The top of Penang Hill, 821m above George Town, provides a spectacular view over the island and across to the mainland.
The top is reached by a funicular, and on weekends and public holidays lines can be horrendously long, with waits of up to 30 minutes. From Weld Quay, Komtar or Lebuh Chulia, you can catch the frequent bus 204 (RM2.70) to Air Itam. A taxi here from the centre of George Town will set you back about RM25.
It's generally about 5°C cooler here than at sea level, providing a convenient retreat from the sticky heat below. There are some gardens, a food court, an exuberantly decorated Hindu temple and a mosque as well as David Brown’s, a colonial-style British restaurant serving everything from beef Wellington to high tea. From the road that extends from the upper funicular station, you can walk the 5km to the Botanical Gardens in about 1½ hours.
