the Secret Avatar Garden?
The area behind the Thai Pak Koong Temple Tanjung Tokong was once a disused area.
The hillock garden is accessible by foot via a narrow dirt path sandwiched between the temple and a seafood restaurant.
There are two ways to go up to the top of the little hillock.
One is through the gateway with a wooden staircase, and the other goes a little further and enters by the back.
Fields of LED Tulips
This is the home of the crowds of the famously planted LED tulips in a riot of colors in blue, white, red, yellow, white, and green.
LED Tulip Garden Lights
This photo looks incredibly like a green bunny!
The Secret Avatar Garden is a private landscaping project undertaken and sponsored by MBI Group. Has its name spelled out in red tulips!
MBI is the driving force behind the creation of Penang Avatar Secret Garden 阿凡达神秘花园
Even though the entrance to the garden is free, we found a sign put up here.
Some overzealous visitors have damaged some tulips by climbing in to take photographs.
Watch out for the warning signs.
A series of wooden staircases connect the entire hillock.
As it is rather dim, visitors need to be careful where they step.
The neon lights can be mesmerizing.
Some parts of the Secret Avatar Garden have low lights.
The wooden staircase is full of visitors taking photos of the glowing tulips.
Going up the staircase.
We spent time taking selfies for Instagram and waiting to get the best angles.
It was so much fun taking our photos with this magical backdrop. If you want to visit a real tulip farm, check out the photos here.
By Day
The area behind the Thai Pak Koong Temple in Tanjung Tokong, Penang, appears like any other forested hillock in the daytime.
At night it becomes a surreal bioluminescent world depicted in James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster flick ‘Avatar.’
The light show at the Secret Avatar Garden starts at 7.30 pm, and the timer switches off at 11.45 pm. Entrance to the Penang Avatar Secret Garden is FREE.
Getting there
Visit the temple and turn into Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong off Jalan Tanjung Tokong at the traffic lights. Proceed past the Uda Flats located at the junction.
There are “Uncles” and “Pakciks” welding torch lights to point you in the right direction.
Drive between rows of pre-war village homes and go through the archway.
The compound, which opens towards the seaside, is where you can park.
When is the best time to visit?
We recommend starting earlier if you’re heading up during the long weekends.
You could start your journey around 6 pm from George Town on weekdays, depending on after-work traffic.
Otherwise, enjoy the slower drive and Penang views.
Check Waze for actual traffic conditions.
Going there by Car
The “Uncles” and “Pakciks” will direct you to turn left on the way out.
Follow the driveway and exit out between a small building and some plants onto Jalan Tanjung Bungah.
Parking space is limited during weekends. It’s better to carpool or take the public bus and walk in.
Remember not to turn left as it is a dead-end, and you will need to reverse all the way out.
