The Gravityz – A Must-Do Activity in Penang

Does ziplining at a height of 239 meters sound appealing to you? Are you looking for new ways to conquer your fear of heights? Or maybe you’ve always wondered what it feels like to work as a high-rise window cleaner?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there’s no better way to satisfy your need for adventure than by trying one of Penang’s newest attractions: The Gravityz.

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What is the Gravityz, Penang?

The Gravityz is a high-altitude ropes course located on the 65th floor of KOMTAR in Penang.

Participants navigate a series of outdoor obstacles, like narrow walkways, suspended platforms, and a short zipline, while securely harnessed to an overhead safety system, all at a height of 239 meters above the city.

It’s currently the world’s highest ropes course challenge and is also dubbed one of the best high-altitude attractions in Southeast Asia.

Gravityz Penang ticket prices & operating hours

Apparently, if I had chosen the 3 pm slot, it would have been half the price, but I didn’t know that at the time.

How to book

You can book online or on the spot at the ticket counter. However, since they only accommodate up to six people per session, it’s best to book in advance. You might also get better rates if you book early.

Is The Gravityz safe?

The Gravityz uses Swiss- and Italian-made safety equipment that has been certified by the European Union and TÜV. Each participant wears a helmet and a full-body harness that is hooked to an overhead safety line at all times. The harness can support up to 200 kg.

There will be at least one instructor accompanying you throughout the course to provide guidance and assistance. These instructors are trained in both safety procedures and first aid.

There’s also a full-time medical team on standby. But as with any outdoor activity, there are risks involved, which is why you’ll need to sign an indemnity form before proceeding.

For safety reasons, participants must be taller than 100 cm, weigh less than 100 kg, and wear proper sports attire.

If you plan to bring an action camera or GoPro, make sure it’s securely strapped on. Phones are allowed as long as they’re kept in a secure pouch (the transparent, waterproof kind you wear around your neck).

What to expect at The Gravityz Penang

The KOMTAR building is easy enough to find. Most buses stop there, and you can practically see the tower from anywhere in Georgetown. However, finding The Gravityz itself was a bit tricky for me, probably because I went shortly after it launched, when not many people had heard of it.

If you’re having trouble, just ask how to get to the 6th floor, where the ticketing counter is located. Once there, show your booking confirmation. You’ll be given a wrist tag and an indemnity form to sign.

After that, a crew member will escort you to the 65th floor. You’ll be led into a room to watch a short video about KOMTAR — its history and development. Then the curtain is drawn, revealing a sweeping view of the city and the sea.

Next, you’ll head to the observation deck. There’s a glass-floored section where you can watch the city pass by 239 meters below your feet. Consider it a warm-up for what’s to come.

  

If you have friends who want to tag along but don’t wish to participate, they can still come up and watch from the observation deck by paying an entrance fee.

What happens if it rains

On the day of my scheduled session, I arrived at 5:30 PM, ready and excited. I was joined by a family of four from Singapore. Unfortunately, just as we were fully geared up, it started raining. Heavily.

There was no way they would let us proceed, even if we wanted to. We waited for 15 minutes, but the rain showed no sign of stopping. So we had to reschedule.

Since it was already the last session of the day (at the time they didn’t operate at night), the earliest available slot was the next day.

The Gravityz has a strict no-refund policy. If a session is canceled due to bad weather, you can either reschedule or forfeit your payment.

I was lucky to have a flexible schedule, but I’m not sure what happened to the Singaporean family. I heard they were flying home the next morning.

So if you’re planning to do this, don’t leave it until your last day in Penang.

The Gravityz ropes course

The next day, I returned for the 11 AM session. This time, I was grouped with another family of four from mainland Penang — a father and his three teenage kids. The mother opted out.

As a solo traveler, I’ve learned to accept that I’ll often be the third or fifth wheel in group activities. If I’m lucky, I meet other solo travelers. Otherwise, I end up crashing someone else’s family outing.

Thankfully, this family was cool with having me in their photos.

Included in the fee was a red T-shirt that we had to wear during the activity. With all of us dressed the same, we really did look like a team of window cleaners about to start our shift.

Before we began, one of the instructors gave us a safety briefing. We learned how to hook and unhook our harnesses to the saferoller, and what to do if the cables broke or the ledge collapsed under our weight.

Just kidding.

The mechanism is similar to ziplining, so if you’ve done that before, it’ll feel familiar.

There are six obstacles in total, along with a few emergency exits, also known as “chicken doors.” If at any point you feel like you can’t continue, you can chicken out, but you won’t be allowed to rejoin.

Obstacle #1: Confidence Path

The first obstacle is a narrow iron-grid walkway with handrails to ease you in. As you step onto the ledge, less than a meter wide, the first thing you’ll notice is the wind hitting you from all sides.

If you look down (don’t), you can see the city through the gaps beneath your feet. You’ll also feel vibrations whenever someone else moves.

If you really want to annoy your group, try jumping up and down.

Obstacle #2: High Bench

Next is a set of hexagonal high benches with varying heights and distances from the edge. Sit for a while, enjoy the view, catch your breath, and question your life choices.

Obstacle #3: The Great Bridge

Despite the name, the Great Bridge isn’t exactly great in size. It’s a narrow path made of metal hexagons with gaps between them, and no handrails.

We were told to walk sideways, facing outward toward the open sky.

How crazy is it that, on the ground, we could’ve easily woven our way through much narrower spaces, but up there, it felt like walking a tightrope?

Or rather, like a toddler who had just learned to balance on his feet.

Obstacle #4: X-Point

Obstacle #5: Z-Wire

This was the one I was most nervous about. I trust my legs more than I trust a thin cable.

The Z-Wire is probably the shortest zipline in the world, but also the highest. You’ll be suspended on a cable with nothing beneath you but a 239-meter drop.

Obstacle #6: G-Rocky

The final obstacle tests how much courage you’ve gained along the way.

First, there’s a reclining chair that tilts outward from the walkway. It was surprisingly comfortable for something designed to terrify you.

Then come two raised platforms where you’re encouraged to stand and pose.

It’s strange, really. These structures are built to scare you, and yet we willingly pay good money for the experience. What a crazy species we have become.

Finally, you’ll lean backward off the edge, abseiling-style, with only the harness keeping you in place. You can choose how far back you go. I chose the shortest option. No regrets.

Once everybody was done, we took one last group photo. I was glad to have met them. The father was the coolest — he came up with all sorts of silly and daring poses up there.

From the observation deck, people were watching and waving at this crazy bunch.

Final thoughts

Have you tried anything like this before? Share your experience in the comments below.