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{{Short description|Hill resort in George Town, Penang, Malaysia}}
{{for|the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat|Bukit Bendera (federal constituency)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Penang Hill
| other_name = {{lang|ms|Bukit Bendera}}
| photo = Penang Hil, George Town, Penang 2023.jpg
| photo_caption =
| elevation_m = 833
|
|
|
| ___location = [[Penang Island]]
| country = Malaysia
| state = [[Penang]]
| settlement_type = [[List of cities in Malaysia|City]]
| settlement = [[File:Seal of George Town.svg|20px]] [[George Town, Penang|George Town]]
| map = Malaysia Penang George Town
| map_caption = Location within {{Legend inline|#fefee9|outline=silver}} '''[[George Town, Penang|George Town]]''' in {{Legend inline|#f7e2ba|outline=black}} '''[[Penang]]'''
| map_size = 200
| coordinates = {{coord|5|25|28|N|100|16|08.1|E |region:MY_type:mountain |display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref =
| topo =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = [[Penang Hill Railway]]
}}
'''Penang Hill''' is a [[hill resort]] comprising a group of peaks
A number of hills make up Penang Hill, with the highest point being Western Hill, which stands at an altitude of {{convert|833|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. Penang Hill is a hilly, forested area that stands out from the lowlands of Malaysia due to its elevation and greenery. The area was used as a retreat during the British colonial period and is now a popular tourist destination because of its history and heritage.
The top of Flagstaff Hill, the most developed tourist area, is accessible via the [[Penang Hill Railway]] from its base station at [[Hill Railway Station Road]]. To date, this funicular railway system is the only one of its kind in Malaysia, transporting over a million visitors to the top of Penang Hill {{As of|2014|lc=y}}.<ref name="penang monthly">{{cite web|url=http://penangmonthly.com/to-the-summit-anyone/|title=To the summit, anyone?|date=December 2015|author=Matthew Tan Kiak Hin|work=Penang Monthly}}</ref>
Penang Hill is part of Penang Hill [[Biosphere Reserve]], recognized by [[UNESCO]] as the third Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia listed in the [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]] (WNBR).<ref name="UNESCOPenangHillBiosphereReserve">{{cite web|url=https://unesco.org.my/v2/portfolio/penang-hill-biosphere-reserve-pulau-pinang/|title=Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, Pulau Pinang – UNESCO|access-date=3 January 2022}}</ref>
==History==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = Views from Penang Hill
| image1 = Penang Museum historical painting 448.jpg
| width1 = 230
| caption1 = Southeast view towards present-day Gelugor and [[Jerejak Island]] in 1817
| image2 = Penang Hill funicular railway.jpg
| width2 = 230
| caption2 = A Doppelmayr Garaventa 100-FUL funicular ascending Penang Hill, with [[Farlim]], [[Gelugor]] and [[Jerejak Island]] in the background
}}
Captain Francis Light, founder of the colony in Penang, first plotted a horse track from the [[Penang Botanic Gardens]] waterfall up to the top of the hill in 1788.<ref name=history/> He cleared an area in order to grow [[strawberry|strawberries]], and it therefore became known as Strawberry Hill.<ref name="lonely planet">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mzDloil93f4C&pg=PA202 |title=Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Penang |author= Joe Bindloss, Celeste Brash |page=202 |publisher=Lonely Planet Publications|year= 2008 |isbn=978-1741044850 }}</ref>
The official name of Penang Hill however was Flagstaff Hill, which is still reflected in its name in Malay, Bukit Bendera (literally "Flag Hill"). The name was a reference to the flagstaff outside "Bel Retiro", which was the residence of the Governor of Penang built by Francis Light c. 1789.<ref name=history>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ftEFcwwx20C&pg=PT204 |title=Penang 500 Early Postcards|author= Jin Seng Cheah |publisher=Editions Didier Millet |date=26 February 2013 |isbn=978-9671061718 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penang.ws/penang-attractions/penang-hill.htm |title=Penang Hill }}</ref> The area is, however, widely known as Penang Hill which is, in fact, a collective term covering a number of hills, and the other names such as Flagstaff Hill and Strawberry Hill are still used for specific peaks in the area.<ref name="penanghill">{{cite web |url=http://www.penanghill.gov.my/index.php/corporate-aboutus |title=Welcome to Penang Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219033022/http://www.penanghill.gov.my/index.php/en/corporate-aboutus|archive-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> The hill became a cool retreat for the British colonists from the heat of the lowlands and threat of [[malaria]], and many [[bungalow]]s were built on the summit of Penang Hill for government servants and army officials. A convalescent bungalow was built in 1803.<ref name="de bierre">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qa48wuIGbzwC&pg=PA130 |title=Penang: Through Gilded Doors|author= Julia De Bierre |page=130|publisher=Areca Books |year= 2006 |isbn=978-9834283421 }}</ref><ref name=expat>{{cite web |url= http://www.expatgomalaysia.com/2012/12/21/penangs-hill-station/ |title=Penang's Hill Station|author= Frances Wilks |date=December 21, 2012 |work=Expat Go}}</ref>
One of the earliest buildings on Strawberry Hill was a house built by David Brown on land given by Francis Light. Australian historian Marcus Langdon, however, believes Strawberry Hill house was built by [[William Edward Phillips]], who was also the owner of [[Suffolk House, Penang|Suffolk House]], and not David Brown.<ref name=star>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/04/06/the-light-of-his-life-francis-lights-contributions-are-fondly-remembered-but-not-those-of-his-wife|title=The light of his life Francis Light's contributions are fondly remembered but not those of his wife|website=Star Online|date=6 April 2013|access-date=27 October 2019|others=Article quotes Clodd (1948) and historians Ooi Kee Beng and Marcus Langdon.}}</ref> The house, however, burnt down and it was rebuilt in the 19th century, later used as a restaurant as of 2012.<ref name=expat /> The post office was first opened in 1894, and a hotel, the Crag Hotel, owned by the [[Sarkies Brothers]], was established in 1895 but sold in the 1920s; it was operational until it was closed during [[World War II]]. The building became a boarding school [[The International School of Penang (Uplands)]] from 1955 till 1977.<ref name=history /> The first police station was built in 1929, and the building is still standing here on the same site.
