THE HILLS AROUND Air Itam are often considered well-explored and have long been favoured by hikers. Yet hidden within their lush greenery lies a peak that has, until quite recently, escaped notice. About seven years ago, while poring over old maps, I chanced upon a high point close to the Tiger Hill Reservoir marked “2625”: its elevation measured in feet, corresponding to about 800m.
At the time, there was no clear trail to its summit. The irony was striking: one of the tallest peaks in Penang seemed entirely unknown. Only in the wake of the post-COVID-19 hiking boom did hikers begin exploring this area and establish a proper path. Today, the peak is a popular spot, fondly known among hikers as “Tiger Hill 803m”.
WE STARTED THE hike in Air Itam, at a wide path beside the Po Lin Buddhist Temple. This path immediately began climbing steeply leftward on the exposed slope. As we ascended, Air Itam and distant George Town unfolded below us. To our left, the Nirvana Penang West Lake Garden Memorial Park and the iconic Kek Lok Si Temple came into view. Further up, the path snaked into shadier bits, passing a huge Pulai tree (Alstonia sp.), and we reached another temple about 20 minutes from the start.
At this point, the path split in two, and we kept to the right, following the yellow signboards marked “Lean Fah Thong.” Small green lamp posts lined the path at regular intervals, and after about 15 minutes, we reached a second junction, where we turned right and travelled sharply uphill. About five minutes in, we reached the bright blue entrance archway of the Lean Fah Thong Taoist temple. An inscription dated this site to the reign of the Guangxu Emperor (r. 1875–1908), the second-last emperor of China. A note on the entrance archway clearly indicated that meat and liquor were prohibited, and that only vegetarian offerings were allowed. We spent some time respectfully going about the premises before retracing our steps to the previous junction, and continued rightward.
