Ayer Itam Dam

Ayer Itam Dam

Ayer Itam Dam is the first dam to be built on Penang Island. It is located 700 feet above sea level in the water catchment area surrounded by Penang Hill and Paya Terubong. The Ayer Itam Dam was the first major engineering project to be undertaken by the City Council of George Town after the independence of Malaya. It cost M$15 million, and construction took place between 1958 and 1962. 50,000 cubic yards of concrete was used in the construction of the dam. The then Governor of Penang, Raja Tun Uda Al-Haj bin Raja Muhamad officially opened the dam on 8 December 1962.

Ayer Itam Dam is a favorite place for jogging. From the 800-feet crest of the dam, visitors can get a panoramic view of George Town spread out across the horizon below. A spillway allows excess water to be drained out. An indicator at the parking lot provides indication on the water level of the three dams in Penang, the Ayer Itam Dam, Teluk Bahang Dam and the Mengkuang Dam.

As a resident of Penang, I have visited the Ayer Itam Dam only several times in my life, each one separated by a few years. I remember once, when I was still in school, my friends and I did a walk round the dam. At one point, a snake fell from the tree almost on our path. That was the one and only time I walked around the dam.

Getting there

The best way to get to Ayer Itam Dam is by car. Joggers and hikers walk up to it as well. The journey should take roughly 45 minutes to an hour. The route to the dam passes by the car lot to Kek Lok Si as well as the upper road to Kek Lok Si's Kuan Yin Statue, Columbarium and the Temple of 1200 Steps. Rapid Penang Bus nos. 201, 203, 204, 206, 306 all go to Air Itam town.

Visiting Penang

If you're planning a trip to Penang, please go through the information I have assembled in Penang Travel Tips. You'd find there information covering all aspect about Penang, including accommodation, transport, food, shopping, places of interest and more. Everything you need to know Penang is right there at your finger tips!

Click for list of Penang Infrastructures

Ayer Itam Dam (11 October 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Ayer Itam Dam Location Map

Ayer Itam Dam (11 October 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Compare prices of Hotel Room Rates in Penang

Use this search engine to find the lowest price of hotel rooms from different Hotel Booking websites. You'd be glad to do your homework!

Find a hotel

New York City
Bangkok
Amsterdam

Guests:

Rooms:

Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.