Balik Pulau is a suburb of George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. Located 12.7 km (7.9 mi) southwest of the city centre, it lies near the southwestern corner of Penang Island and is also the administrative seat of the island's Southwest district.
The agricultural town of Balik Pulau was established in 1794 by the British East India Company. To this day, the economy of Balik Pulau still relies heavily on agriculture; Penang's most famous produce, including nutmegs, cloves and durians, are grown and harvested in the town. These have also contributed to the town's growing tourism sector; Balik Pulau's reputation for its wide variety of durians, for instance, attracts hordes of tourists between May and August each year.While Balik Pulau is generally seen as quieter in comparison to the bustling city centre on the other side of the island, urbanisation has also reached the town in recent years, with more residential developments being planned within the area.
Having your own form of transport will certainly simplify your journey around Balik Pulau. If you are merely venturing around the town centre of Balik Pulau then walking is perfectly fine. If you are planning to venture out to the country side where many attractions are scattered then having at least a bicycle will aid your travel. Some areas, particularly to the north along Jalan Teluk Bahang, require motorised transport due to the mountainous roads. Rapid Penang's bus 501 does travel along this road between Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau, but due to its infrequency it can be a time waster waiting for the bus.
