Bayan Lepas is a town in Penang, Malaysia. The area makes up the south-east region of Pulau Pinang and includes the mid-way town of Gelugor, which separates Bayan Lepas and George Town, along with Batu Muang at the south-eastern tip of the island.

Get in

By plane

1 Penang International Airport (PEN  ^IATA), formerly Bayan Lepas International Airport, is situated within Bayan Lepas and serves the entire state of Penang. From the airport you can take either a bus or taxi depending where in Bayan Lepas you need to go. Further information on the airport can be found in the main Penang article.

See

• 1 Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden, Persiaran Bukit Jambul (near the Hotel Equatorial Pinang), ☏ +60 4-644 8863. Daily 09:30-18:30 (last admission at 17:30). Besides the collection of hibiscus, orchid and tropical flowers, there is a deer park, an ornamental Japanese pond, cactus garden, tea kiosk, pottery corner and a cascading waterfall that provides a perfect backdrop for picnics. Several areas have been dedicated to plant sales and there is a reptile house within the garden. You can pose for a picture with Malaysia's largest tame snake, a rare Albino Python or watch the Snake Show on weekends and public holidays, 11:30-15:30. Adult RM5, children RM2. 

• 2 Fisheries Research Institute Aquarium, Jl Batu Muang, ☏ +60 4 626-3925. Th-Tu 10:00-17:00. A medium-sized aquarium that showcases mostly fish found in regional waters. Nothing fancy but quite informative and enjoyable. Adult RM7, Child (7-12) RM2, Under 7 Free. 

• 3 Penang Bridge. With a span of 8.4km over water, it is one of the longest bridges in Asia. The bridge connects the island to the mainland (Seberang Perai) and offers great views of the port and city. You are not supposed to stop on the bridge but many people use the emergency stop areas for a quick photo shoot. The bridge opened to public in 1985 and still is a major national landmark for Malaysia. The 4 Second Penang Bridge, an even longer bridge, opened in Nov 2013 and links Batu Muang to Batu Kawan on the mainland. 

• 5 Pulau Jerejak (Jerejak Island). Also known as the Alcatraz of Malaysia, because the island was once the location of the Jerejak Prison. This beautiful 362 hectare tropical island, is located directly across the channel from Bayan Lepas. The island is now open to the public as a recreational resort. Numerous outdoor activities including nature & historical trekking, mountain biking, and archery are available; personal care such as aromatherapy massage, tired foot treatment, body scrub are also available. Unfortunately, you are advised not to swim in the sea around the Jerejak island because it is not quite clean. Ferries from Penang operate 06:30-00:30. Return trip fare for guests with room / event reservations: Adult RM6, Children RM3. Day trippers: Adult RM16 (include meals), Children RM3. Various accommodation option available: tent for 2 persons costs RM80 per night, 2-bed room RM115, chalet RM220 or promotional 3D/2N package for 2 persons costs RM499. 

Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas

• 6 Snake Temple (Take Rapid Penang bus 401 or 401A from KOMTAR). 09:00-18:00. Built in 1850 in memory of the renowned Chinese monk Chor Soo Kong. The Snake Temple is on the edge of a highway and is famous for the fact that it has pit vipers living within the temple grounds. Legend has it that Chor Soo Kong, who was also a healer, gave shelter to the snakes of jungle. After the completion of the temple, snakes appeared on their own accord. Today, the snake population of the Temple of the Azure Cloud is very small, due to the urbanization of the area, but you can still see them coiled up on the altar tables, and you can touch them, if you are brave enough. Originally, the snakes were said to be rendered harmless by the smell of the burning incense, but today, to be safe, the resident vipers are devenomed. There is a snake museum beside the temple where there are snakes galore and you can see a staff member occasionally handling an albino Burmese python. Museum admission RM5 for adults, free admission for temple. 

• 7 War Museum, Lot 1350, Mukim 12, Batu Maung, ☏ +60 4 626-5142, +60 4 391-0067, fax: +60 4 644-8015. Daily 09:00-19:00 (last admission). Located at southeastern tip of Penang, it's a large abandoned military fortress built in the 1930s by the British to protect the southern approaches to the island. The British Royal Engineers and a work force of local labourers blasted and dug into the hill to create a fort with underground military tunnels, an intelligence and logistic centre, halls, offices, ventilation shafts, artillery firing bays, sleeping quarters, cook houses as well as an infirmary. 

Do

• 1 Penang Golf Club (Formerly Bukit Jambul Country Club), 2 Jl Bukit Jambul, ☏ +60 4 644-2255. Renovated in 2012, this Golf club is home to an 18 hole course and driving range. The club also has other facilities including a Japanese restaurant, squash courts, gym, tennis court and snooker rooms. 

Buy

• 1 Bukit Jambul Complex (BJ Kompleks). 414 shops, Mydin-hypermarket, food court, an amusement centre, 6 cineplexes and a 40-lane bowling alley. 

• 2 Queensbay Mall. Bayan Baru. Opened in December 2006, it is the island's largest mall. It is located next to the sea opposite Pulau Jerejak and is about 20 min drive from the centre of Georgetown. Five levels of retail and 8 levels of parking, Jusco as its anchor tenant, 17 junior anchors, a cineplex, many restaurants and more than 500 retail merchants, including a Borders bookstore. 

Sleep

• 1 Eastin Hotel Penang, 1 Solok Bayan Indah, ☏ +60 4 612-1111. 

• 2 Hotel Equatorial Penang, 1 Jalan Bukit Jambul, ☏ +60 4 643 8111. On the east coast of Penang, convenient for the airport and its industrial area. 

Go next

• Continue up north to George Town, the capital of Penang and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Relax on the beach at Batu Ferringhi and the nearby resort town of Tanjung Bungah. If you're hungry for seafood look no further than the fishing village of Teluk Bahang and, if time permits, go for a leisurely trek in Penang National Park.
• Visit Penang's mainland (Seberang Perai), which is somewhat off the tourist track. The towns of Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam are great places to start.