Penang Avatar Secret Garden

Note: Permanently closed

Penang Avatar Secret Garden is a viable option if you’re still figuring out what to do in Penang around sunset!

Once the lights come on, you’ll see why people draw parallels between the garden and the one in the James Cameron’s blockbuster movie, Avatar!

There are a few things to know about this place before you go though. We’ll explain more below!

Table of Contents:

Avatar Secret Garden Penang Price

It’s completely free to visit the Avatar Secret Garden in Penang! But while there is no entrance fee, you may have to pay for a parking fee!

Some men have taken it upon themselves to be parking attendants here. They are not legally hired by the temple or the council to do so!

Check Out The Beach While Waiting For The Lights To Go On At Penang Avatar Secret Garden
Check Out The Beach While Waiting For The Lights To Go On At Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to itakeomelas (Instagram)

Locals will usually pay the fee from fear of unnecessary confrontation (usually hostile) or their car being scratched or vandalized by these parking gangsters!

This is unfortunately a pretty common practice everywhere in Malaysia.

The overpriced “parking fees” are as follows:

  • Maintenance fee – RM1
  • Parking spot for a car – RM5
  • Parking spot for a motor – RM2

If you want to avoid all the drama and paying the fees:

  • Park further away outside the final access road to the garden
  • Tesco is a good alternative parking option (<10 minutes’ walk from the garden)
  • Take a taxi or Grab

Avatar Secret Garden Penang Location

Next to the sea and behind the temple (Thai Pak Koong temple) at Tanjung Tokong:

You can come earlier to watch the sunset and wander through the decorative stone statues there!

A Seaside Post-War Bunker Walking Distance From Penang Avatar Secret Garden
A Seaside Post-War Bunker Walking Distance From Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to itakeomelas (Instagram)

Before the garden lights come on at 7:30pm!

Address: 336, Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Island

Opening Hours: 8am – 12am

Background Of Secret Garden Penang

It was actually the neighboring temple, Tua Pek Kong that took up the construction of Penang Avatar Secret Garden in August 2016.

Penang Avatar Secret Garden
Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to jeeryjunjun (Instagram)

The plan to beautify the area behind the temple and the surrounding beach was financially sponsored by the local council.

Complete with a raised walkway to make it easier for visitors to get around the garden!

The Walkway At Penang Avatar Secret Garden
The Walkway At Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to jeeryjunjun (Instagram)

And within a few months, the garden was open to visitors!

What To Do At Avatar Secret Garden

  1. Go on a sunset stroll by the beach
  2. View statues at the beach
  3. Observe activity at the temple (Thai Pak Koong)
  4. Find the World War II bunkers at the beach
  5. Climb up to the viewing tower
Viewing Tower At Penang Avatar Secret Garden
Viewing Tower At Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to yuduanwu (Instagram)
  1. Take numerous photos at your leisure in the garden
  2. Admire the field of LED tulips
  3. Complete the walkway around the garden
  4. See night views of the city from the shoreline
City Night View Along The Beach By Penang Avatar Secret Garden
City Night View Along The Beach By Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to lishaalini_1202 (Instagram)

Avatar Penang Review

What You’ll Like:

  • Free entrance
  • Open until quite late at night
  • Romantic setting for a stroll
  • Beach nearby to watch the sunset
  • Places to eat within walking distance
LED Lights Lighting Up One Of The Post War Bunkers By The Sea Close To Penang Avatar Secret Garden
LED Lights Lighting Up One Of The Post War Bunkers By The Sea Close To Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to jeeryjunjun (Instagram)

Good To Know:

  • Expect to pay a parking fee if you drive there
  • Wear white or other light colors if you want a glow-in-the-dark effect for your photos
  • Lights look better later in the evening when it’s darker
  • Bring along some drinking water
  • Average duration depends on how much you like taking photos! Or if there are many people!

Read more: Khoo Kongsi Temple Penang: See Exquisite Architecture At This Heritage Gem

Food Near To Penang Avatar Secret Garden

Doesn’t hurt to know what’s good to eat around Penang Avatar Secret Garden before you go!

With this list, you can have more chances at tasting Penang food!

1. Indochine Cafe Penang

You might not expect to find a restaurant serving quintessential dishes from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam!

This Indo-China restaurant is next to Hotel Sentral Seaview and features an open-air dining setting under the glow of lanterns!

