Jalan Balik Pulau is a major road running through the town of Balik Pulau in central Penang island. The road begins from the south-eastern town of Teluk Kumbar and winds northwest, passing through Balik Pulau. The road then dwindles to a path going through hilly terrain before expanding into a larger road again at the Air Itam Dam and continues through the town of Air Itam. Given that Jalan Balik Pulau is the main road frequently used to connect Balik Pulau to other towns on the island throughout history, most towns and settlements have cropped up along the road. Pre-war shophouses, villages with wooden homes on stilts and small shop buildings, decades-old housing estates and some newer commercial lots are the many types of properties found lined on either side of the road. The Rapid Penang bus operates along Jalan Balik Pulau, with different stretches of it being a part of different bus routes. The 401, 401E and 502 Rapid busses serve the expanse of Jalan Balik Pulau along Balik Pulau while the stretch passing through Air Itam are served by the 201, 203, 204 and also the 502 busses. Jalan Balik Pulau connects to Jalan Teluk Kumbar and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah while on the Air Itam side, links to Jalan Air Itam and the many other roads and lanes on the peripheries of Georgetown.