Penang Hill: A Funicular Ride Above George Town

Penang Hill, or Bukit Bendera, is a forested ridge that rises 833 meters above George Town and has served as a cool retreat since the British established a hill station here in the 19th century. The temperature at the top is noticeably lower than in the humid lowlands, the air is fresher, and on a clear day the view stretches across the old town, the straits and the long Penang Bridge to the mainland. It is the single best place to understand the island's geography.

Most visitors ride the Penang Hill Railway, a funicular that climbs the slope in about five minutes and replaced older systems in 2011. At the top, you will find a viewing deck, a small cluster of cafés and shops, a mosque, a Hindu temple and old colonial buildings. The hill is also home to a canopy-level attraction with elevated walkways through the treetops, and to a small owl museum. Trails lead off in several directions for those who want to walk.

At the foot of the hill, the Penang Botanic Gardens are free to enter and a pleasant place to stroll, with a resident troop of macaques that you should not feed. A hiking trail known as the Moongate route begins here and climbs to the summit in around two hours for those who prefer to walk. Kek Lok Si Temple, one of Malaysia's largest temples, is a short ride from the lower funicular station.