25/04/2023
Penang: Flexible 6-Hours Highlights
Avoid canned tours with itineraries that are set in stone with this customizable highlights tour of Penang. This tour strikes a great balance between flexibility and ease of planning; you retain all the flexibility of a self-planned tour but, unlike a self-drive excursion, your guide can suggest places to visit and provide local knowledge. On the day your guide will be with the whole time to answer your questions and provide local insight. This tour is perfect for those who want to explore everything that Penang has to offer at their own pace.
# # Not a rushed group tour: choose how long to stay at each attraction
# # Visit up to seven different attractions in a single day This customizable tour is a great option for groups with diverse interests
# # George Town Heritage, Penang cuisine or island landscapes - the choice is yours
What to Expect?
1) Penang Hill
Since the British first settled here, they had always yearn for respite from the depressing heat, thus they set sight on the highest peak in Penang i.e. Penang Hill or locally known as Bukit Bendera. They built a railway up the hill and bungalows for retreat during weekend. Here we can see the legacy of the bungalows left behind by the British beside experiencing a colder climate compared to lowland. See 360 degree view of George Town, Love Lock, Ginger Garden and monkeys!
2) Kek Lok Si Temple
During the British era the Chinese flourished and thrived. They practiced their religion steadfastly and built many temples that rivaled those in China, if not better! One of the better one is Kek Lok Si, better described as the largest Buddhist's theme park in South East Asia. Learn all about Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism at the temple. There is a saying here in Penang - "you have not been to Penang if you have not been to Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si".
3) Pinang Peranakan Mansion
See the former house built by a Chinese Captain, Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, called the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. This elite house full of antiques and collectibles from east and west, featured many recollection memories when the Chinese immigrants inter-marriage with the locals and created a fusion of east meets locals, hence a new tradition was borne. It is also a popular shooting location of choice for Malaysian, Singaporean and Chinese movies.
4) Street Art in George Town
Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic is leaving his mark with beautiful wall painting of children all across historical Georgetown. The artworks are funny, fascinating, and very much open to everyone’s interpretations. See magical street arts created by Ernest like “Children on Bicycle”, “Boy on Motorcycle”, “Dinosaur” and “Climbing Wall”.
5) Reclining Buddha Wat Chaiyamangalaram
Wat Chaiyamangkalaram is a Thai Buddhist temple that contains one of the world's longest reclining Buddha statues, as well as several coloured statues of Dragon (nagas) and other mythical creatures. See the beautiful and serene world 3rd longest reclining Buddha. Walk around the statue for more trivias like "Weekdays" Buddha, 12 Chinese animals zodiac Buddhas, and pay homage to the "Future Buddha" (Matreya).
6) Chew Jetty
Busy, scenic destination featuring a traditional village of rustic houses on stilts over the water. Stroll on the plank walkway to see locals go about their daily life on the jetty, take nice pictures of harbor view, iconic Penang Ferry and Penang Bridge and buy a trinket or two.
7) Khoo Kongsi
The Khoo Kongsi is a large Chinese clan-house with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture, a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Penang, Hidden in an enclave, the magnificent family house became a get together for festivals.
