Georgetown & Penang Hill tour: Temples & Reclining Buddha

Ride the funicular to Penang Hill's peak, then descend into Southeast Asia's largest temple

A full-day guided tour of Georgetown starting with two major Buddhist temples (Wat Chayamangkalaram with its 4th longest Reclining Buddha and Dhammikarama Burmese Temple with Malaysia's tallest Buddha statue) followed by a funicular ride up Penang Hill to 833m, then Kek Lok Si Temple with its 30.2m Goddess of Mercy bronze statue. Hotel pickup and drop-off within the city center, English-speaking driver, and lunch are included. Entrance fees to Penang Peranakan Mansion and Khoo Kongsi Temple are covered. The tour runs 6 hours and may shift stops if traffic or closures occur.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chayamangkalaram Buddhist Temple30m
2. Dhammikarama Burmese Temple30m

Explore Penang's temples and heritage

• Pickup from Georgetown hotel
• Visit Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
• Visit Dhammikarama Burmese Temple
• Scenic drive through George Town streets
• Ride funicular train to Penang Hill peak
• Visit Kek Lok Si Temple and pagoda
• Sample Penang White Coffee and Tea
• Watch Malaysian handicraft demonstration
• Return to hotel in air-conditioned vehicle

The experience

How do you fit Georgetown's temple heritage and Penang Hill into a single morning and afternoon? Start with hotel pickup at 10am and head straight to Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, where the 4th longest Reclining Buddha statue lies in the main hall. Across the road sits Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, home to an 8.2-meter standing Buddha: the tallest in Malaysia. Both temples trace back to Thai and Burmese settlers who arrived in the early 1800s, and their presence side by side tells the story of Georgetown's multicultural past. A scenic drive through the UNESCO World Heritage streets follows, passing colonial remnants and local landmarks before you reach Fort Cornwallis for a photo stop.

The centerpiece comes next: a funicular train carries you up Penang Hill to 833 meters above sea level. From the peak, Georgetown spreads out below, and across the water lies mainland Butterworth. Colonial bungalows dot the hillside: built when the British chose the cooler elevation over the humid city. After lunch, you descend to Kek Lok Si Temple, built in 1891 and now one of Southeast Asia's largest. The "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas" blends three architectural traditions (a Chinese octagonal base, Thai middle tier, and Burmese crown), and a 30.2-meter bronze Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) stands at its highest point. An inclined lift reaches the middle levels. On the way down, you stop at Coffee Tree for a free tasting of Penang's famous white coffee or tea, then Crown Pewter to watch Malaysian pewter handicraft being made by hand.

An air-conditioned vehicle returns you to your hotel by late afternoon. The 6-hour window is fixed, though the sequence may shift if traffic or site closures require it. Any time beyond 6 hours carries an additional hourly charge.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within 1km of the city center.
• English-speaking driver.
• lunch.
• entrance fees to Penang Peranakan Mansion and Khoo Kongsi Temple.
• funicular train ride up Penang Hill.
• inclined lift access at Kek Lok Si Temple.
• free white coffee or tea tasting at Coffee Tree.
• pewter-making demonstration at Crown Pewter.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

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.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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 levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Asni Global

Is this one for you?The 6-hour commitment leaves the rest of your day free for independent exploration or a return to your hotel by mid-afternoon, making it easy to combine with evening plans elsewhere in Georgetown.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What's the tallest Buddha statue I'll see on this tour?

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple holds an 8.2-meter standing Buddha, the tallest in Malaysia. You'll also see the 4th longest Reclining Buddha at Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple across the road, and a 30.2-meter bronze Goddess of Mercy statue at Kek Lok Si Temple at the end of the day.

Do I need to climb stairs to reach the top of Penang Hill?

No. A funicular train carries you to the 833-meter peak, so you ride rather than hike. At Kek Lok Si Temple, an inclined lift reaches the middle levels where the Goddess of Mercy statue stands.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Yes, lunch is included. Entrance fees to Penang Peranakan Mansion and Khoo Kongsi Temple are also covered in the price.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup begins at 10am, and the tour runs for 6 hours, returning you to your hotel by mid-afternoon. The itinerary may shift if traffic or closures occur.

Will I have time to explore Georgetown's colonial streets?

Yes. After the two temples, you take a scenic drive through the UNESCO World Heritage streets of George Town to see British colonial remnants and local landmarks, plus a photo stop at Fort Cornwallis.