Entopia
Last updated: October 2026
Entopia is a butterfly and insect centre in Teluk Bahang on the north-west coast of Penang Island, and the redeveloped successor to the Penang Butterfly Farm, which opened on the same site in 1986. Inside a large netted dome, thousands of butterflies fly freely among more than 200 kinds of plants, waterfalls and ponds, while an indoor two-storey centre called The Cocoon explains insect life with hands-on exhibits. From Thursday to Sunday evenings the garden reopens as Entopia by Night, lit with ultraviolet light to show plants and animals that glow.
It is one of the island's most popular family attractions and pairs easily with ESCAPE next door, the Tropical Spice Garden and Penang National Park. This guide covers its history, what to see, tickets and opening hours, how to get there and tips, checked in October 2026.
| Address | Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang |
|---|---|
| Details | Daily 9 am – 6 pm (last admission 5 pm); Entopia by Night Thu–Sun 7 – 10 pm RM75 adults, RM55 children; MyKad RM65 / RM45; evening RM40 / RM30 |
| Area | Teluk Bahang |
| Typical visit | About 2 h |
| Listed in | Penang Attractions |
| Take me here | |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
History of Entopia and the Penang Butterfly Farm
The story starts with David Goh, a young teacher with a strong interest in butterflies who taught himself entomology. In 1986 he opened the Penang Butterfly Farm in Teluk Bahang, which was promoted as the tropical world's first butterfly and insect sanctuary. Over almost three decades the farm received more than five million local and international visitors and became one of the standard stops on any Penang island tour.
On 7 March 2015, in its 29th year, the farm closed for a complete redevelopment and rebranding, led by David's son Joseph Goh, who became chief executive. It reopened as Entopia in 2016; sources give 2 May 2016 for the public opening and 8 July 2016 for the formal launch. The first phase of the new centre covers about 9,290 square metres, more than three times the size of the original garden, which survives within the site as David's Garden.
The redevelopment won the Best Transformed Tourist Attraction award in 2016, and the plant-covered front facade was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest green wall in the country, covering about 1,860 square metres with some 88,000 plants. The butterflies are raised in Entopia's own breeding centre in the hills nearby, and over the years the team has bred around 120 Malaysian butterfly species. In 2025 Entopia launched its night programme, presenting the garden as a biofluorescent garden after dark.
What to See at Entopia
Natureland
Natureland is the outdoor half of Entopia: a giant domed, netted enclosure planted with more than 200 plant species, with waterfalls, ponds, rock caves and raised walkways. Up to 15,000 butterflies of about 60 species, mostly native to Malaysia, may be flying at any one time. Look out for the green-and-black Rajah Brooke's birdwing and the large yellow birdwings, and for feeding stations where butterflies gather on fruit. Named areas include Mystery Cave, Tiger Falls, Home Tree, Dragon Path, the Aroma Trail and David's Garden, the preserved core of the original farm. Natureland also houses insects, reptiles and amphibians, including stick and leaf insects, tarantulas, scorpions, snakes, iguanas and monitor lizards.
The Cocoon
The Cocoon is a two-storey indoor discovery centre aimed at children but useful for adults too. Its galleries cover metamorphosis and insect life cycles, with preserved specimens, interactive stations, a breeding area and a small cinema showing nature documentaries. Gallery names include Pandora Forest, Metamorphosis, Cinerama, Breeding Ground, Lumino City, Downtown Entopia, Underground Mysteries and Understory Tales. It is air-conditioned, which makes it a good break on a hot day.
Butterfly release and pupae
Entopia runs a butterfly release experience called Vita Nova, and visitors can see pupae hanging in the emergence area, where new butterflies dry their wings before being let into the garden. Ask at the counter what is scheduled on the day.
