Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

Most commonly accessed via a funicular train climbing the world’s steepest tunnel track, Penang Hill is a popular place for locals and tourists alike to escape the heat with temperatures usually 5°C lower than Georgetown below. 

Look Around

Map of Penang Hill

SkyWalk elevated lookout platform near Upper Station

View of Georgetown and the mainland

Binoculars on Skydeck

Part of Little Village

Around Penang Hill

Swing in front of The Owl Museum

Love Lock promenade

Tropical gardens

It's on a sign so it must be true

Natural Walk Trail 1

Sign along walkway

Serene sense of remoteness away from the Upper Station

Steps on Bypath B

Signage

Natural Walk Trail 2

Who Will Like Penang Hill

Nature Lover

Trek your way through the rainforest in search of rare residents like the Dusky Leaf Monkey and the Black Giant Squirrel. For an extra fee, visit the Monkey Cup Garden to stroll among beautiful orchids or walk among the leaves at The Habitat treetop walk.

Culture Buff

Uncover the British colonial era with bungalows dating back to 1803, a 32-pound cannon, and the Bel Retiro Gate House built in 1789 for the governor of Penang. See Malaysia’s cultural diversity at the Islamic Mosque and Hindu temple. 

Bucketlist Bandit

Jump aboard the funicular to ride through the world’s steepest tunnel track. Join the crowds admiring the views before relaxing at the bar with your favorite drink.

Photography Whiz

Capture a panorama of the sun setting over Penang's coastline reaching to the Malacca Straight to the west and Georgetown to the east.

Insider Tips For Penang Hill

Ticket office at Lower Station

Digital sign board for next funicular departure

Inside the funicular

Upper Station

Getting funicular tickets

• To avoid crowds and excruciatingly-long funicular queues, visit early in the morning and avoid weekends and public holidays.
• If there’s a large funicular queue, opt for Fast Lane Tickets (Adult: RM80 (USD$17.18), Child: RM40 ($8.59)) for priority access. 
• Buy tickets online to avoid queuing for tickets as well as the funicular.
• Most visitors tend to swarm around attractions closest to the Upper funicular station. Wander further for a taste of the tranquil rainforest. 
• The best time to see wildlife is in the mid-morning and late afternoon.
• Extend your visit by booking a room at the Belleview Hotel or Hickory Penang Hill.
• If you’re not up for walking, hire a golf buggy (RM10 (USD$2.15)) and be driven between the hill's main attractions. 
• If you’re fit enough to walk, take the hiking trail up to Penang Hill from Penang Botanical Gardens and avoid paying the funicular fee. Entrance to Penang Hill is actually free, only the funicular ride is charged. 
   

Video

How To Get There

Tech & Photography

Food & Drink

Inside Sky Bar

Passionfruit drink

Sky Bar on Strawberry Hill

Food and drink prices at Penanag Hill's restaurants are relatively expensive. Consider bringing your own snacks or picnic lunch if you're on a budget. Restaurant options:

• David Brown’s Restaurant - British colonial style restaurant located on Strawberry Hill.
• Astaka Cliff Café - Three story food court with many food and drink options.
• Sky Bar - Rooftop restaurant with pub-style food, cold beer, and mixed drinks.

Backstory

Founded as a British colonial retreat during the 1700s now a display of cultural diversity with British colonial bungalows, a Hindu temple, and an Islamic mosque. 

The plan to reach Penang hill by funicular started in 1905 when construction on the first funicular track commenced. Due to design flaws, this track was never commissioned and a new funicular was constructed in 1925 with several upgrades taking place from 1977. The current funicular, able to reach the top in 5 minutes, was overhauled in 2010. 

Penang Hill is now a popular retreat for locals and tourists alike, and the hilltop area has blossomed into a multifunction attraction with something for everyone.

Etiquette

Scorecard

What's Nearby In Penang

More...

1.07 kms (1,171 yards)

ReligiousFreeKek Lok Si Temple

One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia and the center of Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang, Kek Lok Si temple is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. The complex contains several buildings and courtyards worth exploring, the most significant being a 36.5-metre (120 feet) high statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, and 7-story pagoda housing 10,000 Buddha statues. Open hours extend during Chinese New Year, when visitors can view the temple adorned with over 200,000 fairy lights and 20,000 Chinese lanterns.

Go

More...

3.57 kms (2.23 miles)

GardenFreePenang Botanic Gardens

A garden oasis offering a serene slice of Penang's natural habitat fused with imported plant species in landscaped gardens. Prominent features include Pinang palms (from which Penang island received its name), a cannonball tree, an orchid garden, fern house, cactus house, lily pond, Japanese garden, and herb garden.

Go

More...

6.43 kms (4.02 miles)

Modern HistoryFreeGeorge Town UNESCO Heritage Site

A fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British Colonial architectural styles resulting in an unconventional yet charming urban formation. George Town's rich cultural diversity saw it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Most recently, a dynamic street art scene has burst into George Town. Some wall murals, like Ernest Zacharevic’s "Boy on Chair", provide interactive settings for visitors to become part of the picture and pose beside painted characters.

Go

More...

6.90 kms (4.31 miles)

WaterfrontFreeWeld Quay Clan Jetties

A series of wooden jetties like fingers reaching into the sea. Lined with modest houses, shops, and cafes, the stilted villages provide a glimpse into Penang's Chinese community of yesteryear. Each 100-year-old jetty belongs to a Chinese family or "clan" who originally moved to Penang to construct Weld Quay, a large port required tor the island’s booming economy.

Go

More...

4.83 kms (3.02 miles)

Design your own Magnum$$$$$Magnum

Decedent Magnum ice-creams are more heavenly then ever at the Magnum store located within Gurney Paragon Mall. Browse through the Magnum menu to choose your favorite flavor and toppings, then watch as staff skilfully deck out your ice-cream, creating a work of art that almost looks too good to eat.

Go

More...

5.49 kms (3.43 miles)

Seaside food court$$$$$Northam Beach Café

Modern and stylish hawkers' market providing the perfect spot to indulge on Asian street cuisine as you watch the sun softly set behind rows of fishing boats. Over 40 food stalls and a central drink vendor share dozens of numbered tables. Diners give their table number when ordering meals and watch in delight as a bargain-priced feast is delivered to their table.

Go

More...

6.66 kms (4.16 miles)

Mexican classics & cocktails$$$$$Holy Guacamole

Put a Mexican spin on your night out at Holy Guacamole, located on Penang's nightlife hub, Love Lane. Fill up on Tex-Mex staples like nachos, burritos, tacos, and fajitas, paired with a perfectly mixed pitcher of margaritas or sangria.

Go

More...

8.01 kms (5.01 miles)

Hawker Food Bliss$$$$$Long Beach Café

A popular hawkers market located in beachfront district Batu Ferringhi, away from the hustle and bustle of George Town. Long Beach Café offers over a dozen flavor-packed meals that won’t break the bank. Noodle dishes like laksa and mie goreng abound, while other options include Indian curries, Thai classics like pad Thai, satay sticks, kebabs, and even pizza and pasta.

Go