Penang Hill, Penang

Took the funicular up at 6 pm and watched the sunset from the top. As darkness fell, the whole of George Town lit up below — the city lights, the bridge, the harbour. The 270-degree panorama at night is breathtaking. Bring a jacket because it gets chilly.

The night view from Penang Hill is far prettier than the daytime one. On a clear night you can see for miles across the strait to the mainland coast. The funicular ride up with the lighted city emerging from the hillside was a great experience in itself.

Tram tickets are RM30 for adults but you can get half price after 8 pm. There is not much to do up top at night beyond the view — a few cafes are open but options are limited. Still, the city lights panorama alone is worth the trip.

We arrived just before sunset and had the viewing platform mostly to ourselves. The temperature was noticeably cooler than sea level. Watching the city transition from golden hour to twinkling night lights was the highlight of our Penang trip.

Come on a clear evening for the best experience. We went on a hazy night and the view was decent but not as sharp. The wind at the top can be cold so bring a light layer. Queue for the funicular was about 15 minutes on a weeknight.