Visitors have plenty to see and experience at Penang Hill.
Breathtaking views of the island, channel, and mainland can be seen from various vantage points like the 360° Skywalk and the East and West Skydecks.
Visitors can also discover natural attractions at The Habitat Penang Hill, Monkey Cup Garden, or hire a guide to venture into less-traveled paths.
Landmarks with historical and cultural significance such as the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple, Penang Hill Mosque, Gatehouse Bel Retiro, Hillside Retreat, and the 32-Pounder Cannon are also worth visiting.
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Families will enjoy Little Village and the Toy Museum 5D. Alternatively, delicious snacks can be found at places such as David Brown’s Restaurant and Tea Terrace or Kota Railway Café.
The Edgecliff Gallery@Penang Hill – which serves as the primary information and educational hub atop the hill since opening in 2022 – is definitely worthy of a visit.
Situated on the hillslope mere moments away from the Upper Station, it was collaboratively established by Penang Hill Corporation and the state government and features five interactive galleries.
Every segment — including the Time Tunnel, Biodiversity, Heritage, Funicular, and Cultural zones — tells various stories about the hill’s past, growth, and fascination.
Mazlina Mohamad Zainal, who serves as operations manager, mentioned that these experiences will guide guests of every age through an intricately curated exploration of deeply woven narratives.
By examining archival photos, historical artifacts, and educational exhibits, visitors can gain insight into the hill's evolution and importance throughout history.
"One of the main attractions is the comprehensive story about the funicular railway system, which has been the hallmark transportation method up the hill for more than 100 years," Mazlina said.
From the roof of this colonial-era structure, constructed in 1937 by Scotsman JC Miller following an Art Deco design philosophy, visitors can enjoy expansive vistas; the edifice is titled "Breaside."
Now brought back to life, Breaside provides a palpable connection to the hill's history.
The Penang Hill Corporation managing director, Datuk Cheok Lay Leng, mentioned that the previous Astaka Bukit Bendera food court is undergoing redevelopment into a new multilevel facility. This upcoming development will offer enhanced dining options along with better access for visitors.
Upon completion, this project will almost double the restaurant seating capacity, raise comfort levels to meet global standards, and provide easy access to and from Dataran Bukit Bendera.
"This initiative will also help showcase Penang’s famous street food scene up on the hill," Cheok commented about the project, which falls under the Penang Hill Summit Area Concept Master Plan and encompasses upcoming improvements to the surrounding areas like Strawberry Valley.
The renovated Upper Station, which resumed operations last February, features an attractive waiting area, enhanced amenities, and superior accessibility.
During peak times, both visitor movement and comfort levels have notably enhanced.
Data for ridesharing indicates an optimistic rise, recording over 1.8 million trips taken last year.
"As of the previous May, the total number of riders reached 800,000," Cheok stated, mentioning further that each coach can hold up to 100 people per journey, translating to roughly 400 to 500 individuals every hour.
By early 2027, an alternate pathway to the peak will be available through the Penang Hill Cable Car, with construction advancing as planned.
This project is among the state's most looked-forward-to initiatives, aiming to manage tourist flow effectively while alleviating longstanding traffic problems around the Penang Botanic Gardens. Additionally, it seeks to improve the surroundings through enhanced landscaping and more green areas.
"These anticipated improvements will substantially contribute to the state’s tourism industry and provide socioeconomic advantages for locals," Cheok noted.
Please be aware that the Penang Hill funicular service and Edgecliff Gallery @Penang Hill will remain closed until June 22.
The funicular service along with the gallery will restart operations on June 23.
Throughout the closure timeframe, guests can choose either the private four-wheel-drive services provided by the Penang Hill Jeep Service Association (contact: 012-454 1255) located at Jalan Kebun Bunga, or they might take one of the available hiking trails to ascend to the peak region of Penang Hill. By JEREMY TAN