MALAYSIA, TRULY ASIA: 
12-Day Private Tour from Iconic Cities to Jungle Adventures & Cultural Gems

Your adventure on Penang Island starts with a visit to Penang Hill (also known as Bukit Bendera). This iconic hill station offers breathtaking views of the island and is a beloved attraction for both locals and tourists alike. Your tour includes fast lane entry to the Funicular in case of large crowds. The Penang Hill Funicular Railway, one of the oldest funicular systems in the world, will take you to the top in 4.5 minutes. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be treated to panoramic views of Georgetown, the surrounding coastline, and the vast expanse of the sea. Explore the hill station on your own.

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Your Penang tour continues with a visit to the magnificent Kek Lok Si Temple, one of Southeast Asia's largest and most beautiful Buddhist temples. During Chinese New Year, the temple complex attracts a huge crowd for its spectacular lights display. You'll have the chance to explore the temple's various halls, gardens, and prayer areas. Take your time to soak in the peaceful atmosphere and admire the intricate details of the temple's architecture. Make sure you don't leave the temple without leaving your wishing ribbons on one of the trees. No visit to Penang can be whole without tasting the assam laksa soup. Your guide will take you to a popular local spot, where you get the chance to try Malaysia's national dish. The assam laksa is based on a pungent, fishy broth that has a fair whack of tamarind to give it that signature sour flavor.

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After lunch it is time to start exploring the UNESCO World Heritage city of Georgetown. In the first part of your tour, you will start exploring the of British Colonial Georgetown. Visit some remarkable sites, such as the iconic Eastern & Oriental Hotel - built by the Sarkies Brothers years before they opened their famed Raffles Hotel in Singapore- Fort Cornwallis, City Hall, Town Hall, and St. George's Anglican Church, while your guide will provide continuous insights into the life of colonial Georgetown. Your drive ends at the Clan Jetties, where with the help of your guide you get to explore one of clan communities, who built their homes on the water.

 

As you start exploring the streets of Georgetown, you will gain inside knowledge of the Peranakan people, a unique hybrid of Chinese, Malay, and Western cultures. We will visit some of the most important Chinese sights and temples, such as the Khoo Kongsi clan temple, and we will also walkby the Kapitan Keling Mosque. In your free time, you get to take selfies with the famous Penang street art and enjoy a coffee at the hipster China House. We will also pay a visit to the Goddess of Mercy temple, the oldest Taoist temple on the island. Observing temple-goers in prayer and rituals, you can gain insights into Chinese religious and spiritual practices. You may witness offerings, incense burning, and the lighting of candles, all integral parts of traditional worship. You will get the chance to visit a traditional joss paper shop and light your own joss stick at the temple. As you continue walking along the Street of Harmony, you will hear interesting stories of the past from the birth of street food to opium dens. We will end our tour at the Peranakan Mansion, a truly magnificent architectural masterpiece which once served as the residence and office of a 19th-century Chinese tycoon, Chung Keng Quee.

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In the evening, get ready to eat like a local. You will get the chance to try some local dishes at the Red Garden Food Center. The food center is a popular place among locals in the evenings because it services live entertainment as well! You guide will accompany you and help you selecting the best dishes. Since this marks your final night in Malaysia, take the opportunity to reflect on your journey savoring the memories you've made and the experiences you've shared. Celebrate the cultural diversity and culinary delights of Malaysia as you bid farewell to this vibrant and enchanting country.

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Hotel: Seven Terraces Penang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Services: Full-Day Penang & Georgetown Tour with Entrance Ticket to Kho Kongsi Temple, and Priority Ticket to Pening Funicular, Hawker Food Dinner Experience at Red Garden Food Centre