 Penang Hill
Railway track up Penang Hill (26 January, 2012)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Penang Hill is the oldest hill station in Malaysia. It comprises a hilly granite mass in the middle of Penang Island reaching an elevation of 833 meters (2723 ft) at Western Hill. Apart from Western Hill, the other peaks that form Penang Hill include Bukit Laksamana, Tiger Hill, Bukit Bendera and Bukit Kerajaan. Bukit Bendera, or Seng Kee Sua in Hokkien, is where the funicular railway station is located, is 735 m (2450 ft) above sea level. It was known as Flagstaff Hill by the British, because this was where the British flag used to be raised to signal that mail has come.
Update 21 Feb 2010: The Penang Hill Railway makes its final run today. Read more about it on the hill railway page.
The British-built Penang Hill Railway Station.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
It is said that Captain Francis Light was the first to plot a horse track up Penang Hill, way back in 1788. The route starts somewhere near the Botanical Gardens Waterfall. Penang Hill was first developed by the British to escape the tropical heat of the lowlands. During those early days, the lowlands were malaria infested, so Penang Hill was a choice for those seeking convalescence. Indeed a convalescent centre was built on Mount Hygeia for the officers of the British East India Company. It was cool, less humid, and most of all, free from malaria.
Very soon, the government departments were building hill bungalows for their senior officials. These are found mostly around Bukit Bendera. The northern part of Penang Hill is not well developed. Places such as Bukit Kerajaan and Bukit Timah are designated water catchment areas and so no development is permitted there.
View Penang Hill in a larger map
Bel Retiro, the retreat for the king and prime minister of Malaysia.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
During the colonial days, there was a form of segregation among the races. The most prestigious property was Bel Retiro, built in the 1800s as a resort for high govenment officials and visiting dignitaries. It was the favourite retreat of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agung and Tunku Abdul Rahman whenever they visit Penang. Building on the principle that proximity is next to greatness, the senior officers build their bungalows in proximity to Bel Retiro. During colonial time, no non-whites were allowed residences above the Viaduct station. Two locals whose properties came nearest the European boundaries were Khoo Sian Ewe and Chee War Lock, both Municipal Commissioners.
Just as it is fashionable today to own a luxurious condominium, during the early years of the 20th century, it was the in thing to own a bungalow on Penang Hill. Many of the properties owned by the Chinese were given decidedly Western names, for example Mon Sejour, Dolce Domum, Fairmont, Grace Dieu.
Bellevue Hotel is the only functioning hotel in Penang Hill today.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Hiking is a popular option to "conquer" Penang Hill. There is the 5 kilometer tarred road popularly called the "jeep track", which is open only to the vehicles of the hill residents. The most popular pit stops along this route are 52 and 84. Here, hikers can get refreshments prepared by volunteers.
There are numerous trails from the lowlands up Penang Hill. Among them are the ones from Moongate, another from inside the Botanical Gardens, yet another from the Air Itam Dam to Tiger Hill, one from Hye Keat Estate and another from the Youth Park.
A monkey cup at Monkey Cup Garden, Penang Hill (26 January, 2012)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Getting there
There are three ways to go up Penang Hill: by the funicular train, by jeep and by hiking. To take the train, get details on the Penang Hill Railway
Sights on Penang Hill
The following are some of the places you can explore in Penang Hill, arranged in alphabetical order.
- Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel
Only functioning hotel on Penang Hill
- Crag Hotel
Famous hotel established by the Sarkies Brothers, now in disuse.
- Monkey Cup Garden
A specialty garden exhibiting over a hundred species of Nepenthes.
- Penang Hill Canopy Walk
Abandoned walkway suspended among the trees.
- Penang Hill Hindu Temple
Temple to Lord Murugan, officially known as the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple.
- Penang Hill Mosque
Local mosque for the Muslim community on Penang Hill.
- Penang Hill Railway
Hill train taking visitors up the hill.
- Strawberry Hill / David Brown's Cottage
Hillock near the Penang Hill Railway, where plantation owner David Brown built a cottage.
Bungalows on Penang Hill
- Bel Retiro
The most prestigious property on Penang Hill
- Convalescent Bungalow
One of the oldest rest houses on Penang Hill.
- Moy Craig
One of the most beautiful bungalows on Penang Hill.
- Richmond
Rest house belonging to the Municipal Council of Penang Island.
- The Great Wall
Hill retreat on Penang Hill built by Khoo Sian Ewe.
The dreamy feel at Penang Hill just before a heavy downpour.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The funicular railway line up Penang Hill.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Bungalows that used to belong to senior government officers.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Moy Craig, also called Raj Bhavan Bungalow.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The Penang Hill Mosque is located at the Summit.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The Penang Hill Hindu Temple.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Wind vane on the roof of cottage called Through. It has since been renamed Kopah Villa, and now, Bukit Pinang.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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