Bel Retiro Bungalow

Hunt for the heritage! In the 18th century, the British followed the cooler climes and built a retreat bungalow on Penang Hill. Originally used by the British governor of Penang, it later came in for exclusive use by the Malaysian royalty, visiting dignitaries, and gradually by high ranking officers. Today, the bungalow stands right at the top, overlooking the deep blue ocean and green mountains. As a locked heritage, it conceals more than it reveals.
A quiet black topped hilly road, next to Central Square, leads visitors to Penang Hill’s most prestigious property that lies tucked in a corner. The hike is short, but steep, and is flanked by a high-rise cliff on one side that hosts the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple and a mosque. As you get closer to the main entrance of the mosque, a view of the magnificent Bel Retiro emerges. Visitors are allowed until the Guard House, whose gate is only slightly ajar for people to step inside and witness its abandoned rooms. Arched verandas lend a peculiar architectural flavour to this stone building. From the locked entrance, you can witness a relatively narrow street, flanked by manicured gardens on either side, leading to the bungalow’s colonial-era facade.