Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera), Penang

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It is the first time I visit Penang Hill. My son told me that he wants to go for a cable car ride. So, decided to bring my mum, sister and daughter for an exercise in the morning.
The view from top of the hill was great. I could see the Georgetown and Penang Bridge. Took a few pictures and came to a small cafe for breakfast.

We took a taxi to the bottom of Penang hill and then took the rather scary looking funicular rail train up the hill! It is a very interesting steep ride and the view from the top of the hill is amazing.

It is much cooler ascending the hill. At the top there is perfect photo taking opportunities, refreshments and some cheap sourvenior places.

Another highlight is Kek Lok Si, Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple perched against a hill slope in Air Itam. Marvel at the statue of the Goddess of Mercy and the 30 metre high Pagoda. See the "Pond of Longevity" home for hundreds of tortoises set free by devotees.

You can even take a photo with a snake!

Wandering around the gardens was just as much fun as all of the above.

I noticed a nice restaurant up on the hill as well called the Colonial Penang Hill. It looked very nice though we didnt have time to do in.

Since the funicular train was decommissioned (as far as the general public is concerned), the only way up to Penang Hill is on foot or by car. If you choose to go on foot, it is a picturesque albeit tiring hike from one of the numerous trails originating around the Youth Park/Botanical Gardens area. The best option if hiking is not your thing, is to take an SUV from the Botanical Gardens. This will take you up via the Jeep Road. It won't come cheap though. I paid RM90 for 3 in an SUV for a return trip, although I suspect it could have been cheaper. Also, since you pay for the SUV, if you had more in your group, you would save a bit. I reckon you could fit 3-4, maybe 5 in one of those Perodua Kembaras. Wasn't too happy about paying that price until the driver, a Penang Hill resident, took it upon himself to give us a guided tour of the area. As a regular visitor in my 5 years here, I was rather surprised at the things I didn't know about the place (of course, the local's accessibility to some otherwise restricted areas made that possible). We were given one and a half hours up there before being driven down. Apparently, you also get a discount of about RM20 on your ride if you patronise either the Bellevue Hotel (not too friendly cafe) or the David Brown's cottage thing. This was something I found out a bit too late, while I was half way through tea at the latter.

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Also known as Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill is the highest peak on Pulau Pinang. At 830m above sea level, it is one of the best places to catch a bird's eye view of the island's expanse, including the panorama of George Town, the Penang Bridge and the Straits of Melaka.

One of the peaks on Penang Hill called Flagstaff Hill, is accessible via a healthy hike up via several hiking trails, including one from the Penang Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, visitors may also opt for a more leisurely trip up via the Penang Hill Railway which stretches just over 2km long and departs from the station at Air Itam, a mere 10 minutes' walk from the Kek Lok Si Temple. The 30-minute ride on the funicular railway takes place every 30 minutes and makes its way up a thrilling, at times near-45 degrees angle, with spectacular vistas along the way before reaching the top hill station at 701m above sea level.

From Georgetown, take a Transit Link bus No 1, or No 101, or Lim Seng bus No 91, or minibus No 21 from Lebuh Chulia to the Air Itam Terminal.

Penang Hills - Opens 7 days a week
Funicular Train service - Going up, 6:30am to 9:30pm. Saturday extend until
11:30pm
Going down, 6:45am to 9:15pm. Saturday extend until 11:15pm
Bellevue Bird Park - Opens seven days a week, 9am to 6pm

Admission
Funicular Train - RM4 per trip
Bellevue Hotel Bird Park - RM4 (Adult), RM2 (Children)
Taxi from George Town about RM20, from Batu Feringghi about RM30 - to the foot
hill only. To get on top of the hill by 4WD vehicle.

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Penang Hill is one of the most popular tourist destinations. I have been there umpteen times and still always find it a great get-away.

There are no cars up there. The entire George Town is 800 meters below your feet.

The most popular and recommended way for tourists is to take the funicular train. There is a waiting time and so plan ahead.

The second way which used by local hikers is the trail of "Moon Gate" or "84" from Botanical Gardens or the steeper route from Heng Teik Estate of Air Itam or even the most adventurous route from Air Itam Dam.

The third way is by jeep from the Botanical Gardens but this is reserved for hill top residents and for emergency situations.

During school holidays and weekends, the funicular train can be very crowded with long queues. Often tickets are sold out.

Now same day ticket can be bought in advance and you can just come back at your assigned time. You can come down at any time but factor 30 minutes to an hour wait.

Round trip ticket at RM4 for an adult is a steal.

Up at the top, you have excellent views of George Town, Penang Bridge and the mainland across the channel. Worth having coffee or tea at the Bellevue Hotel for an outstanding panaromic view. It is cool and can be chilly and windy at night especially after a rain. Night view when the lights are out is spectacular. So if you want to see that, plan to stay up until 8pm.

The funicular train is a two levels system. Each level has two tram coaches linked by a cable and pulley. The tram coaches will pass each other at a junction. This is a great time to take a photo. There is a "Middle Station" where passengers alight and transfer to the other level system. Usually, passengers will rush to the next coach to get a seat. Safety comes first especially with younger children and seniors. So be prepared to stand all the way up.

Train arrives every 15 minutes. Total of 30 minutes to get to the top of the Penang Hill. The waiting time can be up 2 hours on crowded days. Visit to Penang Hill a must if you have time.

Visiting Penang Hill is a must for everyone visiting Penang. To avoid crowds, I went up there recently in the evening. The night view of Penang is stunning! Round trip ticket costs RM4 per adult. It was worth it!!

The historical funicular train ride takes 30 minutes to the top of the hill (not counting waiting time). Passengers have to change to another train half way up. Train service starts from 6a.m. Last train coming down from the top leaves at 9:15pm (11:15pm on Saturdays).

On Penang Hill, you can find a hotels, a tea house, a garden, an indian temple, a mosque, some bird cages, and souvenir stores.

There is a Mini Meseum next to the ticket counter on the foot of Penang Hill. It's worth a visit if you have time. There are some interesting photos of the early days on display. However, some other objects on display are not labeled.

Going up this hill was the worst thing we did in Penang. After arriving by taxi, you have to wait the best part of half an hour to get in the funicular railway, and then it takes two stops and absolutely ages to get to the top. You will be packed like sardines, standing with a whole lot of smelly orientals and screaming kids until you get the top, and then it's the same going down. It will take you at least an hour to go up and an hour to go down. The views are OK but believe me it isn't worth it. If you must go, take a taxi up instead.