Located in the state of Penang, the funicular railway climbs the Penang Hill from Air Itam, within the city of George Town. Thousand of travellers visiting Penang discover the Penang Hill which is 833 meters above sea level. The only way to reach the hill is by a funicular train ride or through the hiking trails.
This is one of the world’s oldest funicular railway systems and offers an overwhelming experience. The ride lasts for 15 minutes, and you’ll soon be witnessing scenic views of the surrounding areas. You can feel the cool fresh air at the summit and enjoy the scenery there. If you’re hungry, there’s even a place for a sumptuous meal, at David Brown’s Restaurant that offers great views of the George Town and Penang Bridge among other areas.
A great place to visit with your loved ones and family, Penang Hill is a hill resort and also known by the Malay name Bukit Bendera. The area covers a number of hills and is quite a popular attraction. The highest point is at Western Hill, and the other hills you can explore are Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill, Haliburton’s Hill and Government Hill. Once you’re at the summit, you’ll also notice small rivers and streams that originate from the region.
Here ‘s a short list of attractions I enjoyed while I was at Penang Hill
1. Breathtaking scenic views
With a total of 6 peaks, you can experience great panoramic views from all the hills. Penang Hill features the best lookouts of the Penang city, offering stunning views of the island and mainland. If you wish to catch a magnificent glimpse of the sunrise, you can take the first train up early in the morning. If you wish to linger around till evening, you can watch the mesmerising views of the city all lit up too. The last train is at 11 pm.
2. Nature
Besides the fantastic views, you can immerse yourself in the lush greenery along the many hiking trails. Flora and fauna are found in abundance all over the hill, and you can actually discover some of the area’s exotic plants such as Orchids, the Monkey Cup and more.
3. Love Lock
The privately-owned, love lock is located on the observation deck of the Bukit Bendera. It was launched on Valentine’s Day in 2014 and hosts the promises of eternal love for couples to symbolise affection with creatively-decorated padlocks. If you’re looking to profess your love, look no further than this place – Love Lock Penang Hill. It is open from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm.
There are more things to see at the Penang Hill such as Little Village, Owl Museum, Dinosaur & Aviary Garden, Photography Museum and so on. Do check them out if you plan to spend the entire day here.
Best time to visit: I recommend that you take the ride up in the early evening, so you can enjoy the spectacular views from the top which are better at dusk. The funicular train leaves the base station every 30 minutes daily.
Train operating hours: 6.30 am – 11.00 pm (Last train from the top)
Cost of tickets: Standard rates: Adult (RM 30, Fast Lane: RM 80); Children (RM 15, Fast Lane: RM 40)
