Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple & Botanical Gardens Tour

Penang Hill & Kek Lok Si Temple: A Day Above the City

You're picked up from your Georgetown hotel at 9am and spend the day riding a funicular train to the peak of Penang Hill, exploring Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple with its towering Guan Yin statue, wandering the tropical Botanical Gardens, and finishing at Batu Ferringhi Beach. All entry tickets and transport are included. The driver speaks English and knows the route, so you're not navigating or buying tickets at each stop. You're back at your hotel by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Penang Hill1h 30m · entry included
2. Kek Lok Si Temple30m · entry included
3. Penang Botanical Gardens45m

Penang Hill, Temples, Gardens, and Beach

• Pickup from hotel or cruise terminal
• Ride funicular train up Penang Hill
• Enjoy panoramic views from Penang Hill
• Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
• Explore Penang Botanical Garden
• Relax at Batu Ferringhi Beach
• Return to hotel or cruise terminal

The experience

The driver arrives at your hotel lobby right at 9am, and you're moving through Georgetown traffic within minutes. There's no waiting around, no figuring out which minibus goes where. He knows the route and the timing, and you're already heading toward Penang Hill. The funicular train climbs 833 meters in a few minutes, and when you step out at the top, the whole island spreads below you: Georgetown's colonial streets, the strait to Butterworth on the mainland, the haze of heat rising off the water. It's cooler up here, noticeably cooler, which is exactly why the British built their bungalows on this hill back when they ran the place. You get maybe 30 or 40 minutes to walk around, take photos, sit on a bench if you want.

Then it's down the hill and over to Kek Lok Si Temple, which is the kind of place that stops you mid-step when you first see it. Built starting in 1891 and expanded over decades, it's now the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, and it looks it. The architecture is a real thing: Chinese octagonal base, Thai middle tier, Burmese crown, all stacked together and somehow it works. There's a 30-meter bronze statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, standing at the highest point. You can take an inclined lift partway up if the stairs feel like too much, and the temple grounds are quiet enough that you actually hear the wind and the occasional bell. The ticket is included, so you're not fumbling for cash at the entrance.

After that comes the Penang Botanical Gardens, which opened back in 1884 from an old quarry site and still feels like a place where you can actually breathe. There's a waterfall nearby (that's why locals call it the Waterfall Gardens), and the tropical plants are dense and real, not manicured into submission. You walk through it at your own pace, no rushing. Then the tour ends at Batu Ferringhi Beach on the northwest coast, where the sand is wide and the water is warm. If you want to grab lunch at one of the seafood restaurants along the strip, you can, but meals aren't included in the tour price, so that's on you. The driver brings you back to your hotel or cruise terminal in the late afternoon, air-conditioned the whole way.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver.
• hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off (within 1km of Georgetown city center).
• fast-lane funicular train ticket for Penang Hill.
• entry to Kek Lok Si Temple.
• inclined lift access at the temple.
• entry to Penang Botanical Gardens.
• transport to Batu Ferringhi Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h 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?Book this if you want to see Penang's main natural and cultural landmarks in one day without arranging separate transport, buying tickets at each stop, or figuring out the route yourself: the fixed schedule and included transport are what make it possible to fit the hill, the temple, the gardens and the beach into a single afternoon.

Traveler reviews

3.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

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

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup is at 9am from your hotel or cruise terminal. The tour runs for the full day, with return in the late afternoon. If you exceed the stated tour hours, additional time is charged hourly.

Is lunch included?

No, meals are not included. You can eat at restaurants near Batu Ferringhi Beach at the end of the tour, or bring your own snacks.

What's included in the ticket price?

Private air-conditioned transport, hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off (within 1km of city center), entry to Penang Hill with fast-lane funicular train ticket, entry to Kek Lok Si Temple, and the inclined lift at the temple. An English-speaking driver is included.

Is there an extra charge for hotel pickup outside the city center?

Yes, there's a USD 10 per person surcharge for pickups more than 1km from Georgetown city center, payable on the day of the tour.

What happens if a temple or attraction is closed on the day of my tour?

The itinerary sequence or location may change due to traffic or closure. Your driver will adjust the route to keep the experience complete.

Can I add optional activities?

Yes, optional tours are available upon request with additional charges. Ask your driver or contact the operator before the tour starts.