In the early days the only way to the top of hill was to travel on foot or horseback, or be carried on a dooly ([[Litter (vehicle)|sedan chair]]). The first attempt at a mountain railway on Penang Hill began in 1897 but it proved unsuccessful; it was built between 1901 and 1905 but had technical faults.<ref name="lonely planet" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penanghill.gov.my/index.php/about-us-3/corporate-info |title=About us: Corporate Info |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422221013/http://www.penanghill.gov.my/index.php/about-us-3/corporate-info |archive-date=22 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Straits government then organised a new project to construct the [[Penang Hill Railway|Penang Hill Funicular Railway]] at a cost of 1.5 million [[Straits dollar]]s. The railway was first opened to the public on 21 October 1923 and officially opened on 1 January 1924. The funicular railway led to a sharp increase in residential development as it became a ___location for the building of holiday villas and bungalows by Europeans and wealthy local Chinese ''towkays'' alike.<ref name="de bierre"/> It also led to its development into a major tourist destination in Penang. It received well over a million visitors a year by 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/bukit-bendera-visitors-doubled-last-year-3564 |title=Bukit Bendera visitors doubled last year |date= January 8, 2013 |work=Astro Awani }}</ref>
A major revamp at Penang Hill was initiated in 2010. The railway was overhauled, allowing for faster access to the hill, and facilities for visitors, walkways and viewing decks were constructed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://penangmonthly.com/one-heck-of-a-hill/ |title=One heck of a hill |author= Matthew Tan Kiak Hin |work=Penang Monthly }}</ref>
==Geography==
[[File:Penang_Harbour_HMS_Magpie_1884_George_Town_map.jpg|thumb|left|1884 map of northeast Penang Island showing Penang Hill at top-left, labelled "Government Hill".]]
===Topography===
Penang Hill is mainly
===Land use===
Some recreational potential exists at the upper reaches of the river where the water is relatively clean. In a number of cases, sudden changes in ground level have resulted in a series of small waterfalls and rapids, where bathing, dipping and
The lower terrain of the Hills is used mainly for agricultural and residential purposes.
{{OSM Location map
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| height = 450
|caption = Map of the subdivision of Penang Hill.<br />Click link at the top right corner to zoom in.
|auto-caption = 1
|nolabels = 1
| map-data=Q1094967 <!-- wikidata link to add county boundary-->
|map-data-light=Q1094967
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===Accessibility===
[[
The most convenient way up to Penang Hill is by means of the [[Penang Hill Railway]], a [[funicular|funicular railway]] from [[Air Itam]] to the top of Flagstaff Hill. The {{convert|2007|m|mi|abbr=on}} journey used to take about half an hour and the train may stop at intermediate stations upon request. However, upgrades to the system now allows non-stop rides to the top in five to ten minutes.
[[File:Penang Hill funicular ride entrance.JPG|thumb|Penang Hill Railway Lower Station, located at the western end of [[Hill Railway Station Road]].]]
