George Town Trip Overview
Describing Penang is describing an island with a beguiling blend of British, Chinese, Malay and Indian influences; the multicultural facets of this off-the-coast marooned destination have its roots now spread around the island. With the capital Georgetown as its pride and joy, under UNESCO protection since 2008, Penang is more than just an alluring beach destination with a pristine jungle in the centre of it all: often labelled as the unofficial food capital of Malaysia, there is no shortage of ‘fine-dining’ options, ranging from street hawkers to established names in the culinary circuit. Ideas for trying out the local cuisine may be unveiled after you have completed this introduction of Penang Hill and its most famous temple – the Kek Lok Si.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 hours
Starts: George Town, Malaysia
Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Rail Tours
Explore George Town Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Describing Penang is describing an island with a beguiling blend of British, Chinese, Malay and Indian influences; the multicultural facets of this off-the-coast marooned destination have its roots now spread around the island. With the capital Georgetown as its pride and joy, under UNESCO protection since 2008, Penang is more than just an alluring beach destination with a pristine jungle in the centre of it all: often labelled as the unofficial food capital of Malaysia, there is no shortage of ‘fine-dining’ options, ranging from street hawkers to established names in the culinary circuit. Ideas for trying out the local cuisine may be unveiled after you have completed this introduction of Penang Hill and its most famous temple – the Kek Lok Si.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kek Lok Si Temple, 1000-L, Tingkat Lembah Ria 1, Air Itam, Penang Island 11500 Malaysia
Your English speaking guide-cum-driver will be ready for a tour of two landmarks of Penang. We commence our excursion by heading towards the village of Air Hitam (Black Water) and the biggest Buddhist temple of the region. Known as the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy (related to the 30 – meter tall statue of Kuan Yin), the architects behind the Kek Lok Si Temple have taken elements from various architectonic styles to come to a striking example for worship for pilgrims around the country. The main attraction of the temple it is a striking pagoda; a seven-tiered marvel dating back to the reign of the Thai King Rama VI. It is also known as the “Pagoda of the 10,000 Buddha Images” as it is home to 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of the Lord Buddha, depicting the harmony between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. The climb up to the highest point may be an arduous one, but it is all worth it…in case you want to give it a try!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Penang Hills, Penang Island Malaysia
Our final stop for the afternoon is a mere funicular train ride up to panoramic views of extraordinary quality. Once a British hill station, Penang Hill boasts superb views over the island’s capital and parts of the Malaysian Peninsula. The funicular train system was introduced during the colonial days and has seen many upgrades over the years to comply with modern standards. We are taking the train back from the hilltop down to the parking area, from where you will be comfortably brought back to your Penang Hotel, just in time for a relaxing afternoon under the Malaysian sun.
Duration: 2 hours
