Absolute Asia/Malaysia/Penang Discovery: Heritage & Hills Day Tour
Penang Discovery: Heritage & Hills Day Tour
Discover Penang in a day-visit colonial landmarks, vibrant temples, street art, Penang Hill, and Kek Lok Si Temple on this cultural and scenic guided tour.
Quick Overview: Discover Penang in a day-visit colonial landmarks, vibrant temples, street art, Penang Hill, and Kek Lok Si Temple on this cultural and scenic guided tour.
| Format | full-day tour of George Town and the hills, with a driver-guide |
|---|---|
| Heritage | George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage city, per the tour page |
| City | capital of Penang state, 794,313 residents in 2020 |
| Area | city proper 306 km² across Penang Island and islets |
| Stops | Chew Jetty, Queen Victoria Clock Tower, Fort Cornwallis, per the tour page |
Penang Discovery: A Full-Day Heritage & Hills Tour of George Town
Experience the beauty, culture and colonial history of Penang on this full day tour of George Town and beyond. Meet your friendly driver-guide in your hotel lobby then begin your journey in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City.
Start your morning at the Chew Jetty which is one of the clan jetties built on stilts over the water. Not only is it a great photo opportunity, but it’s also home to one of the murals by Ernest Zacharevic from the 2012 George Town Festival! Next, you’ll see the Queen Victoria Clock Tower, make a photo stop in front of Fort Cornwallis, and pass Penang City Hall and the Logan Heritage Building on the colonial Esplanade.
Take a walk down the Street of Harmony which contains a church, a mosque and several temples all in the same street that represents the multiculturalism of Penang. The highlights are St. George’s Church, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and Kapitan Keling Mosque.
Continue down the road to Armenian Street to see the colourful street art and then backtrack through Little India with all the colourful sari shops, spices and lively sounds. You’ll get a short break for a chocolate and coffee tasting before lunch at a local restaurant. You might even have the chance to try the famous Penang Laksa!
Once your done, leave the hustle and bustle of the city and travel on the funicular train up Penang Hill! Once there, you will be amazed at the former British colonial hill retreat that offers cool breezes and a viewpoint with panoramic views! Finally, visit the elegant Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and famous for its tall statues and pagoda on the hill.
Finish the day with a stop at Wat Chayamangkalaram to view the magnificent Reclining Buddha statue that spans 33 meters, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world!
At approximately 4:30 PM, your guide will take you back to your hotel, head filled with the best of Penang’s culture, colonial history and highland scenery.
About George Town
English Wikipedia describes George Town as the capital of Penang, the core of Malaysia’s second largest metropolitan area at 2.84 million people, and the commercial center of northern Malaysia. The tour page lists stops including Chew Jetty, a stilted clan jetty, the Queen Victoria Clock Tower and Fort Cornwallis. Dress modestly at temples and ask before photographing residents at the jetties. We have not verified tour prices, schedules, stops or inclusions, so confirm them with Absolute Asia Tours before booking.
Sources (read in English, English Wikipedia): George Town, Penang. Last checked November 2026.
Penang Discovery: FAQ
How long is the Penang Discovery tour?
A full day.
Who guides the tour?
A driver-guide, per the tour page.
Which stops are listed?
Chew Jetty, the Clock Tower and Fort Cornwallis, among others.
How many people live in George Town?
794,313 in 2020.
What should I wear at temples?
Cover shoulders and knees.
You’ll get a short break for a chocolate and coffee tasting before lunch at a local restaurant.
Further Reading
Journeys That Go There
