Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera), Penang

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Penang Hill provides a very stunning and breath taking view of the Penang Bridge and the surrounding area, although the morning view of the bridge may be covered by fog and/or clouds. At night, enjoy the view of the lighted bridge and the buildings around the bridge.

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This is a definate 'must see' when visiting Penang.

The ride up the hill in the train was a bit scary because it travels up at about 90 degrees but once up the top, the views are stunning!

Hubby and I had a wander around, I got asked by some nice young Asian ladies for my pic with them which was nice :o) and then we sat down at the bar overlooking Penang and the mainland for a chilled Tiger and a play with our cameras. Check out my pix.

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Penang hill is also called Bukit Bendera mean Flagstaff Hill in Malay. Historically, this hill was discovered by Francis Light during his horse track in around 1788. He plotted the hill and started to build bungalows for private use of the British Colonials during 19th Century. The British colonials were liking the hill due to the cooler temperature comparing to the lowland. The former sheriff of Penang, William Halliburton, was staying in a bungalow, Bellevue, now called The Penang Hill Hotel.

Today, Penang Hill is one of the famous attractions in Penang with stunning views of the city on a clear day. When I reached the top, I could feel the cooler temperature with misty air. I enjoyed the green trees and birds on the hill. Then, I visited an Indian Temple ( Thirumurugan Temple) , and ginger garden. Penang Hill Hotel is further up the hill and great place to have high tea with great views.

If you are a natural lover , there are several nature trails for you to discover more plants, trees, birds, and wildlife.

It is located 6KM north of the City. Take bus 204 from Jetty Raja Tun Uda Bus Station, catch a Penang Hill Railway to the top.

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After My first visit to Penang Hill, the service was suspended for sometimes to install new funicular train with air-conditioned and can ferry up to 100 passengers and is capable of making a one-way trip within five minutes without a change of train.

The previous 87-year-old system, passengers had to change trains at the middle station for a 30-minute one-way trip. Hmmm...I would still preferred the old train where you have time to see the beautiful surrounding on the way up and down Penang Hill. Its just my opinion.

Thanks to Suhardy for the Penang Hill pictures.

Cable Car’s Fare :-
Operating Hour:
Weekday: 6.30a.m – 8.00p.m (last train from top station)
Weekend: 6.30a.m – 10.00p.m (last train from top station)

For Malaysian
Adult RM 8 per adult
Children RM 4 (age 7-12) per child
Senior Citizen RM 4 per person
Montly Pass RM 24 (for resident on the hill)
Disabled Person Free (with OKU card)
For Foreign Tourists
Adult RM 30 per adult
Children RM 15 (age 7-12) per child

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I was here in 2009 with my younger sister and her friend from Boston. My first time to Penang Hill (also known as Bukit Bendera in Malay language), I was so excited to sit on the tram to Penang Hill, but end up raining cats and dogs, I didn't bring any umbrella. So what can we do, just walked around the station, take a few pictures and go down hill..What a a memorable trip to Penang Hill.. Thats the first and last I visited Penang Hill..

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Penang Hill lies about 5km west of the George Towns city centre and makes for a fun afternoon outing especially when combined with a trip to the nearby Kek Lok Si Temple. Running up the 821-metre high hill is a funicular railway which was built by the British between 1906 and 1923 at a cost of 1.5 million Straits Dollars, so that the British officers could journey up the hill for convalescence or simply to relax and enjoy the cooler air.

Penang Hill is the oldest hill station in Malaysia when Captain Francis Light was the first to plot a horse track up way back in 1788. 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 government officials and visiting dignitaries. 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. Today, it's home to a colourful Hindu Temple, mosque, colonial buildings, and a hotel.

Bel Retiro is a government bungalow on Penang Hill that was built in 1789 for the governor of Penang, and remains within the exclusive use of the government. It is the most prestigious property on Penang Hill, built as a resort for high government officials and visiting dignitaries. It was the favourite retreat of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agung and Tunku Abdul Rahman whenever they visited Penang. Senior government officers built their bungalows close to Bel Retiro, on the principle of closeness is next to greatness. Although the bungalow itself is out-of-bounds to the general public, one can hike up to its gate, a beautiful brick structure with an arched entranceway.

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Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple, or better known as the Penang Hill Hindu Temple, is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang. It started off in the 1800's as a small shrine to the Hindu deity Murugan - the deity associated with Thaipusam - by the Indian sepoys and sedan chair carriers, and is located at the summit within Penang Hill called Gun Hill. A trident, or Murugan Vel, was installed there by the devotees. Over the years, it was enlarged and rebuilt. The present-day incarnation of the temple is a very ornate Hindu temple in the Dravidian architectural style of South India.

Penang Hill Mosque, or Masjid Bukit Bendera, is the only mosque on Penang Hill. Erected in 1966 for the use of Muslims living and working on the hill, the mosque is located a short distance from the Penang Hill Hindu Temple.

This is a 32 pound cannon weighing 2.75 tons. It can fire a 32 pound ball propelled at around 1600ft per second. Usually situated at the lower gun deck, with its muzzle some 2 metres above the water-line, it can reach a target range of approx 1,000 feet. It is made of bronze and was used in the 18th and 19th centuries.