George Town tour: Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill & street art

Two of Penang's biggest landmarks in one morning or full day

A guided tour of George Town covers Kek Lok Si Temple, one of Southeast Asia's largest temple complexes built in 1891, and Penang Hill, where a funicular train climbs 1.99 kilometers to 833 metres above sea level. The tour includes a live guide in English, Chinese, Malay or Cantonese, plus hotel pickup. You choose between a half-day (4 hours) or full-day (8 hours) option. Water is provided. Entrance fees are not included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kek Lok Si Temple1h
2. Penang Hill2h

Explore Penang's culture and nature

• Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
• Ride Penang Hill funicular train
• Discover Penang street art
• Tour George Town heritage sites
• Enjoy Penang street food

The experience

Kek Lok Si Temple anchors the first part of the tour. Built since 1891, it sits as one of the largest and finest temple complexes in Southeast Asia, with millions of Buddha images and hundreds of carvings, sculptures and murals across its halls, pagodas and archways. The temple blends Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals into a single heritage site that works as both a center for worship and a window into Chinese culture.

Penang Hill is the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia, dating to the late 1700s. The current funicular train is the 4th generation system, running on a track that stretches 1.99 kilometers from the lower to upper station: the longest funicular in Asia. The upper station sits at 833 metres above sea level. On the hill itself stand 52 bungalows, most over 100 years old. The oldest, Bel Retiro (the Governor's Bungalow), was built in 1789.

Beyond these two landmarks, the tour takes in George Town's street art and murals, the city's reputation as Malaysia's food capital, and the mix of Eastern and Western cultures that make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The full-day option gives more time to explore the countryside and tropical jungle. The half-day tour fits the main sites into a shorter window. A live guide leads the way in your choice of English, Chinese, Malay or Cantonese, and hotel pickup is included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• one bottle of water per person.
• live guide in your choice of language.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-day Penang tour lasting 4 hoursGuide in 4 languages · 09:00Additional hour charged at RM 70.00 per hour after the first 4 hours. Duration: 4 hours. Each person receives one free bottle of water. Groups of 6 or fewer travelling without luggage will ride in our 7-seater Perodua Alza (silver), with a driver included. Pickup is included.

Full-day Penang tour lasting 8 hoursGuide in 4 languages · 09:00Extra hours cost RM 70.00 per hour beyond the standard 8 hours. The itinerary I shared is only a set of suggestions, so feel free to choose, add, or remove anything; the whole plan can be tailored to you. Each person receives one free bottle of water. A selection of food and drinks is available at the Penang Local Products Shop. For groups of six or fewer travelling without luggage, we'll take you in our comfortable 7-seater Perodua Alza, with a driver included. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Cantonese, Chinese and Malay

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lee Eng Kuang

Is this one for you?Pick the half-day option if you want the two main landmarks without a full commitment. Choose the full day to add the countryside, jungle and more time to linger at each stop. The tour works for all fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible, so mobility concerns don't rule it out.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Chinese, Malay and Cantonese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Kek Lok Si Temple like when you arrive?

Kek Lok Si Temple is one of Southeast Asia's largest temple complexes, built since 1891. Inside and outside its halls, pagodas and archways are millions of Buddha images and hundreds of carvings, sculptures and murals that blend Mahayana Buddhism with traditional Chinese rituals and architecture.

How high does the Penang Hill funicular go?

The funicular train climbs to 833 metres (2,732 feet) above sea level. The track stretches 1.99 kilometres from the lower to upper station, making it the longest funicular in Asia.

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day tour?

The half-day tour runs 4 hours and covers the main sites. The full-day tour is 8 hours and includes time to explore the countryside, tropical jungle and additional attractions beyond the core landmarks.

Does the tour include entrance fees to the temple and Penang Hill?

Entrance fees are not included in the tour price and are paid separately when you arrive at each site.