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    Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
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    Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

    George Town's Mount rises to about 830 metres and was a retreat from the heat even in colonial times. A funicular takes you to the top in just a few minutes, where it's noticeably cooler.

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    9. Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
    George Town's Mount rises to about 830 metres and was a retreat from the heat even in colonial times. A funicular takes you to the top in just a few minutes, where it's noticeably cooler. From the viewpoints, gaze over the city to the Penang Bridge and mainland; the Habitat nature trail leads through ancient rainforest.

    Sights in Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Penang Hill Railway
    Attraction

    1Penang Hill Railway

    The funicular was opened in 1923 and modernized with new carriages in 2011. From the valley station in Air Itam, it ascends about 700 vertical meters in just a few minutes. On weekends and public holidays, long queues form; a more expensive Fast Lane ticket shortens the waiting time.
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    The Habitat
    Park

    2The Habitat

    Nature park on the summit plateau with a circular trail through ancient mountain rainforest, suspension bridges and the Curtis Crest treetop walk, offering expansive views over the island. With a bit of luck, you'll see spectacled langurs and hornbills. You should plan one to two hours for the walk.
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    Penang Botanic Gardens
    Attraction

    3Penang Botanic Gardens

    The botanical garden at the foot of the mountain was laid out by the British in 1884. Paths lead past ponds, fern houses, and old trees; free-roaming macaques are everywhere. Also starting here is a steep hiking trail up Penang Hill, for which you should allow two to three hours.
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    Restaurants in Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

    Travel

    The funicular's base station is in Air Itam, about 20 minutes by Grab from George Town. Rapid Penang buses also run there.Active visitors can hike up from the Botanical Garden on a steep path; this takes two to three hours.At the top, buggies and footpaths connect the viewpoints, cafes, and The Habitat.

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    Nearby

    Batu Ferringhi

    Batu Ferringhi

    Penang's most famous beach resort is located on the island's north coast, about 30 minutes from George Town. Hotels line the long sandy beach, and in the evenings, a night market opens along the main road. The water is not always suitable for swimming due to jellyfish, but water sports and a trip to Penang National Park are popular.
    George Town

    George Town

    The capital of Penang Island was founded in 1786 by the British East India Company and, along with Melaka, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008. In the old town, Chinese clan houses, Indian temples, mosques, and colonial buildings are only a few streets apart. George Town is considered one of the top destinations for street food in Southeast Asia.
    Penang

    Penang

    Penang Island, off the northwest coast of the Malay Peninsula, is renowned for George Town: Its Old Town, with Chinese clan houses, Indian temples, and colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other attractions include Penang Hill, a small national park with beaches, and a street food scene considered one of Malaysia's best.
    Pulau Dayang Bunting
    Gregorio02 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Pulau Dayang Bunting

    The second largest island of the Langkawi Archipelago lies south of the main island and is uninhabited except for a few fishermen. It is known for the freshwater lake Tasik Dayang Bunting, the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden, between forested limestone hills. The island is part of almost every island-hopping tour from Pantai Cenang.
    Kuah
    SNN95 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Kuah

    Kuah is Langkawi's main town, with a ferry port, government offices, duty-free shops, and markets. Its landmark is the giant eagle statue at Dataran Lang, right by the harbor. Most travelers stay on the beaches and come here for shopping or when arriving by ferry.