As a means of reducing congestion and decreasing reliance on the railway, [[Penang Hill cable car|a cable car system]] linking the peak with the [[Penang Botanic Gardens]] is being built {{As of|2024|lc=y}}. The system is expected to be completed by 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 Jun 2024 |title=PM Anwar stresses cultural and environmental considerations for new Penang Hill cable car project |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/06/29/pm-anwar-stresses-cultural-and-environmental-considerations-for-new-penang-cable-car/142080 |access-date=2 Jul 2024 |work=[[Malay Mail]]}}</ref>
Alternatively, there is a {{convert|5.1|km|abbr=on}} tarred road known popularly as the "jeep track". It is open only to the vehicles of hill residents. The "jeep track" is also used by off-road motorcycle enthusiasts to traverse up the steep terrain. It is a popular hiking route. It begins at the quarry at the entrance of the [[Penang Botanic Gardens]] and it takes a two- or three-hour leisurely hike to reach the top. Some of the more famous pit stops at the mountain are 52 and 84. At these pit stops, a view of the island is visible to hikers, who are able to get some water and tea prepared by locals stationed on the hill. Eighty Four is the last pit stop before the top of Penang Hill—approximately forty-five more minutes from 84.
[[Image:Penang Hill funicular railway 2.jpg|thumb|Penang Hill Railway passing loop]]
''Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra'', more commonly known as Summit Road, leads from the top station to the western part of the hill right towards Western Hill and Tiger Hill.
The eastern face of Penang Hill is well served by a series of roads and paths, for example, Moniot Road, Viaduct Road, and Tunnel Road. Moniot Road is named after a Frenchman, Michael Jules Moniot who surveyed it between 1846 and 1855. Moniot Road has been declared a Heritage Trail in 1995 by the Governor of Penang.
A system of bridle paths forms walks connecting the different bungalows. Indian [[Penal labour|penal servitude]] prisoners shipped from [[Bengkulu|Bencoolen]], Sumatra, to Penang during the second half of the 19th century built these by-paths.
Numerous trekking trails lead from various starting points in the lowlands to Penang Hill. The more popular trails include the Moongate Trail, trail from Air Itam Dam to Tiger Hill, trail from Hye Keat Estate and trail from the Municipal Park (formerly Youth Park). Some of the trails are used by farmers to transport produce to the markets of Balik Pulau and Air Itam.
==Climate==
[[File:Views from Penang Hill 27-03-2023 25.jpg|thumb|The [[Central George Town, Penang|city centre of George Town]] viewed from Penang Hill]]
The most important feature of Penang Hill is the cooler climate. The core summit area has an average temperature ranging from 20° to 27 °C. The mean minimum temperature is consistently below 21 °C. The hottest months are between December and April while the coolest months are between June and October. It is generally 5 degrees cooler than the [[Central George Town, Penang|city centre]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penang.ws/penang-attractions/penang-hill.htm|title=Penang Hill |work=Penang Attractions }}</ref>
== Demographics ==
{{Bar box|title=Ethnicities within Penang Hill in 2020<ref name="mukimcensus">{{Cite journal |date=February 2024 |title=MyCensus 2020: Mukim/Town/Pekan |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |___location=[[Putrajaya]] |pages=174–175 |isbn=9789672537069}}</ref>|left1=Ethnicities / Nationality|right1=Percentage|float=left|bars={{Bar percent|Non-Malaysians|Purple|77.1}}{{Bar percent|[[Penangite Chinese|Chinese]]|Red|12.7}}{{Bar percent|[[Malaysians of Indian descent in Penang|Indians]]|Orange|6.0}}{{Bar percent|Others|DarkGray|2.1}}{{Bar percent|[[Malaysian Malays|Malays]]|Green|1.8}}{{Bar percent|[[Orang Asal|Other Bumiputeras]]|Teal|0.3}}}}
{{As of|2020}}, Penang Hill was home to a population of 332.<ref name="mukimcensus" /> Non-citizens constituted over 77% of the population, followed by [[Penangite Chinese|Chinese]] at nearly 13% and [[Malaysians of Indian descent in Penang|Indians]] at 6%.
==Plant and animal life==
===Flora===
The most common forest type found on Penang Hill is the hill [[Dipterocarpaceae|dipterocarp]] forest.<ref>Simon Gardner, Pindar Sidisunthorn and Lai Ee May, 2011. Heritage Trees of Penang. Penang: Areca Books. {{ISBN|978-967-57190-6-6}}</ref> Growing at higher altitudes are some of the submontane [[oak-laurel]] as well as coniferous trees. The
Penang Hill is scientifically important as a type site of many
The rare and endangered species include the parasitic plant ''[[Exorhopalia ruficeps]]'', which grows in the shady and damp undergrowth. The Penang
===Fauna===
Large mammals are not found
In the evenings, the characteristic calls of the
Penang
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==
* {{cite book|author=Malaysian Nature Society, Penang Branch|title=Selected Nature Trails of Penang Island|isbn=983-40170-0-6}})
* Malaysian Nature Society, [[Penang Development Corporation]] (PDC) et al. ''Penang Hill – A Part of Our Heritage'' brochure
{{Geographic Location|North=[[Tanjong Bungah]]|West=[[Pantai Acheh]]|Centre=Penang Hill|East=[[Central George Town, Penang|City centre]]|South=[[Ayer Itam]]}}{{Geography of Penang}}
{{Malaysian hill station}}
[[Category:Landforms of Penang]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Hills of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Penang]]
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