Georgetown heritage tour: Fort Cornwallis & temples

Colonial forts and reclining Buddhas in a single morning

A guided tour of Georgetown visits two major temples (Wat Chayamangkalaram with its 4th longest reclining Buddha and Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, home to Malaysia's tallest Buddha statue), then drives through the UNESCO World Heritage streets before ending at Fort Cornwallis, Malaysia's largest standing fort. Hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off are included, along with Fort Cornwallis admission and a white coffee tasting. The tour runs five hours with an English-speaking driver.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chayamangkalaram Buddhist Temple30m
2. Dhammikarama Burmese Temple30m
3. Fort Cornwallis45m · entry included

Explore Penang's historic landmarks

• Pickup from hotel or cruise terminal
• Visit Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
• Visit Dhammikarama Burmese Temple
• Scenic drive through George Town streets
• Stop for Penang White Coffee sampling
• Visit Fort Cornwallis
• Return to hotel or cruise terminal

The experience

Your tour starts with pickup from your Georgetown hotel or cruise terminal at 9am. The driver meets you in the lobby and you head straight to Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, where you'll see the 4th longest reclining Buddha statue in the world. Across the road sits Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, which holds an 8.2-meter standing Buddha: the tallest in Malaysia. Both temples arrived with Thai and Burmese settlers in the early 1800s, and they sit close enough that you can visit both in one stop.

After the temples, you take a scenic drive through the streets of George Town itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where colonial architecture and local buildings from the British era still line the roads. On the way, the tour stops at Coffee Tree for a free tasting of Penang's famous white coffee or tea: a local specialty worth trying. Then you arrive at Fort Cornwallis, a star-shaped fort built in the 1700s and named after the then Governor-General of Bengal. At roughly 10 feet high and located near the Esplanade next to the Victoria Memorial Clock, it's the largest standing fort in Malaysia and your admission ticket is included. The tour ends with a return to your hotel or cruise terminal in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking driver.
• Fort Cornwallis admission ticket.
• and a complimentary white coffee or tea tasting at Coffee Tree.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Asni Tours & Travel (M) Sdn Bhd

Is this one for you?The tour runs five hours with a 9am start, so it works best if you have a free morning or early afternoon and don't mind an early pickup from your hotel or ship. Walking is light (you'll spend most time in the vehicle moving between the temples, George Town's streets, and the fort) making it suitable for all fitness levels, though infants must sit on an adult's lap.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What's the reclining Buddha at Wat Chayamangkalaram actually like?

Wat Chayamangkalaram holds the 4th longest reclining Buddha statue in the world, one of the temple's main draws for visitors exploring Georgetown's Buddhist heritage.

How tall is the Buddha statue at Dhammikarama Burmese Temple?

The standing Buddha at Dhammikarama Burmese Temple stands 8.2 meters tall, making it the tallest Buddha statue in Malaysia.

Is Fort Cornwallis admission included in the tour price?

Yes, entry to Fort Cornwallis is included. The fort is open from 9am to 10pm daily and is located near the Esplanade next to the Victoria Memorial Clock.

What happens if I'm staying outside the city center?

An additional surcharge of USD 10 per person applies for hotel pickup outside a 1km radius from the city center, payable on the day of your activity.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Yes, pickup from your cruise terminal in Georgetown is included in the tour. The driver will meet you at the terminal lobby at 9am.

What's included in the white coffee stop?

A free tasting of Penang's famous white coffee or tea is included at Coffee Tree during the scenic drive through George Town.