Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks on Penang Island, Malaysia. It is located in Air Itam, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of the city centre of George Town. Penang Hill is also known by the Malay name Bukit Bendera, which actually refers to Flagstaff Hill, the most developed peak. Penang Hill covers a number of hills, with the highest point at Western Hill which is 833 metres (2,733 ft) above sea level. The hill stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. It was used as a retreat during the British colonial period and is now a popular tourist destination in Penang.
The top of the hill is accessible via the Penang Hill Railway from its base station at Jalan Bukit Bendera, Air Itam. To date, this funicular railway system is the only one of its kind in Malaysia, transporting over a million visitors to the peak of Penang Hill as of 2014.
Penang Hill is mainly a hilly granitic mass. The hill system is higher towards the northern part with its highest point at Western Hill, at an elevation of 833 m (2,733 ft) above sea level. Other than Western Hill, there are a number of peaks in the region, such as Bukit Laksamana (Malay for Admiral Hill), Tiger Hill, Flagstaff Hill, Haliburton's Hill and Government Hill. Flagstaff Hill is 735 m (2,450 ft) above sea level. A number of small rivers and streams originate from the region. Sungai Pinang (Malay for Penang River) is the largest of the rivers, and it starts from a number of tributaries in the area.
Known as the first colonial hill station developed in Peninsular Malaysia, Penang Hill (also affectionately known as Bukit Bendara by the locals) has a long and vibrant history and is definitely a must-visit when in Penang. Set 821m above Georgetown, Penang Hill offers amazing views of the city from the top as well as a chilly climate that's about five degrees cooler than at the lowlands. Due to its breathtaking views, and cool, unpolluted air, it's a popular weekend hangout spot for locals and tourists alike!
The most popular and convenient way to get to Penang Hill is by riding the iconic Penang Hill Funicular Train! Located at the foot of Penang Hill, this Swiss-designed funicular runs on one of the oldest funicular systems in the world and will take you to the top past lush greenery. The funicular's tunnel track is also the steepest in the world and the longest track in Asia, adding to its uniqueness.
The journey takes only between 5 - 10 minutes, and it operates from as early as 630AM! Do note though that the lines can get pretty crazy during peak travel season and weekends, so we'd recommend you to visit early, or to allocate enough time in your itinerary just in case. There are also Fast Lane tickets available for those who'd like to skip the queue. Other ways to get to the top of Penang Hill include driving up a private road (only accessible to vehicles of hillside residents) or embarking on a challenging yet rewarding one-hour hike.
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