[Penang Walk Zones Project: Phase Two] Ecotourism: A Bright Future Awaits Seberang Perai Utara

HAVE YOU EVER noticed how different Seberang Perai and Penang Island are even though they are nestled within the same state? The omnipresent rice fields and coconut trees, particularly as you go north, are a stark contrast to what Penang is typically known for – charming old buildings, narrow congested roads and further away from the city centre, shiny shopping complexes.

Given that most tourists come to Penang to prowl the streets of its world heritage site, it is no surprise that tourist attractions in Seberang Perai, just like other lesser-known sites such as Balik Pulau and Teluk Bahang, are often marketed as “hidden gems”.[1]

The phrase is a bit of a misnomer: Seberang Perai is not at all isolated or hidden. On the contrary, it experiences traffic from the North-South Highway, and is well connected southwards to Ipoh, KL and Singapore and northwards to the full diversity of Thailand.

While past Walk Zone articles explored the unique histories of Penang Island's many townships and settlements (see Penang Monthly September 2021), this one focuses on northern Seberang Perai (SPU) on the mainland.[2] Following consultations with MBSP's Director of Tourism, Arts and Heritage Department, TPr Mohd Ridzal bin Abdul, we decided to shift the focus away from Butterworth, the largest town in SPU whose development is unique in its history, and concentrate instead on other locations in SPU that are generally less discussed.