Penang Hill
Location Map
The Great Wall is the name of the hill retreat built by early 20th century Penang tycoon and Municipal Commissioner, Khoo Sian Ewe. It was built in 1933 in the Art Deco style which was in fashion during that time. The home was named after the great retaining wall that skirts the property. At the time of its construction, The Great Wall was one of the highest properties on Penang Hill to be built by a non-European.
Getting there
At time of writing (September 2008) the Penang Hill funicular train is again out of operation. Until the hill train is in operation again, the only two ways to reach The Great Wall is by either jeep or by hiking.
What to see and do
The Great Wall is in private hands. One can only watch it from the Penang Hill funicular train as it pulls up into the Viaduct station.
Nearby Sights
The following are some of the places you can explore in Penang Hill, arranged in alphabetical order.
Bel Retiro: The most prestigious property on Penang Hill
Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel: Only functioning hotel on Penang Hill
Convalescent Bungalow: One of the oldest rest houses on Penang Hill
Penang Hill Canopy Walk: Abandoned walkway suspended among the trees
Penang Hill Hindu Temple: Temple to Lord Murugan
Penang Hill Mosque: Local mosque for the Muslim community on Penang Hill
Penang Hill Railway: Hill train taking visitors up the hill
Richmond: Rest house belonging to the Municipal Council of Penang Island
Strawberry Hill / David Brown's Cottage: Hillock near the Penang Hill Railway, where plantation owner David Brown built a cottage
The Great Wall: Hill retreat on Penang Hill built by Khoo Sian Ewe
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
The Great Wall (5 March 2005)
Another view of The Great Wall (5 March 2005)
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