This 8-hectare butterfly park in Penang is the largest of its kind. Entopia By Penang Butterfly Farm has a dome-shaped exterior, similar to Singapore’s Flower Dome. In it, are a variety of insects, reptiles and over 15,000 free-flying butterflies!
Our visit to this place was an eye-opening experience!
Background Information
Founded in 1986 by David Goh, a teacher with a passion for butterflies and entomology, the Penang Butterfly Farm was one of the first tropical butterfly and insect sanctuaries in the world.
The butterfly farm is currently managed by David Goh’s son, Joseph Goh – the current CEO of Penang Butterfly Farm. And in recent years, the Penang Butterfly Farm has undergone a major face life, alongside a complete re-branding into Entopia.
As a major tourist attraction, Entopia also serves to foster interest in entomology within the Malaysian public, alongside raising awareness on butterfly conservation and habitat issues.
With awards like the Malaysian Tourism Gold Award and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, Entopia has seen millions of local and international visitors over the years!
Entrance Fees
Entopia opens daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. They are closed on Wednesdays but are usually open on public holidays at their usual opening hours.
Do note that ticket sales and entry will not be allowed after 5:00 pm.
If you happen to be Malaysian, remember to bring along your MyKad for a cheaper entry fee! Packages for different group sizes and families are also available.
| Category | Standard | MyKad |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (13 years old & above) | RM75 | RM65 |
| Child (4 to 12 years old) | RM55 | RM45 |
| Senior Citizen (60 years old & above) | RM55 | RM45 |
And if you have more than 20 people in your group, you may be eligible for a discount too! But remember to make a booking 2 weeks before you visit!
Contact Entopia’s Sales Department at [email protected] for any inquiries.
Be sure to check their promotion page before you go too.
Or you can check out if there are better prices on Klook!
Facilities
Look out for some of these facilities in the park!
- Free WiFi
- Toilets
- Nursing Rooms
- Surau
- Helpdesks (EDU & FOE)
- Sick Bay
- The Atlas (members-only lounge)
- Tapestree Café
- Entopia Store
- The Sphere multi-function hall
1. Natureland – Outdoor Section
A living garden vivarium stretching 1.18km long, Natureland is the highlight of Entopia. It is a recreated ecological home for numerous insects and reptiles. And it’s also one of the largest butterfly gardens in Malaysia, with around 15,000 butterflies from across an average of 60 different species.
Many stunning butterflies flutter free in this oversized vivarium. Surprising sightings of ducks and a monitor lizard enclosure make this garden unique too. And during our visit, we saw a flat frog, poison frog and other frogs.
Apart from the fauna, the flora is also exquisite, with over 200 types of plants. There are water features and ponds as well. The lush foliage provides shady spots here and there. We found that the tropical heat makes this area quite humid.
Hibiscus, papaya, and other fruits that the butterflies like are strategically placed in the outdoor section for visitors to marvel as the insects feed.
The Hide and Seek section was interesting since it tests how many stick bugs and leaf insects you can spot! This is no easy task and a true testament to Mother Nature at her best as they camouflage seamlessly into their surroundings!
Other attractions in this section:
- Aroma Trail
- Dragon Path
- Mystery Cave
- Tiger Falls
- Home Tree
- David’s Garden
Tips:
- Wear bright colors to attract butterflies to you
- Remember to check the weather forecast before buying your tickets
- Visitors can visit The Cocoon (indoor section) first if it rains
- Umbrellas are available upon request on rainy days
2. Cocoon – Indoor Section
A 2-storey indoor exhibition and activities with world-class facilities to self-explore the world of invertebrates!
Here, we got some relief from the hot weather outside because it’s air-conditioned. Besides, there are plenty of knowledge boards and slides for the little ones to play too.
Entopia staff will bring in some non-venomous insects for visitors to hold. These include leaf insects and stick insects.
If you dare (we didn’t), go ahead and dangle a millipede around your wrist or arm! Be forewarned that the millipede may spray toxin in defence or out of stress, which may cause your skin to itch. But there is help right there as the staff have sanitizer wipes ready.
