Tours/Penang Island/Discover Penang: City Highlights, Kek Lok Si Temple & Penang Hill
Viator · Private tour

Discover Penang: City Highlights, Kek Lok Si Temple & Penang Hill

4.5(66)Penang Island1 hour
VIATOR4.4(50)TRIPADVISOR4.5(16)

Description

Explore the Penang city which is  rich in history as it is in culture, tradition and diversity by Penang City Tour. Visit Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, Streets of George Town - UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then proceed to Penang Hill and visit Kek Lok Si Temple, Guan Yin. - Harmonious temple bestowed with gifts from Chinese emperors - Picturesque funicular train ride to the top of Penang Hill - Spectacular views of Georgetown & roundtrip transportation - Relaxing environment at 2,700 feet (833 m) above sea level - Chance to view the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia

Tour Options

Private Tour with Tour Guide
  • You will be accompanied by professional tour guide who will give live commentary about the places visited during the tour Pickup included
Private Tour
  • Private transportation with private driver (limited live commentary) Pickup included

Itinerary

Pass by

Your tour begins with pickup from your hotel or cruise terminal at Georgetown on time for a 9am departure. Meet and greets our friendly driver at the lobby and proceeds for your tour.

30 min

Proceed with the City Tour where you will visit Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple Wat Chayamangkalaram (Thai: วัดไชยมังคลาราม; RTGS: Wat Chaiyamangkhalaram) (also called as the Chayamangkalaram Buddhist Temple) is a Thai temple in Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Situated in Kelawei Road, the temple located close to the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple. It is the oldest Malaysian Siamese temple in the state. The temple became a focal point for the annual Siamese Songkran and Loi Krathong festivals within the city suburb and for the city yearly Buddha Day procession.

30 min

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple Dhammikarama Burmese Temple (Burmese: ဓမ္မိကာရာမမြန်မာကျောင်း) is a Burmese temple in Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town of Penang in Malaysia. Situated in Burmah Road, the temple located close to the Wat Chayamangkalaram. It is the sole and oldest Malaysian Burmese temple in the state. The temple also became a focal point for the annual Water, Thingyan and Mid-Autumn festivals as well for Buddhist Lent and Candle Lighting Days within the city suburb

30 min

Streets of George Town - UNESCO World Heritage Site. The George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site features Malaysia’s best restored and re-adaptive traditional architecture as well as a multitude of heritage trades and arts. The world-renowned ‘Street of Harmony’ reflects the influence of the diverse communities that have made Penang their home. At only 2.5sq km, the George Town World Heritage Site is compact enough to be explored on foot, bicycle or trishaw. According to UNESCO, the city represents an exceptional example of a multicultural trading town in Southeast Asia, forged from the mercantile and civilisation exchanges of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences.

Admission included60 min

Then you will also visit Penang Hill where you will ride a funicular train to its peak at 833m above sea level to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Georgetown and mainland Butterworth. Colonial bungalows can be found around this hill due to the British preferring to stay in a cooler climate compared to the hot and humid environment in the city.

Admission included30 min

After that, you will visit Kek Lok Si Temple. Built in 1891 as a small shrine, it has since expanded to become one of the most majestic and largest temples in South-East Asia. Since its founding in 1930, the “Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas” is considered one of Penang’s most beautiful architectural wonders as it is able to incorporate 3 cultures into one structure – Chinese octagonal base, Thai middle tier and Burmese Crown. A 30.2m Guan Yin – Goddess of Mercy bronze statue was erected in 2002 on the highest point of the temple. It can be reached via an Inclined lift at the middle. On the way, we will stop for some free sampling of Penang’s famous White Coffee/ Tea at Coffee Tree. End of the tour return to your hotel or cruise terminal in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Highlights

Private transportation
Ticket for Penang Hill Train (Fast Lane), Kek Lok Si Temple, Inclined Lift
Hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off (city center 1km radius)
Air-conditioned vehicle
English speaking Driver

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Ticket for Penang Hill Train (Fast Lane), Kek Lok Si Temple, Inclined Lift
Hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off (city center 1km radius)
Air-conditioned vehicle
English speaking Driver
Not included
Gratuities
Additional hour will be charged if exceed tour hours (USD 25 per person per hour)
Surcharge of USD 10 per person for pickup outside 1km radius from the city center is applicable
Surcharge 30% to be applied during super peak / festive season & must be paid on the day of travel

Pickup Locations & Times

Free hotel pick up & drop off from your hotel located at George Town City Centre (1km radius). An additional surcharge of USD 10 per person for hotel pickup outside 1km radius from the city center is applicable and payable on the day of your activity.

Traveller Ratings

4.5
66 reviews
5
47
4
13
3
0
2
1
1
5

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Ticket for Penang Hill Train(Fast Lane), Kek Lok Si Temple, Inclined Lift included
  • No meals are included.
  • Itinerary sequence or location may change due to traffic or closure of places of interest.
  • If exceed tour hours as stated above, additional hour will be charged (USD 25 per person per hour)
  • Optional tours are available upon request (additional charges per person per hours as stated above)
  • An additional surcharge of USD 10 per person for hotel pickup outside 1km radius from the city center is applicable and payable on the day of your activity.

Reviews(66)

S
Stephen_W
March 31, 2026
Review of tour

Need some local currency especially for the temple transportation, they only take local currency. Guide doesn’t always accompany you. Air condition car is nice.

B
BWBlomquist
February 26, 2026
Abandoned

Abandoned and n amped cup with driver. Waited 3 hours at rendezvous spot we had confirmed with the driver.

C
christopherkC3372WN
February 9, 2026
excellent guide and great tour

Eng was an excellent guide, very friendly and helpful. The tour was very enjoyable and good value for money. A good variety of places from mountain viewpoint to temples.

D
David_B
September 11, 2025
Highlights of Penang

Excellent day, best part was the trip to Penang Hill and The Habitat, could easily spend half a day there alone. Would thoroughly recommend. Our guide KT was one of the most experienced in Penang and had spent years in the hospitality industry, a consummate professional!

A
Alan_S
July 6, 2025
Great Penang tour with Ong!

Morning tour helped beat the heat. Express tram to Penang Hill and direct drop off and pick up with Ong made the trip super convenient and enjoyable.

G
Grant_H
April 7, 2025
Best tour of our trip.

G-Shen was an excellent tour guide, we learned so much and appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm for Indonesian culture and history. Our group would rate this one of our best tours ever experienced.

L
Leonard_W
March 11, 2025
The entire day was...

The entire day was scheduled perfectly with my needs in mind. Adjustments were made to accommodate requests I had. It was the perfect day. I recommend victor tours.

S
SHARON_G
February 10, 2025
fabulous

our guy was wonderful. He made sure we got everywhere and saw so many wonderful things. He would always park and drop us off right next to the attraction so we didn't have to walk. The attractions were just so fabulous.

O
overintwo
January 11, 2025
Great tour!

We had a great tour with Geson. He was very informative and we got to drive to the top of Kek Loc Si! Unfortunately we didn’t get to do the Penang Hill because it was closed.

D
Denise_v
January 7, 2025
Worthwhile trip up Penang Hill!!

Penang hill and a ride with a buggy at the top was memorable. We did not have time to walk the sky bridge as it was very hot. But the environment was clean and everybody very friendly and helpfull.

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