Penang Hill was the first colonial hill station developed in Peninsular Malaysia. Comprising Western Hill, Bukit Laksamana, Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill and Government Hill, it is located six km away from Georgetown. The hilly and forested area is the state's primary hill resort. Set 821m above Penang’s capital, islanders call it Bukit Bendera and it is generally about five degrees cooler than Georgetown. It is the last patch of tropical rainforest in Penang so the flora and fauna here have been protected since 1960. It does not have the same prominence as Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill or Cameron Highlands but it is one of Penang’s best-known tourist attractions due to its fresher climate.
Penang Hill History Penang Hill was discovered when soon after British settlement; Francis Light commissioned the area to be cleared to grow strawberries. Though it was never fully developed (it was difficult to carve out the forest area), it became a favourite expatriate refuge before the advent of air conditioning. Its oldest bungalow, Bel Retiro, is the holiday residence of the Governor of Penang. Today, the ridge on top of Penang Hill is known as Strawberry Hill.
PENANG Penang Hill Georgetown Attractions Hotels Flights Flight + Hotel Things To Do Penang Hill was the first colonial hill station developed in Peninsular Malaysia. Comprising Western Hill, Bukit Laksamana, Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill and Government Hill, it is located six km away from Georgetown. The hilly and forested area is the state's primary hill resort. Set 821m above Penang’s capital, islanders call it Bukit Bendera and it is generally about five degrees cooler than Georgetown. It is the last patch of tropical rainforest in Penang so the flora and fauna here have been protected since 1960. It does not have the same prominence as Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill or Cameron Highlands but it is one of Penang’s best-known tourist attractions due to its fresher climate. Interested in this tour? Book it here. Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour Duration 5h USD 72 per traveler Penang Hill History Penang Hill was discovered when soon after British settlement; Francis Light commissioned the area to be cleared to grow strawberries. Though it was never fully developed (it was difficult to carve out the forest area), it became a favourite expatriate refuge before the advent of air conditioning. Its oldest bungalow, Bel Retiro, is the holiday residence of the Governor of Penang. Today, the ridge on top of Penang Hill is known as Strawberry Hill. Views from The Top From the top of Penang Hill on a clear day you can see the mountains of Langkawi and north Kedah but it is the night time sight of lit-up Georgetown that is especially rewarding. Most people simply come to enjoy the cool, unpolluted air and walk under 30m-high trees along the nature trails. Additionally, over 100 species of birdlife, ranging from ordinary garden species to exotic deep forest inhabitants, call this hillside home. Two kilometres away from Bellevue Hotel is the Canopy Walk: this 220m walkway suspended between towering trees 30m above the dense jungle offers great views of the hillside. Opened in 2003, it was operational for a short time, and since then, due to its failure to attract sufficient customers, it has opened and closed without much...
Read morePenang Hill, locally known as Bukit Bendera, is a prominent hill station in Penang, Malaysia, offering visitors a blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and panoramic views. Standing at 833 meters above sea level, it provides a refreshing escape from the tropical heat and bustling city life.
Accessing Penang Hill
The primary means of ascending Penang Hill is via the Penang Hill Funicular Train, renowned as one of the steepest funicular systems globally. The journey offers scenic views and transports passengers from the base to the summit in approximately 4.5 minutes. Visitors have praised the experience, noting the efficiency and unique perspective it provides during the ascent.
Attractions and Activities
Upon reaching the summit, visitors can indulge in various attractions:
The Habitat Penang Hill: A standout eco-tourism site, The Habitat offers a pristine rainforest experience with canopy walks, nature trails, and diverse flora and fauna. It's an educational and immersive experience for nature enthusiasts.
Historical Sites: The hill houses several colonial-era bungalows and the iconic Penang Hill Railway, reflecting its historical significance as Southeast Asia's oldest British hill station.
Panoramic Views: The summit provides expansive views of George Town, the Penang Bridge, and, on clear days, parts of mainland Malaysia. These vistas are particularly enchanting during sunrise and sunset.
Guests often highlight the cooler climate at the summit, a pleasant respite from the lowland heat. The area is well-maintained, with clear signage and amenities to enhance the visitor experience. However, it's advisable to check weather conditions before planning a visit, as fog or rain can obscure the view.
Penang Hill seamlessly combines natural beauty, historical charm, and modern attractions, making it a must-visit destination for those traveling to Penang. Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or simply seeking a serene getaway, Penang Hill offers a...
Read moreThis is a cable station to go to Penang Hill. It's a very great place, nice ticketing and queuing system. You can buy the cheaper ticket through online apps like Klook or Traveloka, or you can buy it on the spot.
For you who want to visit Penang Hill (go to upper station), please and please give more attention to my advice: buy the FASTLANE (laluan ekspress) ticket. It will cost you MYR 80 (a little expensive) but you will be REALLY THANKFUL for buying it. If you buy the normal lane, the queuing people are crazy. It's a very long queu so that will make you waiting for 2 hours till you can reach the closest entry gate for the cable train. By buying the fastlane ticket, you'll be directed to get in without queuing. Just pass the queu. You'll walk through them like a boss.. hahahaha.. and when you arrive at entry gate, the staff will invite the fastlane ticket buyer first when the cable train arrives. Trust me, fastlane ticket will provide you comfort and fast process.
At the ticket counter, you may be confused by the queuing lane: which one would you take. Just get closer to the staff and ask where to get ticket. They would not permit you to queu if you come in group. Just appoint one person as your group representative to buy the tickets, or the staffs will be mad at you if you all go queuing.
If you plan to visit The Habitat, please note that the ticket would be much cheaper to buy at online apps, like Klook or Traveloka. So it's highly recommended to buy ticket online. They'll usually give you discounts up to 20-30%. I bought the ticket on the spot and compared to my friend's ticket (bought through Traveloka) then realized that his was so much cheaper. Oh God...
By the way, there are a lot of water fountains at the top. Don't forget to bring...
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