Of the bugs the staff showed to us, there was also a bug with a face on its back. This is the man-faced stink bug. And everyone will want to catch a glimpse of its bright yellow body! We were instructed to watch as this face pattern changed when the insect took flight.
In this section of Entopia, there’s also a lookout point where you can climb up and observe life underwater! It was fun trying to figure out what we’re looking at. And interactive set ups like this one ensures there is never a dull moment in Entopia.
Other attractions in this section:
- Lumino City
- Cinerama
- Downtown Entopia
- Understory Tales
- Underground Mysteries
- Pandora Forest
- Metamorphosis
- Breeding Ground
3. Tapestree Café
The in-houses café is Tapestree and it is over at Natureland (outdoor section) where you can dine with butterflies in a natural outdoor space or relax in the air-conditioned indoors. The café is quite large!
The menu features Western and Asian cuisine. They also have a barista to satisfy your coffee cravings!
Tapestree Café is open from 10am to 5pm.
Note: Tapestree is officially Halal-certified.
Summary
What we liked:
- The greenery and reptiles are just as interesting as the butterflies
- Improved facilities since the renovation
- Knowledgeable staff are helpful in providing explanations
- Certain sessions allow visitors to hold the scorpions, iguanas, and more
- 4pm butterfly release session allows you to release butterflies that have just evolved from pupa.
- Great for kids!
Good to know:
- Cooler in the mornings and evenings but butterflies are more active during sunny days!
- Dress light as the park can get quite warm.
- Watch where you step as butterflies may land on the ground
- Expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours in the park
- Getting a taxi back may take time
How To Get Here
1. By Bus:
Take Rapid Penang bus numbers, 101 or 102 from Georgetown.
| Bus | From | Duration | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Jetty (Weld Quay) | ~1 hour 10 minutes | 10 minutes | RM4 |
| 102 | Penang Airport | ~1 hour 45 minutes | 60 minutes | RM5 |
| 501 | Balik Pulau | ~1 hour 15 minutes | 120 minutes | RM2 |
2. By Grab/Taxi:
Use the Grab app to arrange for a driver to pick you up. Either that or you can take a taxi there!
If you’re driving,
- It’s a 30-minute drive away from Georgetown
- From George Town, use the coastal route to Teluk Bahang roundabout where you should exit at 9 o’clock.
- Continue straight for another 1.5km to Entopia
There is ample parking space for free!
Or park opposite Entopia at Perbadanan Bekalan Air (PBA)
Read more about how to get around Penang.
Other Attractions Nearby
Since you’re going to be checking out the Butterfly Farm, make your trip worthwhile by visiting another Penang attraction in the area!
1. ESCAPE Penang
Slide down the world’s longest water slide in ESCAPE Penang at Teluk Bahang, Penang! You will zigzag through the trees for a full 3 minutes!
The park has other gravity-play rides too like a ski lift, water slide, tubby racer and hill rider! With such a wide range of fun activities, ESCAPE Penang is suitable for anyone seeking a thrill!
We had such a fun time at ESCAPE Penang and highly recommend a visit!
2. Penang National Park
Go jungle trekking over the hills, walk along the beach, do some bird watching or visit the Turtle Conservation Centre in Penang National Park!
Visitors can also camp at the campsites in Penang National Park. Just be aware that it is a national park and there might be wildlife roaming around the camp area.
Conclusion
Entopia Penang Butterfly Farm isn’t just a butterfly and reptile lovers paradise, it’s also a living classroom for all walks of life. We were impressed with what we saw during our visit.
This ever-evolving butterfly farm will have visitors returning for more. Be it for the informative exhibits, or the sheer variety of breathtaking species you can encounter here!
Things To Do With Kids In Penang
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm is perfect if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Penang! But you will need to get out of the main city, so we’ve got other suggestions you might prefer instead.
Other Places To Visit In Penang
Whether it’s for education or leisure, Entopia By Penang Butterfly Farm is one of many recommended places to visit in Penang for all walks of life! But it is not a must-see attraction and so you might, want to save it for a rainy day.