Assorted Asian Dishes At Indochine Café Penang
Assorted Asian Dishes At Indochine Café Penang – photo credits to chinatigerpg (Instagram)

It takes ~8 minutes to walk here from Penang Avatar Secret Garden!

Address: 515a, Jalan C M Hashim, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Island

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am–10:30pm;

Friday – Sunday 11am–11pm (Wednesday Closed)

Contact: +6017-409 7748

Read more: 17 Best Cafe In Penang With Great Coffee (Includes New Cafes)

2. Viva Local Food Haven

Just 2 minutes’ walk from Indochine Café, is a typical local food court with numerous vendors serving Malaysian food (including Penang street food) at affordable prices!

Viva Local Food Haven Is A Popular Hawker Food Court Close To Penang Avatar Secret Garden
Viva Local Food Haven Is A Popular Hawker Food Court Close To Penang Avatar Secret Garden – photo credits to edipasaribu1 (Instagram)

It’s only open from the evening onwards!

Recommended Dishes:

  • Char koay teow
  • Claypot chicken rice
  • Frog rice
  • Apom balik (Indian crepe)
  • Bang chang koey (Chinese pancake)
  • Duck rice/ porridge
  • Keoy teow fishball soup
Viva Local Food Haven
Viva Local Food Haven – photo credits to iam.mark.vui (Instagram)

Address: Lot 303, Jalan Tanjung Tokong Lama, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Tanjung Bungah, Penang

Opening Hours: 5pm–12am

Contact: +6016-474 9044

Read more: Kek Lok Si Temple – If You Only Have Time For 1 Temple In Penang, Let It Be This One!

3. Taiba Shawerma Restaurant

Taiba Shawerma Restaurant has plenty to offer when it comes to vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes!

Middle-eastern and Mediterranean dishes like baba ganoush, hummus, falafels, kebabs and Greek salad are all delicious and reasonably priced!

Address: Jalan CM Hashim Tanjong Takong, Tanjung Tokong, 11200, Penang Island

Opening Hours: 4pm–12am (Closed On Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

Contact: +6011-3724 4280

4. Lao Hakka Restaurant

Hakka-style dishes rule at this simple restaurant inside the local swimming club! Portions run small which can be a blessing since that allows you to try more dishes!

The stingray curry is a must-try! Prices are above average.

Address: 562, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Kampung Masjid, 10470 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Island

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11am–3pm 6–10pm (Closed On Monday)

Contact: +6012-467 7099

Read more: Fort Cornwallis Penang – UNESCO Heritage Site In George Town

5. Pang Hainan Seafood

Pang Hainan Seafood tends to be packed even if you go early.

If it is packed, you might want to go elsewhere as crowds coming for the tasty Chinese-style seafood dishes mean mediocre service!

Pang (Hainan) Seafood
Pang (Hainan) Seafood – photo credits to pearlylsh (Instagram)

Try dishes like their Kam Heong clams, sweet and sour crab and curry fish!

Lobster Dish At Pang (Hainan) Seafood
Lobster Dish At Pang (Hainan) Seafood – photo credits to master_yeoda (Instagram)

You can see their prices and menu here.

Address: 501 K & L, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Tanjong Bungah, Penang

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 7am–10:30pm (Closed On Monday)

Contact: +6017-452 4863

Read more: 11 Best Seafood Restaurants In Penang (Recommended By Locals)

Best Time To Visit Avatar Secret Garden

Driving to Avatar Secret Garden? Parking is limited particularly on weekends! So it helps to be there early.

Note: If you’re driving from the city, you may want to take rush hour traffic into consideration as well.

As early as 6:30pm so you can catch the sunset too! And go for dinner after seeing the garden!

However, you can always visit the garden later as the lights will be on until 11:30pm!

Further reading:

Getting To Penang Avatar Secret Garden

Rather not take your chances finding the garden and arranging after-hours transport on your own?

Penang Tour - RayTheTour & Travelswithsun

No worries! With RayTheTour, you can always include Penang Avatar Secret Garden as part of a customized private tour itinerary!

Just save your energy to soak in all the wonders of Penang as our experienced local guides show you their hometown!

Book a tour through our WhatsApp or Facebook!

Read more: Penang Street Art (Complete Guide): Where To Find Murals In Penang (With Map)

Conclusion

Is the Penang Avatar Secret Garden worth seeking out? Considering that the entrance is free, and that it’s close to a pretty nice beach and temple, yes!

Families and friends can have the pleasure of taking photos in the garden in the evening and night! Before or after dinner at one of the local eateries nearby!

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