ESCAPE Theme Park
Teluk Bahang
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (closed Monday except public holidays)
Base Camp: RM118 adult, RM98 child; Waterplay: RM95; Combo: RM175 adult, RM150 child
Full day (6–8 hours for all zones)
Morning (10am–noon) for soft light through the forest canopy; late afternoon for golden light on the hillside
English, Malay, Mandarin
What is ESCAPE Theme Park?
ESCAPE Theme Park in Teluk Bahang is Malaysia's premier nature-based outdoor adventure park, holding four Guinness World Records including the world's longest tubeslide at 1,111 metres. Founded in 2011 by Sim Choo Kheng, the park is built into a hillside of tropical rainforest — not cleared land — with four zones: ESCAPE (rope courses, zip-lines), Waterplay (slides and pools), Gravity (tubeslides), and Climb (walls and boulders). All rides and structures are entirely Malaysian-designed.
Most theme parks bulldoze the forest first and install imported rides second. ESCAPE in Teluk Bahang went in the opposite direction. Founder Sim Choo Kheng built the park into the existing hillside rainforest, routing zip-lines through the tree canopy and embedding tubeslides into the natural gradient of the hill. The result is an adventure park that genuinely feels like playing in a jungle rather than a parking lot with rides attached.
That philosophy — nature first, rides second — explains how ESCAPE ended up in the Guinness Book of Records four times. The 1,111-metre tubeslide in the Gravity zone isn't dramatic because it was engineered to be; it's dramatic because the hill is actually that long. Every major feature in the park is entirely Malaysian-designed and built, which makes ESCAPE an unusual kind of national achievement: a world-record holder that grew out of a specific piece of hillside on Penang's northern coast.
History
Read the full history of ESCAPE Theme Park
ESCAPE was founded in 2011 by Malaysian entrepreneur Sim Choo Kheng, who previously co-founded Penang's original Butterfly Farm in 1986 (now Entopia). Sim's concept from the outset was a screen-free, active-play environment rooted in the natural landscape rather than imported theme-park hardware. The Teluk Bahang site — a steep, forested hillside on Penang's north coast — was chosen precisely because its terrain could generate genuine adventure without artificial theming.
The park's development in its early years focused on organic expansion: adding activity zones as the team developed its own engineering and construction capability. By the mid-2010s ESCAPE had attracted international attention for its record-breaking infrastructure. The Gravity tubeslide, at 1,111 metres, is the world's longest; two other tubeslide categories and the zip-coaster have each held Guinness records in their respective categories. All of these were designed and built by Malaysian teams — a point Sim has repeatedly emphasised as core to the brand identity. The park has become the anchor attraction of the Teluk Bahang adventure corridor alongside Entopia and the Tropical Spice Garden.
Photography Guide
- Best time
- Morning (10am–noon) for soft light through the forest canopy; late afternoon for golden light on the hillside
- Best position
- Shoot from the base of the Gravity tubeslide exit to capture the full length of riders coming down; zip-line arrivals platform for dynamic action shots
- What's allowed
- Photography throughout the park. Action zones welcome photography. Waterproof your camera in the Waterplay zone.
Tips
- Waterproof your camera or use a phone case — Waterplay zone will get your gear wet
- The jungle canopy creates dappled light; slightly increase exposure compensation to avoid silhouetting riders
- Action shots on the tubeslide require burst mode and anticipating the exit point
- Wide angle works well for rope bridges to capture height and forest depth simultaneously
Plan Your Visit
Before your visit
5 min drive along the same coastal strip — open from 9am so fits before ESCAPE's 10am opening
After your visit
A 10-min drive from ESCAPE; a calm, shaded garden walk is a good decompression after an active day
Travel times are approximate.
Map & Directions
Insider Tips
- •Buy tickets online for a discount and to guarantee entry (sells out on weekends)
- •Arrive at opening (10am) to maximise time - you will want the full day
- •Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet and bring a change for the drive home
- •The Gravity zone (world's longest tubeslide) is a separate ticket but worth it
- •Bring sunscreen and a hat - much of the park is outdoors
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Online booking is strongly recommended and often mandatory on weekends and Malaysian public holidays. Walk-up tickets are available on quieter weekdays but the park does sell out. Book at escape.my at least a day ahead for weekend visits.
Are there height and weight restrictions on the rides?
Yes. The 1,111m tubeslide and zip-line both have minimum height requirements (typically 120cm) and upper weight limits. Specific limits are listed during the online booking process. Children below 90cm are restricted to the toddler zones.
Is the park open on Mondays?
ESCAPE is closed on Mondays except Malaysian public holidays. Operating days are Tuesday through Sunday, 10am–6pm.
Should I buy the combo ticket or separate zone tickets?
The combo ticket (Base Camp + Waterplay) is significantly better value if you plan to use both zones, which most visitors do. The Gravity zone is currently included in Base Camp. Check the website as ticket bundling changes periodically.
What should I bring?
Aqua shoes or old trainers (mandatory for most activities), a change of clothes and a plastic bag, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water. Lockers are available on site for a small fee. Leave valuables in the car or locker before accessing the water zones.
