The funicular
A steep five-minute climb through the forest, running since 1923.
Hzh — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andrew Harvey — CC BY 3.0 · Ronykr — CC BY-SA 4.0
A funicular climbs a steep line through the forest to a summit around 830 metres above the sea, where the air is several degrees cooler than George Town. Since the line opened in 1923 the hill has been where islanders escape the heat, and today it is the first place Gulf visitors head for in Penang. The ride is part of the fun: modern cars climb one of the steepest funicular lines in the region in about five minutes. At the top you get a view that runs over George Town, the Strait of Malacca and the long Penang Bridge, shaded paths between old colonial bungalows, and a small mosque and a Hindu temple side by side on the summit. There is also The Habitat forest project, with a canopy walk on a separate ticket. Foreign adults pay RM 40 return on the normal lane and children RM 20. The RM 80 that booking sites show is the fast-lane fare that skips the queue, and at weekends and in holidays the queue can run to an hour or more, so on those days the fast lane earns its price. The best time to go up is shortly before sunset, to see the city by day and then its lights after dark, although cloud and mist can hide the view in the rainy season. The last train up leaves at ten, and the lower station is close to Kek Lok Si temple, so the two fit into half a day.
A steep five-minute climb through the forest, running since 1923.
George Town, the strait and the Penang Bridge from around 830 metres.
Several degrees below the city, a refuge from midday heat.
Lower funicular station, Air Itam, Penang
On weekdays outside holidays the normal lane is fine and the queue short. At weekends and in school or Gulf holidays pay the difference, as the wait can pass an hour in the heat.