Hill Railway Road (Jalan Stesen Bukit Bendera), Ayer Itam

Jalan Bukit Bendera road sign (18 January 2013)


Hill Railway Road also called Hill Railway Station Road, and today known as Jalan Stesen Bukit Bendera and often simply Jalan Bukit Bendera, is the road connecting the Air Itam Roundabout to the Lower Station of the Penang Hill Railway. It has been around since the 19th century, when it was merely a country path that continued up the hill. At that time, the hill railway has not yet existed. During that time, British officials went up the hill either on horseback or by sedan chair.

For much of the 20th century, the Hill Railway Road continued to be one of the minor roads in Air Itam, on the outskirts of George Town. On one side of the road is a fruit plantation of Hye Keat Estate. The road leads to a number of major Chinese temples including the Jade Emperor Pavilion and the Beow Hiang Lim. By the mid-20th century, the road was lined with landed properties, many of which are still standing today. Present urban development only happened here from the 1980s onwards.

Today there are a number of high-rise apartments off Hill Railway Road. Most of these are located near the Lower Station. The plantation at Hye Keat Estate has also given way to residential development.

Location of Hill Railway Road (Jalan Stesen Bukit Bendera) on the map

Sights along or near the Hill Railway Road

Coffee Shops and Restaurants along Hill Railway Road

Health Institutions along the Hill Railway Road

Properties along or off Hill Railway Road

Going to the Hill Railway Road by bus

The Hill Railway Road can be reached by taking Rapid Penang Bus 204. The bus stop is within walking distance of most of the sights including the Penang Hill Railway.

204 at the Penang Hill Railway bus stop">Rapid Penang Bus 204 at the Penang Hill Railway bus stop (18 January 2013)

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia