WITH the Penang Hill Festival (PHF) is just around the corner, various exciting programmes and activities have been lined up for the festival this year.
The three-day festival, organised by the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), marks its fifth edition this year. It will be held from July 19 to 21.
KP Ong, who is in charge of the nature programmes at Penang Hill, said since the inception of the Penang Hill Festival in 2018, PHF has been at the forefront of promoting and bringing about greater awareness of Penang Hill’s nature, rich tapestry, history and cultural heritage.
“PHF offers visitors and locals a glimpse of Penang Hill’s uniqueness, from its century-old railway to its lush greenery and rich biodiversity that was certified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site in 2021.
“This festival features a series of exciting activities aimed at celebrating the splendour of Penang Hill and showcasing the talents of local individuals. It is expected to attract thousands of visitors locally and abroad,” he told Buletin Mutiara during an interview session at the Penang Hill Lower Station recently.
According to Ong, PHF 2024 also features various heritage and nature discovery walks such as Fun Walk, Talk & Walk: Viaduct Trail, Talk & Walk: Moniot Trail, Talk & Walk: The Crag Heritage Trail, Junior Rainforest, Herbs and Night Explorations.
“Through these programmes, visitors can experience the lush landscapes and rich heritage of Penang Hill like never before at the Penang Hill Festival.
“Our heritage and nature discovery walks offer a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty, historical landmarks, and vibrant biodiversity of this iconic destination.
“Guided by our experts, through this programme, they can also discover rare plant species, hear the calls of exotic birds, and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of George Town and the surrounding islands.
“For the Night Exploration programme, visitors also can experience the magic of Penang Hill under the stars with our night walks. Discover the nocturnal wildlife and enjoy the cool, crisp air as you navigate through moonlit trails. It’s an enchanting way to see a different side of the hill and connect with nature in a tranquil setting,” he said.
Apart from this, Ong said the three-day PHF2024 promises an array of exciting programmes, including talks, exhibitions, photography workshops, and the much-anticipated ‘Music on the Hill – East Meets West’ on July 21.
He said the talks at PHF2024 will focus on key topics such as the remarkable transformation of Penang Hill and the pressing issue of illegal wildlife trapping in the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR).
Moreover, PHF2024 teams up with MinitAgo, an innovative and community-driven digital platform, to host an exciting digital treasure hunt during the three-day festival whereby visitors can enjoy Penang Hill’s nature, history and culture while hunting for ‘treasures’ on the hill.
For more information on the programme details and registration for the events, please stay updated on Penang Hill Corporation’s official Facebook page.
Below also are the details for various heritage and nature discovery walks that will be held during the Penang Hill Festival:
1)PHF2024 Fun Walk
Date: 19 July 2024 (Friday)
Time: 8.00am – 10.00am
Flag-Off Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fee: Free
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/49DGqRt
2)Talk & Walk: Viaduct Trail
Date: 19 July 2024 (Friday)
Time: 8.30am – 11.30am
Meeting Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fees: RM10.00 (Adults), RM5.00 (Children)
*The fees are not inclusive of the funicular ticket.
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/3SNVCo6
3)Talk & Walk: Moniot Trail
Date: 20 July 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 8.00am – 11.00am
Meeting Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fees: RM10.00 (Adults), RM5.00 (Children)
*The fees are not inclusive of the funicular ticket.
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/49GNbSE
4)Talk & Walk: Crag Heritage Trail
Date: 21 July 2024 (Sunday)
Time: 8.00am – 11.00am
Meeting Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fees: RM10.00 (Adults), RM5.00 (Children)
*The fees are not inclusive of the funicular ticket.
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/42KIKDP
5)Herbs Exploration
Date: 20 July 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Meeting Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fees: RM10.00 (Adults), RM5.00 (Children)
*The fees are not inclusive of the funicular ticket.
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/4bMcAfA
6)Night Exploration
Date: 20 July 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7.30pm – 10.00pm
Meeting Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fees: RM40.00 (Adults), RM20.00 (Children)
*The fees are not inclusive of the funicular ticket.
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/3I7qTgS
7)Junior Rainforest Exploration
Date: 21 July 2024 (Sunday)
Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Meeting Point: Dataran, Penang Hill
Fee: RM30.00 per child (Free for parents accompanying children)
*The fee is not inclusive of the funicular ticket.
Pre-Registration Required: https://bit.ly/3wfghKb
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting