Penang Hill, Temple & Funicular

Ride a tram to the top of Penang Hill for a spectacular view of Georgetown and beyond, and then visit a Buddhist temple so famous that it has become an icon of Malaysia.

Drive inland to the town of Air Itam, originally developed because of the ideal agricultural conditions in the area. Today Air Itam is more renowned for being the home of Malaysia’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple.

As a scenic introduction to town, you will ascend Penang Hill on a railway tram. The views of Georgetown and the Straits of Malacca on the way to the top are outstanding, as the peak rises more than 2,700 feet above sea level. Penang Hill‘s summit offers a refreshing garden quality, with old colonial mansions, reminiscent of an old English Village.

Perched atop the slopes of Crane Hill is Kek Lok Si Temple, otherwise known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss. This sprawling Buddhist complex was built in the early 20th-century. The highlight is its towering seven-story Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, whose stunning design is Chinese, Thai and Burmese. During your visit, take a moment to view the Tortoise Pond of Longevity, where devotees release these long-lived creatures into freedom.