Sungai Ara

 

Overview

Sungai Ara is a township located in the Southeast of Penang Island. From Malay the name translates to “Fig River”. Prior to development, it was a rural agricultural land dominated by vegetable farming. It gets its name from Sungai Ara river flowing east through the area which joins with Sungai Relau to form the larger Sungai Keluang which eventually opens on to the sea.

Property Development

At present, Sungai Ara is largely comprised of residential developments. As Sungai Ara is a little far from George Town, the residents are those working in the south, mainly, at Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone. Residential options are available from various apartments: Acres Villa, Aramas Apartment, I-Park, Idaman Lavender, Mutiara Perdana, Sri Abadi, Sri Kenari and Taman Sri Puteri; condominiums: Fiera Vista, Idaman Iris, Pearl Garden, One Imperial, Reflections, Regency Heights, Setia Pinnacle, Setia Tri-Angle, Sunrise Garden, Gardens Ville,  Meridien Residence, Vistaria, Zan Pavillon and Sierra Residences; and housing estates: Dua Villas – 2 & 3-storey terraces, Sathu Terraces – 2-storey terraces, Tree Residency – 2-storey corner duplex, link duplex and twin villa houses, Raintree Garden – 2-storey semi-detached houses, Setia Greens & Sunway Merica – 3-storey terrace &  semi-detached houses, Cangkat Sungai Ara – 2.5-storey terraces and Taman Sri Bayan – 2-storey houses and a high-rise apartment.

Amenities and Facilities

Sungai Ara village (at Jalan Tengah junction) provides the nearest night market & farmer's market with fresh produce due to presence of many orchards and farms surrounding the area. Although shopping malls are not located within this neighborhood, Jambul Complex, Sunshine Square, Giant Hypermarket and Queensbay Mall are only a short drive away. The locals dine out at Sungai Ara Food Court, with many hawker stalls selling a variety of local dishes, and at a number of other individual eateries such as Kedai Kopi Sin Kang, Sushi Kitchen, Pak Husin Tomyam and Watari Sate Sungai Ara. Places of worship in the area include Guan Gong Temple, Masjid Al-Huda, Surau Ar Rahman and Georgetown Baptist Church. Medical needs are attended to by Hope Children Hospital and Pantai Hospital Penang (10 minutes) while Penang International Sports Arena and Metropolitan Public Park are suited for recreational activities, which are all, within a short drive. Other amenities and facilities in Sungai Ara include schools such as SK Sungai Ara, SRJK (C) Chong Cheng, SM Sungai Ara and SK Mutiara Perdana, clinic, pharmacy and petrol station.

Accessibility and Transportation

To reach Sungai Ara from the mainland either Penang Bridge or Penang Second Bridge can be used as it is approximately equidistant from both bridges. Within the island, from the North it can be reached via Jalan Paya Terubong then Jalan Kampung Batak which leads to any destination within Sungai Ara while Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim provides access from the South.