Tanjung Bungah is a seafront neighbourhood dominated by high-rise apartments, located just to the west of downtown George Town on the north coast of Penang.
The location of this popular suburb places it between the urban joys of Gurney Drive and the more relaxed beachside appeal of nearby Batu Ferringhi. While it lacks some of the laidback popularity of Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah shares much of the beachfront feel of its more recognisable neighbour. This makes the area a favoured destination for visitors, with the neighbourhood boasting some of the most popular real estate in Penang, with a sizeable expat community.
This once-quiet fishing town has grown to become a well-developed suburb and part of George Town’s westward urban growth, meaning Tanjung Bungah property combines beachfront views with the benefits of easy access to Penang’s capital. Tanjung Bungah apartment complexes dominate the skyline, the result of rapid urbanisation which began in the 1980s, and continues today thanks to the neighbourhood’s sustained popularity.
Entertainment in Tanjung Bungah is largely dominated by beachfront and water-based activities. The area is home to two swimming clubs, The Penang Swimming Club and Penang Chinese Swimming Club. These two centres host a number of private and public swimming opportunities that are perhaps more favourable than the waters of nearby beaches. The beach itself offers further leisure opportunities, with watersport activities stretching the length of the coast round to neighbouring Batu Ferringhi. The neighbourhood’s coastal views are also enhanced by the famous Penang Floating Mosque, a stunning landmark reaching out from the shoreline of Tanjung Bungah.
Residents of Tanjung Bungah enjoy access to malls in nearby Tanjung Tokong, making Island Plaza and Straits Quay Mall the most conveniently located malls to the neighbourhood. The busy malls at Gurney Drive are also within easy reach, meaning residents can enjoy the entertainment and retail opportunities of popular shopping centres Gurney Paragon and Gurney Plaza.
Tanjung Bungah food is varied and plentiful, as you might expect from Penang’s reputation as an established food paradise. Tanjung Bungah Market is a popular local fresh produce and hawker stall centre which offers a wide variety of delicious street food to enjoy. As a popular and international neighbourhood, residents can also enjoy everything from established western cuisine and popular cafes to exciting Middle East restaurants.
The neighbourhood lacks a major supermarket or hypermarket, but has a number of minimarkets, alongside the local market, to stock up on fresh groceries and everyday staples. Nearby Tesco hypermarket in Tanjung Tokong provides convenient access to a more substantial shopping experience, with this huge store offering your regular groceries alongside a great selection of international brands.
The area is home to Dalat International School and Tenby International School, offering primary and secondary education for local children. Pelita International School in nearby Tanjung Tokong, or Uplands School in Batu Ferringhi, both offer respected alternative options for private education within convenient travel.
Travel itself is one element where the neighbourhood’s residents may experience frustration. While a Tanjung Bungah condo may offer unparalleled views across George Town and the beautiful north Penang coast, owners will also find themselves victims of that local geography. The main thoroughfare, Tanjung Bungah Road, forms part of Federal Route 6. This major highway circles Penang Island, making it one of the area’s busiest roads, and can become jammed at popular times.
Public transport in the area is limited to local Rapid Penang bus routes, although the proximity to downtown George Town makes the capital highly accessible from the Tanjung Bungah neighbourhood. The suburb also boasts one of the few completed sections of Penang’s planned dedicated cycling route. While only 1.2km of coastal cycleway is currently complete, it forms part of a larger development set to link up Penang with dedicated cycle routes in coming years.
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