Sungai Ayer Itam

Sungai Ayer Itam (1 April 2024)


Sungai Ayer Itam is one of the main river on the eastern side of Penang Island. It begins as a small stream at the foothills of Penang Hill behind the Kek Lok Si Temple. At Kampung Melayu it converges with its first tributary, Sungai Air Putih, which starts behind Hye Keat Estate. Sungai Ayer Itam, which means "black water river" gets its name from its murky waters while Sungai Air Putih ("white water river") was named after its clear water.

One of the main tributaries of Sungai Ayer Itam is Sungai Dondang. This is the river that flows thorough the Farlim area of Air Itam. Sungai Dondang flows into Sungai Ayer Itam behind the Little Sisters of the Poor. From there, Sungai Ayer Itam continues its eastward meander passing under Batu Lanchang Lane, after which it heads north.

Sungai Ayer Itam then flows between Cheeseman Road to the south and Ibbetson Road to the north, and then continues between Chung Hwa Confucian Primary School and the Penang State Mosque. It flows under Jalan Air Itam, to the east of SRJK Shang Wu. Near Scotland Road, it makes a sharp right turn to east. It continues between Suffolk House and Sri York Condominium.

Sungai Ayer Itam merges with Sungai Air Terjun at Dhoby Ghaut. From there, the two rivers become Sungai Pinang, which continues to the sea.

Map of Sungai Ayer Itam

Sungai Ayer Itam, as sen from Scotland Road, Penang. (14 April 2009)


Sungai Ayer Itam at Suffolk House, from Linear Park (9 June 2007)


Canalized tributary of Sungai Ayer Itam in the Rifle Range area (18 May 2013)


Canalised tributary of Sungai Ayer Itam, at Jalan Sekolah La Salle (5 March 2013)

List of Rivers in Penang and Rivers in Malaysia