Penang Hill - Never Something You Expected By Ghulam Moshin

A half day trip to the top of Penang Hill will be refreshing. You can see the City and the mainland. The night view will be beautiful. Now with the new train, the trip will be smoother. However many tourist prefer the old wooden train and couch, it was unique, as it moved slower, you have more time to enjoy the beauty of the hill and the plant. Now the aircond train, you can not have the open view.

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Penang Hill, a tourist attraction located in the island of Penang in Malaysia was a place I have always wanted to visit and finally, imagine my excitement, when I got the change to experience it!

I managed to reach the Penang Hill counter to purchase tickets to take the train up to Penang Hill. I was surprised to see that upon reaching the entrance to take the train, it was an uphill ride. The train was painted red and white and was built to shape the tracks leading up and down. This was very impressive as it gave a stable standing ground so you will not feel like you are falling backwards or moving upwards. Since there is no need to control my body movement, I could actually enjoy the ride up. As I moved to the first platform before we changed train to reach to the top, it was getting colder and I did enjoy the cool breeze on my skin. The air was amazing and extremely clean and breathing it in was really making me feel on cloud nine.

Once I reached to the top, I walked out and experienced the view. There were beautiful trees and flowers located on each side and the view of Penang Island from the top was truly amazing. By then, the landscape was just like little building toys that someone placed in the midst of the island and the whole island is just a stand alone island floating on the beach. What a sight.....

In the midst of this serene place, there is still some development. There is a range of restaurant and shops that one could savor to taste the Penang Island food and on the right is a police station and small hotel. I really wanted to enjoy this experienced so I rented a bicycle to cycle around. Just cycling around the hill was really refreshing and exciting all at the same time. This is because the air on Penang Hill makes you feel so energetic you just feel you could go on and on. There is a temple on top of the hill and hearing the chanting of the priest and smell of the incense just adds an extra touch to this place.

I'm Ghulam Mohsin, I am a freelancer with rich skill in Writing, Rewriting, Press release, SEO writing, Technical writing, Academic writing, Content writing. Honesty is my ethics, Money is secondary need for me as I love to write about anything (except issues which are harmful to humanity, illegal and exotic). Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ghulam_Moshin

penang hill

Penang Hill is one of the popular destination for tourist visiting Penang. It was developed by the British as venue for the European to escape the heat and humidity of the city.

There are 2 ways to get to the top of the hill. The most popular is by the specially constructed hill train and the other is buy 4 wheel drive. The access by road is reserved for the residents and emergency cases only.

Riding the hill train is a journey back into history. It was build in the early 1900. You need to change the train the middle of the journey. On the way, you can witness the lush tropical green, with its secondary forest, with the ferns and undergrowth.
The last stop is the Penang Hill, and you would be able to enjoy the view of the City.

Enclosed, a local video of the ride on the train and the view of Penang Hill.

Penang Hill

pix from wiki
Penang Hill or popularly known by the local population is Bukit Bendera, is one of the popular destination for the tourists to the island of Penang. The hill is about 800 meters high making it slightly cooler than the lowland. It has a local population of about 1000 peoples.

Attractions.
1. The hill offers a cooler retreat away from the hectic life in the town. With its temperature of about 3 degrees lower, it give the refreshing feeling to the visitors. The best time to get the cool feeling is to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon or night.

2. The hill train had been there for nearly a century. The trip will cost you rm4.50 each way and the earliest train is at 6.30 am. The railway was built in 1923 and it takes about half an hour to the top. For many Malaysian, the hill ride is an experience in itself as the train was uniquely designed for the Penang hill. A big strong metal cable pulls the train up the slope and a counter balance weight is attached to the other end of the cable.

As the distant is rather far, single able is not suitable, thus you have to trains and you have to change train in the middle of the route.

3. Attractive view: From the hill top you can have a picturesque view of the town and the bridge.

Facilities

1. You'll find a tea kiosk, restaurants, souvenir stalls

2. A mosque, Hindu temple

3. old Bellevue hotel.

Star Article

Sunday February 21, 2010
Penang's hill railway makes its last run
By ANN TAN

anntan@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Hill’s iconic funicular train will make its final run today after 87 years, leaving residents with only fond memories of the famous attraction.
It will be replaced by a RM63mil upgraded system, which is expected to be ready in seven months.

Septuagenarian Sim Chooi Hoon said the old coaches made her nostalgic because her first trip on the train was with her late son.
“When I was small, I always yearned to go on a ride to view the scenery at the hilltop but my family was too poor.
“My son took me up some 20 years ago and I will remember the trip forever,” recalled the 75-year-old, whose son died 14 years ago.
Technician Carsson Tan, 28, said his first ride on the funicular train was at the age of six with his cousins.
“I was excited, especially when we had to switch coaches at the middle station.
“But I sweated all the way in the coach due to poor ventilation and overcrowding,” he said, adding that the mesmerising scenery at the top and the antics of the monkeys made it worth the ride.
Traders at the train’s foothill station in Air Itam, however, expressed dismay at the loss of business during the suspension of services.
“If I were to work as a clerk with a RM600-700 monthly income, I might have to fork out at least RM500 for baby-sitting,” said Janet Look who operates a snack food stall. “So I’d rather stay at home and take care of my children.” Another trader, who only wished to be known as Chew, 70, said the exact date to resume business was uncertain.
“It is hard for me to get another job at my age. Still, I hope things will be better after the upgrading,” she added.
According to a sign at the foot of the hill, the upgrading will be completed on Sept 28.
Meanwhile, Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng urged visitors and residents to take one last ride on the train today.
“Be part of the historic moment,” he said in statement yesterday.
He said Penang Hill residents and hotel operators would operate a jeep service up the hill from the Botanical Gardens during the closure.
Penang Hill Residents Association secretary Beh Chin Siang said there would be about 20 jeeps on standby from 8.30am to 7pm during the closure.
“We charge RM70 to RM90 for each jeep, per two-way trip. We can also help arrange for night trips or stay-over at the hotel on the hill,” Beh said, adding that the association could be contacted at 016-4747663.
Last year, the hill was voted as Penang’s top tourist destination by some 1,090 people who took part in an online poll conducted by the state government’s tourism website (www.visitpenang.gov.my).
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is expected to be on the last ride at 8.30pm today.