Participants of a heritage trail talk and walk full of smiles as they capture the moment in front of the Crag building in Penang Hill. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Fifth edition of Penang Hill Festival highlights landmark’s rich natural heritage
THERE is much to experience at Penang Hill, beyond the usual tourist attractions and the panoramic views.
Penang Hill Festival 2024 illustrated just that with 32 educational and fun-filled programmes over three days.
These catered to visitors of all ages and highlighted the hill’s rich natural heritage and lesser-known historical narratives while inspiring greater environmental appreciation.
Among them was the Crag Heritage Trail talk and walk, which saw participants take a 3km stroll to the iconic but abandoned mid-19th century building, the Crag.
It filled various roles over time, from a private residence to a sanitarium, hotel, boarding school and even filming location.
Visitors Chong Wen Kai (right) and Tan Wen Wah proudly showing their pieces after participating in a batik painting workshop.
A similar 7km excursion to the Moniot Trail gave participants unique insights into the hill’s oldest track, first created in 1825 for horse-drawn carriages.
Another to the Viaduct Trail had guides highlighting indigenous flora and fauna along a 7.5km course leading to one of the funicular railway’s most impressive track sections, completed in 1923.
Canadian tourist Ian Johnson and his Singaporean wife Sim Chi Yin were in Penang to visit relatives and took the opportunity to join the walks.
“We both love nature and wanted to learn a little bit of the hill’s history,” said Johnson, a writer.
“It’s fortuitous that our trip coincided with the festival.
“This is a good way to draw people to the hill,” added Sim, an artist.
Families exploring the plants on one of the tours at Penang Hill Festival.
There were many other nature and heritage walks, herb and garden tours and even a Night Exploration programme that brought encounters with elusive nocturnal wildlife amid a symphony of sounds.
The Junior Rainforest Exploration saw youngsters learn about various species of plants and even leave a legacy themselves by planting some plants on the hill.
Quantity surveyor Toh Shenq Jia, whose son Clifford was among the participants, said the activity made learning about nature fun.
“We must not take nature for granted and teach younger generations to appreciate it before it’s too late,” Toh said.
Talks like “Revitalising Penang Hill”, “Memories of Penang Hill”, “The Impact of Illegal Wildlife Trapping”, “Numi’s Crossing” and “A Jewel in the Middle of Penang Strait” also proved insightful.
Participants of the Crag Heritage Trail talk and walk checking out the abandoned building.
These not only highlighted the hill’s history and recent developments but also shed light on how human activities impact wildlife and what other gems the state has to offer.
Equally eye-opening were several exhibitions, including one that showcased timeless snaps of Penang Hill and another on its Biosphere Reserve and related Summit Area Concept Master Plan.
Shutterbugs had a field day in the bird, nature and macro photography workshops, taking home stunning portraits of various species.
Others were equally rewarded for having a good eye in the bird-watching tour with Malaysian Nature Society guide Kanda Kumar, as over 130 types of birds call Penang Hill home.
This fifth edition of the festival, themed “See the Nature, Feel the History” concluded with the Music on the Hill: East Meets West concert.
Children and parents learning about indigenous flora and fauna on the junior trek.
The diverse acts included the Penang Youth Orchestra by Penang Youth Development Corporation, classical Indian dance academy BhaavaNarthana Naatyalaya, ethno fusion band Culture Shot, traditional Malay performance group Wak Long Music and Art Centre, local singer-songwriter Jimmy Fong and Malaysian band Sada Borneo.
As melodies rang out, visitors were also able to check out butterflies in the Small Wonders, Big Difference 2.0 and Spotlight of the Mini-mals exhibitions by Entopia as well as learn eco-friendly gardening tips from Nature Green Farm.
Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said it was a successful festival, attracting an estimated 25,000 local and foreign visitors across the three days.
“We hope that everyone gained better appreciation of the beauty and uniqueness of this cherished landmark and natural treasure of Malaysia,” he said.
