SHORE EXCURSIONS

Georgetown’s rich heritage comes to life as you explore its landmark temples and historical residences, which include an ornate mansion, clan house and Chinese immigrant community.

After departing from the pier, you will drive through Georgetown, a former trading post that was under British colonial rule until 1957. So many reminders of its illustrious past have been restored that Georgetown has become a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

For an enlightening look into its religious heritage, you will visit the Reclining Buddha Temple, known locally as the Sleeping Buddha Temple. Built in 1845, the temple houses an enormous, gold-plated statue of Buddha in a reclining position that symbolizes complete peace. A short walk across the street brings you to an even older Burmese Buddhist temple, the only one outside of Myanmar. Small statues of serene-faced Buddha left by devotees and beautiful murals depicting Buddha’s journey adorn the inside.

Then, it’s on to Chung Keng Kooi Mansion, also known as Baba Nyonya Mansion. Beautifully ornate and full of antiques, it was once the home of a Chinese Kapitan that was the head of the Hai San secret society. You will see Khoo Kongsi, a beautiful Chinese Clan House, the intricate wood and granite carvings, together with 24 stone-carved classic examples of filial piety.

Finally, on the way back to the pier, you will stop at Chew Jetty, a settlement of wooden houses on stilts that Chinese immigrants built in the 19th century.

Journey to the seaside district of Teluk Bahang to visit to a Butterfly Farm and a Tropical Spice Garden; a nature tour that features the flora and fauna of Penang. Depart the pier for a leisurely drive towards the northern tip of the island, enjoying the coastal views as you pass beautiful coves and bays of Batu Ferringhi, where you’ll visit the Entopia Butterfly Farm, where butterflies and insects are free to come out to play. The new and restructured facilities offer world-class and meaningful experiences, with over 150 species of flora and fauna for you to discover. The unique design of the tropical setting on this fascinating tour will enable you to observe a live exhibition of insects and other rare insect species from the tropical jungle thriving in their natural environment. Next, you will visit the Tropical Spice Garden, an eight-acre paradise showcasing a living collection of more than 500 species of local and introduced flora, with an emphasis on the conservation of tropical herbs and spices from Malaysia and around the world. It is also home to wild animals, birds and insects. Step into it and let nature’s sights, smells, sounds, of this lush tropical eco-system, take over offering a tranquil retreat.

Georgetown is a treasure trove of beautiful Heritage buildings and homes, and its cultures and heritage have been preserved through the years. Explore Georgetown's history and culture during this orientation tour of the city, and stop for a snack at a leading hotel.

As you drive through the city, view colonial buildings, Chinese shop-houses and Little India, all of which make Georgetown a largely intact, heritage jewel. Stop at Wat Chaiyamangkalaram, the Thai Buddhist Temple, which houses a 108-foot-long figure of the reclining Buddha. Just across the road is the ornate Burmese Buddhist Temple, which you will also have a chance to admire.

Visit the Penang Malay Gallery, where you will learn about the history of the Malay settlement of Penang Island. The exhibits showcase the way of life of the early inhabitants of Penang.

Not to be missed, when visiting Georgetown, is the majestic Khoo Kongsi, one of the most beautiful Chinese Clan houses to be built outside China. The intricate wood and granite carvings, together with 24 stone carved classic examples of filial piety, make this place a ‘must-see’ for visitors to Penang.

During your tour, you will stop for light refreshments at a leading hotel and stop at the Chew Jetty, and walk over the narrow wooden platforms of one of the several Chinese Clan Jetties to appreciate the humble beginnings of the immigrant Chinese.

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.

Express your artistic side while learning the ancient art of Batik at the Penang Batik Factory.

Here, unlike the usual one-sided print, each piece features patterns and colors on both sides of the fabric. Upon arrival, a local artisan will teach you the traditional way to make your own hand-drawn scarf.

Malaysian Batik is created by four methods: block-printing, hand-drawn freestyle, silk-screening and tie-dyeing. Batik fabrics are typically cotton and silk. Block-printed Batik cloth is produced by dipping the copper mold design in wax, then stamping and dyeing the material. After the first dyed color has dried, a second wax design is stamped and the material is dyed again. After repeating this process two or three times, the wax is melted away by boiling the cloth; resulting in an intricate and beautifully-colored design.

Should you want to keep your creation after the necessary treatment to set the colors, if the piece does dry on time, it will be packed and mailed to your residence at no extra cost.

You will also have an opportunity to buy batik clothing at the Boutique, where batik-print men's dress shirts, sarongs, scarves and more (even haute couture gowns) can be found.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Malaysian culture by visiting attractions that reveal the lifestyle of the local people and the natural beauty surrounding Penang. In the picturesque countryside just outside the city, you will tour a factory and observe the art of using dyes and wax to print spectacular batik designs on fabric. You will also have the opportunity to purchase batik merchandise. You will then take in the gorgeous coastal scenery on the way to a butterfly farm that has collected more than 100 species in an effort to conserve them. To understand other aspects of Malaysia, you may browse the reptile house and a museum of enlightening Asian artifacts. In time, you will observe more of the countryside before stopping at a produce market where you will see local fruits such as durian, mangosteen and cempedak, a highly aromatic fruit that resembles a melon with spines. A stop at lengthy Penang Bridge presents another perspective of coastal Malaysia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an understanding of the local culture through a variety of representative attractions.
• Observe the production of iconic Malaysian batik fabrics.
• Meander through an idyllic butterfly farm and browse a market full of exotic fruits.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy the definitive exploration of Penang, a scenic adventure that will encompass the most representative and revealing attractions, beginning with Kek Lok Si Temple. The largest temple in Southeast Asia, it offers a commanding view over Georgetown and features a towering seven-story pagoda, decorative shrines and tranquil gardens. Chung Keng Kooi Mansion is another architectural treasure with an unusual history, as the head of the Hai San secret society once lived there. Penang is synonymous with batik, and you will see how it is produced by touring a factory that makes traditional batik fabric. The lush countryside surrounding Penang is also well worth a look and through stops at a fruit market and a Malay village, you will gain great insight into rural life. For a glimpse into more modern life, you will take in the urban and coastal views from Penang Bridge, an engineering marvel that connects Penang Island to the mainland.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an in-depth look at Penang through its must-see attractions.
• Take in the spectacular view of Georgetown from a sprawling hilltop temple complex.
• Browse a mansion once owned by the head of a Chinese secret society.
• Drive through the picturesque countryside on the outskirts of Penang.
• Pause for photos at Penang Bridge, which spans the wide Penang Strait.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.