Exploring Balik Pulau
District in Southwest Penang, Malaysia
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Balik Pulau is the main township on the southwest part of Penang Island. The name Balik Pulau means "on the other side of the island". It has the last patch of paddy fields in Penang Island, and that is where I shot the above photograph for Penang Travel Tips and AsiaExplorers. Balik Pulau is traditionally popular among the people of Penang as where they will get the best fruits. This is where Penangites throng every durian season when the fruits are in abundance. Many swear that Balik Pulau durians are still the best anywhere in Malaysia. AsiaExplorers has a page specially devoted to Balik Pulau durians which you can read right here: http://www.asiaexplorers.com/malaysia/penang_durian.htm
Of late, Balik Pulau has also built a reputation as a food haven for the locals, who come for the famous Balik Pulau Laksa and Pasembur at the Balik Pulau Market, the Laksa Janggus at Kampung Perlis, and the Hokkien Mee at Kampung Kuala Jalan Bahru.
The hills surrounding Balik Pulau Town (also called Kongsi) are clove and nutmeg plantations, in addition to the durian estates and fruit orchards. Clove and nutmeg were introduced to Balik Pulau by the East India Company in 1794, after the British founded their settlement on Penang Island.
Once a quiet hamlet, Balik Pulau has seen much housing development, spilled over from the expanding metropolitan area of the west coast of Penang Island. The road leading towards Balik Pulau is now being upgraded by smoothening some curves and the building of a few bridges.
Balik Pulau is where you find the last remaining paddy fields in Penang.
The new Balik Pulau Mosque
The view of Balik Pulau from the viewpoint at Jalan Tun Sardon.
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