Specially curated heritage tours
Visits enlighten students on historic gateways in Penang

UNKNOWN to many, the Bel Retiro is the most prestigious property on Penang Hill.

Built in 1789 for the governor of Penang, the bungalow has an ideal vantage point over the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.

When Penang was Bristh crown colony, the Union Jack used to be hoisted at Bel Retiro, which was then a government administrative building.

It was meant to signal its presence to visitors.

NatureWalks@Penang Hill founding member K.P. Ong said Bel Retiro and the police station were Category One heritage buildings on Penang Hill.

He said while the Bel Retiro bungalow and its surroundings was off-limits to the public, visitors could still explore the Gate House, which serves as the historic gateway to the Bel Retiro.

“Before this, the Gate House served as a holding area for guests of Bel Retiro before it became a guard house,” he said during a brief “Student Excursion Programme” showcase for Buletin Mutiara.

The two-hour programme was specially curated for students by NatureWalks@Penang Hill and Penang Hill Corporation (PHC).

Available solely for school-organised tours, this programme offered an enriching experience at just RM10 per student, excluding the funicular ticket cost.

Ong said the programme would also expose students to amazing heritage buildings and structures such as the Penang Hill Mosque, Sri Arul Oli Thiru Murugan Temple, the cannon, and others.

“The programme is not complete without an exclusive guided tour to the Penang Hill Gallery@Edgecliff. The gallery is a must-visit stop on Penang Hill,” he said.

Ong (in green) introducing a baby python to pupils during an educational visit to Penang Hill.

The Edgecliff Bungalow is a Category II heritage building, first built in 1937 in a grand Art Deco style.

Formerly known as Braeside, the bungalow was designed by renowned architect Joseph Charles Miller (1901–1988) as his own home.

According to the information found at the Penang Hill Gallery@Edgecliff, Miller had designed three bungalows: Treetops (1929), The Nook (1929, now in ruins) and Braeside.

In 1939, as war threatened, Miller left Penang and never returned.

Ong said the Penang Hill Gallery@Edgecliff served as a perfect education centre and heritage gallery for visitors.

On the Penang Hill funicular ticketing service, one can email inquiries@penanghill.gov.my

In February, Penang Hill celebrated another milestone following the completion of its RM10.9mil Penang Hill Upper Station Upgrading Project (Phase Four).

It had seamlessly blended a century-old structure with modern additions, transforming it into an architectural marvel that serves multiple functions.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was quoted as saying that the station now stood as a beacon for both local and international tourists.

“Having the escalators and a passenger lift in the building also enhances accessibility for all visitors, ensuring everyone can enjoy the beauty of Penang Hill.

“The project also integrates educational aspects, sharing the rich history of Penang Hill and its significance as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve,” Chow said in his speech.

The upper station had since been renamed “Penang Hill Station” (Stesen Bukit Bendera) and the lower station as “Penang Hill Lower Station”.

The redevelopment was aligned with the Penang 2030 vision of “A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation” that focused on comfort, accessibility, education and green practices.

There is also a pedestrian pathway to David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace to enhance the hill’s appeal as a family-oriented tourist destination.

For details, call 016-420 1189 (a 24-hour booking is required).
UNKNOWN to many, the Bel Retiro is the most prestigious property on Penang Hill.