Penang Hill, Peak of the Pearl

"You've never been to Penang unless you've been to Penang Hill" - the tagline of Penang Hill. 

We saw this signboard when we passed through the entrance on the top of the Penang Hill. 

This was my family weekend getaway after Guangzhou. This trip took place somewhere in December 2013, end of the year. Initially, the plan was to venture this island backpacking style. But since, my parents were available during that weekend, i changed the plan. So, 3 of us, drive to Penang on Friday night. 

Penang Hill was our 1st stop on the 2nd day, Saturday.

It was a school holiday. so, quite crowded. Need to spent about 20 - 30 minutes queuing. And some auntie being so grumpy while queuing excusing me for jumped the queue. grrrrrr

Only 2 counters opened

 Ticket Fare

Above and below are the pics of the ticket

return ticket. ma and pa got half price, senior citizen already

The entrance. 

Based on my reading through website, the Penang Hill was being managed by Penang Hill Corporation and just being re-opened after major upgrading. 

Historic photos display along the queuing area heading to the train

telephone booth ala London style

Early transportation before the train to carry the British officer. 

The new Swiss train that was replacing the old one. You should take this ride. It's fast, smooth and safe. Took us about less than 15 minutes, one way.

View from the top. 

The hill offers beautiful panorama to the visitors. with an elevation of more than 2,000ft above sea level, it offers the best panaroma of Georgetown and other cities on the eastern coast of the Penang Island. We enjoyed the view of the 1st bridge mixed with the nature (for the time being). I think the island between 1st and 2nd bridge is the Jerejak Island.

The Cliff Cafe. 

Since, i didnt have my breakfast at the hotel due to some reason which i will outline in my next post at hotel review, we took a break and had a brunch here. 

Extracted from PenangHill website

"The Cliff Cafe is a new replacement for the old food court building on Penang Hill. 25 stalls located on two levels offer a variety of local food, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs to visitors. The stalls are operated by long-time residents of Penang Hill. Set on a lush green slope near the top of Penang Hill, the Cliff Cafe accommodates over 200 pax seating in naturally-ventilated comfort and operates from 9am to 6pm daily, with extended operating hours on special occasions."

3 tiers of steel and timber complex which includes the cafe, souvenir shops and the Owl Museum 

Visitors with bikes can park their bike at ease

The Old Train

The temporary exhibition

To satisfy our buds and our curiosity about Penang food, we decided to have different meals each and from different cafe. Above, mine. The Laksa. Verdict. Awful. Sold by one uncle from the stall at the end of the row. Price: RM4.00 per bowl 

My mom's. Better than mine. Sold by auntie and sista, the stall/cafe is located in the centre and can easily seen. Price: RM4.00 without egg. Add 50 sen for half-size boiled egg.

My dad had this keow teow. Not a bad choice. 

We discovered that at the bottom tier, plenty of local desserts and drinks were offered here. We chose ABC Special and hot drinks. 

Kak Nor cafe. The only Malay/Muslim stall here. 

Taste so-so, so should opt for Mango Ice dessert. 

If you notice, the Laksa stall at the left corner of the pic. Bought mine from there. 

Penang Laksa Stall. This one is better than the previous one.

Keow Teo Stall under the name Mee Kung Fu. 

The only post office on the top of the hill. I can't find the old post box accept the one as below. But i dont think this is the famous one. 

A lil bit climb to the peak of the hill. Located here are the mosque, temple, guard house and a play ground.

View from the peak

Another places of interest to be explored are Halliburton Hill which resides the Crag Hotel but what i found there is Bellevue Hotel not Crag hotel. Halliburton was named after the first sheriff of Penang Hill

Bellevue Hotel 

Ginger Garden and Aviary Penang Hill

The famous Penang Hil Mix Kacang/Nuts.

Didnt bother to try. must be nice. 

Another attraction, the henna shop

independent artist offered portraits drawing service 

David Browns' @ Strawberry Hill. 

For exclusive and more cosy dining, Penang Hill has this classy cafe to offer. Didn't get a chance to try this since we just had our Laksa at the Cliff Cafe. 

Extracted from the Penang Hill website

The Cliff Cafe is a new replacement for the old food court building on Penang Hill. 25 stalls located on two levels offer a variety of local food, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs to visitors. The stalls are operated by long-time residents of Penang Hill. Set on a lush green slope near the top of Penang Hill, the Cliff Cafe accommodates over 200 pax seating in naturally-ventilated comfort and operates from 9am to 6pm daily, with extended operating hours on special occasions.

View from the train. 

Wohoo.. everybody was so excited. the rail looks new and well maintain. For more adrenaline rush feeling, opt for front cabin seats. U might get some info if you overheard or eavesdropping other visitors' conversation. Some visitors getting to the top via the Botanic Garden where they hiking up to the top of the hill and later buy ticket to go down. 

Some fast fact about Penang Hill

• The highest peak of Penang Hill at 833 metres above sea level
• The funicular track stretches a distance of 1,996 meters  from lower to upper station which is the longest in Asia
• Penang Hill funicular tunner at 258 feet long and 10 feet wide with a steepness of 27.9 degree, is the steepest tunnel track in the world.
• Penang Hill is the oldest British Hill station in Southeast Asia, dated late 1700's.
• Penang Hill funicular train service started in Oct 1923.
• The current funicular train is the 4th generation system which started its operation on 24 April 2011.
• There is a total of 44 bungalows located on Penang Hill. Half of them are more than 100 years old built by the British as early as 1803.

Info:

How to Get Here

website: Penang Hill Website

FB: mypenanghill