Penang Hill

The local well known Penang Hill is located within the area called Air Itam which is 6km away from the city. Situated about 823 meters (2750 feet) above sea level, this oldest hill resort and the first in Malaysia has cool, unpolluted air and historical feature. It's original name was Flagstaff Hill known by the British, back in the old days of Penang , when a flag fluttering from a flagpole at Bel Retiro, the home of the Governor of Penang at that time, was used as a signal transmitter.

 

Besides taxi, tourists now can take the Penang Hop-On Hop-Off bus with the city route to Penang Hill.

 

Penang Hill is one of the oldest colonial hill station established by the British during their time in Malaysia. Explored in the late 18th century, a horse trail was cut by the Waterfall Gardens (present day Penang Botanic Gardens) to the summit of the hilly spine of Penang, allowing the British to escape from the chaos of George Town to the cooler climate on the hill. 

  

From the foot of the hill, one can see the slanting railway up to the hill.

That's the map of Penang Hill. I have marked with hashtag for those places I visited.

 

For disabled person, they will be free of charged for the ticket fee nevertheless they must show their OKU card upon entry.

 

 

 

Penang Hill comprises several hills including Strawberry Hill, Halliburton’s Hill, Flagstaff Hill, Government Hill , Tiger Hill,and Western Hill. The highest point of this range is at Western Hill, with an elevation of 833m (2,723ft )above sea level. The range also serves as the largest water catchment area on the island, and a number of tributaries to major rivers in Penang.

I have not been here for a number of years. A lot of things have changed.  The addition of the Lover Bridge does surprises me!Don't you find this love note cute?

The earliest mode of transport to the hill was via horses, or a system called ‘doolies’, where masters were carried up the hill on special sedan chairs. To further explore the potential of the hill, systems of bridle paths were cut by Indian penal servitude prisoners for the establishment of more bungalows on the hill.

The first generation of the train is displayed at the pavillion of Penang Hill

The Penang Hill Funicular Railway was the second mode of transport established for access to the summit. The first railway was constructed in 1901 and completed in 1905 but was rendered useless, due to technical faults. A second railway was commissioned in 1909, and works for the second line started in 1914 with a budget of 1.5 million Straits Dollars. On 1st January 1924, the 2,007m long funicular railway was officially opened by then Governor of Straits Settlement, Sir L.N.Guillemard. The last upgrade was in 1977, before a complete overhaul of the system in 2010.

 

In case you are tired of walking, you can still get a buggy ride which cost RM30 (25 mins) -RM60 (45 mins) depends on the route.

 

 

Haliburton Hill is named after the former sheriff of Penang and its first owner, William Halliburton. The hill is a site of bungalow, Bellevue, now called The Penang Hill Hotel. The house was probably the one of the first permanent stone buildings to be erected on Penang Hill.  

 

 

  

Since it became hotel some years ago, a double storey frontage has been added as well as a fascinating garden and a aviary full of exotic birds.

 

Penang Hill stands prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. Some places you could visit at Penang Hill includes the mosque and Murugan temple as well as Guard House.  

Murugan tenple

Mosque

Guard House

I'm not sure what is the Guard House for as no signboard explaining that or even any website description is found. Public can only take pictures outside since no entry is allowed. A bit disappointed for a curious babe like me...

 

How To Get There

info@penanghill.gov.my 604-8288880, 604-8288839, 604-8288861 604-8288862 http://www.penanghill.gov.my