Private Grand Tour of Penang

This comprehensive Georgetown tour will take you around the city to see the Chew Jetty, the Khoo Kongsi, Little India, and more to get a first-hand look at the lifestyle and culture of the people who call this city home.

The Chew Jetty is a settlement of wooden houses on stilts on the shore, and it has been the home of the Chew Clan community for more than a century. The settlement started modestly as a wooden passageway, and slowly evolved into a cluster of houses perched above the seashores on stilts above the never-ending shifting tides. This communal site is frozen in time, regardless of the urban development that is taking place around it. Penang is a heritage town rich with attractive historic sites and cultural events, but this inimitable settlement stands out as a unique living heritage. For visitors to Penang, this site is a fascinating must-see. One step on to the wooden walkways and you will be able to "feel" the ambiance from the surroundings which exude a sense of nostalgia. You get glimpses of the sea below you as you walk upon the wooden platform through the gaps in the floorboard. Walking further down towards the sea will lead you to a world that is half-forgotten and serene. Just on your left you will see a contrasting sight, the modern hustling, and bustling Penang harbor. At the end of the jetty you will see a panoramic view of the port, the mainland, the island, and the magnificent sight of the third longest bridge in the world, as you gaze into the horizon over the Straits of Malacca.

Next you will visit the Khoo Kongsi, the grandest Chinese clan house in Malaysia. Its elaborate and highly ornamented architecture is a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Penang. The clan temple has retained its authentic historic setting with traditional buildings all clustered around a granite-paved square. It is located in the heart of the oldest part of the city of Georgetown, amid narrow, winding lanes and quaint-looking pre-War houses which exude a palpable old world charm.

Head to Little India, home to the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. When you enter this ethnic Indian area, you will be transported to market streets in Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi. You'll hear traditional Indian music playing and see brightly colored saris, silk, and cotton for sale at the many shops. Little India is also famous for tasty Malaysian Indian cuisine. The adventurous can opt to sample some local fare in the traditional style: on a banana leaf, using your hands.

By now you must be hungry, so you'll make a stop at a local restaurant for a delicious lunch featuring a mix of Chinese and Malay dishes. Continue on and visit Kek Lok Si, Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple before ascending the iconic 720-meter high Penang Hill on a funicular.

Before your tour concludes, if time permits, you may stop at a local shop selling freshly brewed Penang white coffee or visit Royal Selangor Pewter before returning to pier.

Please Note: We do not recommend this tour for guests whose ships arrive after 9:00 AM, as guests will not have enough time to visit some or all of the attractions during their opening hours.