Contrary to popular belief, Penang Hill is not a single hill (as its name suggests) but a collection of hills and spurs with suitably exotic names – Government Hill, Western Hill, Tiger Hill, Crag Hill, Mt Edgecumbe – reminders of colonial times when afternoons were spent on croquet, tea and crumpets. The Hill was Malaya’s first hill resort, popular with 19th century mat sallehs due to its cool climate.
The famous funiculars operate from the Air Itam station and transport passengers up to the top of Strawberry Hill. The railway which is one of Asia’s most historic funicular railways was completed in 1923, 17 years after construction began and has recently undergone a drastic overhaul. Train services will resume in January 2011 and passengers will be whizzed up the hill quicker and in air conditioned “comfort”.