Entopia by Night
From Thursday to Sunday, 7 pm to 10 pm (last entry 9 pm), the garden reopens as Entopia by Night, billed as the world's first biofluorescent garden. Butterflies rest after sunset, so the focus shifts to plants and night-active animals such as scorpions, geckos and stick insects, many of which glow under ultraviolet light. Activities include a Fluorescent Lab for simple UV experiments and a glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoo station. A package with a guided walk and three-course dinner at the Tapestree cafe is also offered. Night tickets must be booked online in advance.
Food and shop
Tapestree, the cafe between Natureland and The Cocoon, serves Western and Asian dishes and coffee. A gift shop near the exit sells souvenirs, toys and some books.
Entopia Tickets, Opening Hours and How Long to Spend
- Daytime: daily 9 am to 6 pm, last admission 5 pm.
- Day tickets: adults RM75, children RM55; MyKad holders RM65 adults, RM45 children. Family packages are available.
- Entopia by Night: Thursday to Sunday 7 pm to 10 pm, last entry 9 pm; RM40 adults, RM30 children. Book online.
- Time needed: about 1.5 to 2 hours by day, longer with young children or a keen interest in insects.
Prices are set by Entopia and change from time to time, and online prices can differ from the counter, so check the official ticketing site before you go.
How to Get to Entopia
- Address: Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, about 2 km inland from the Teluk Bahang roundabout at the end of the Batu Ferringhi coast road.
- Rapid Penang bus 101 or 102: both run to Teluk Bahang and stop near ESCAPE, about a two-minute walk away. Bus 101 runs from Weld Quay and KOMTAR in George Town via Batu Ferringhi; allow an hour or more.
- Grab or taxi: about 40 minutes from George Town, depending on traffic. Pick-up is at the ticket office.
- Driving: parking on site is free.
Tips for Visiting Entopia
- Go on a sunny morning. Butterflies are most active in warm sunshine; on dull, rainy days many of them rest.
- Dress for the heat. Natureland is open-air under netting and can feel hot and humid. Wear light clothes and bring water.
- Do not touch or chase the butterflies. Their wings are fragile. Keep children from grabbing at them.
- Accessibility: the walkways are flat and wheelchair-friendly, with moving walkways for the upper levels and benches along the way.
- Plan a Teluk Bahang day. ESCAPE is next door, the Tropical Spice Garden and Penang National Park are a few minutes' drive away, and Teluk Bahang village has seafood restaurants. Come back for the night session on a Thursday to Sunday if you are staying in Batu Ferringhi.
Entopia Location
Nearby
- ESCAPE Penang — Attraction, 0.1 km away
- Teluk Bahang Dam — Attraction, 0.3 km away
- Penang Batik Factory — Souvenirs, 1.0 km away
- Penang National Park — Attraction, 1.8 km away
- Tropical Spice Garden — Attraction, 2.4 km away
Plan a route with opening times using the Where2Go trip planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Entopia ticket?
Day tickets are RM75 for adults and RM55 for children, or RM65 and RM45 for MyKad holders. Entopia by Night costs RM40 for adults and RM30 for children. Check the official site for current prices and family packages.
What are Entopia opening hours?
Daily 9 am to 6 pm, with last admission at 5 pm. Entopia by Night runs Thursday to Sunday from 7 pm to 10 pm, with last entry at 9 pm.
Is Entopia the same as the Penang Butterfly Farm?
Yes. The Penang Butterfly Farm, founded by David Goh in 1986, closed in March 2015 for redevelopment and reopened on the same Teluk Bahang site as Entopia in 2016.
Will I see butterflies at Entopia by Night?
Not really. Butterflies rest after dark, so the night session focuses on biofluorescent plants and nocturnal animals such as scorpions and stick insects under ultraviolet light.
How long do you need at Entopia?
Most visitors spend about 1.5 to 2 hours on a daytime visit covering Natureland and The Cocoon.
How do I get to Entopia by bus?
Take Rapid Penang bus 101 from Weld Quay or KOMTAR, or bus 102, to Teluk Bahang. The stop near ESCAPE is about a two-minute walk from Entopia.