Soulful Penang: Philanthropy & Heritage Tour (4D3N)

11:10 AM | Arrive Penang

Lunch: Bee Hooi Coffee Shop (LemmeEat Nasi Lemak)

Run by LemmeLearn, a vocational training center for neurodivergent youth, this meal directly supports their journey toward self-advocacy. Of course, the food is the star—locals rave about the fragrant blue pea rice and tender fried chicken. Coincidentally, this visit falls on World Autism Awareness Day, making the experience even more meaningful.

Tea Stop: Ruo Tea

Enjoy a stopover at Ruo Tea for a “tearista” brew. Floral aromatics help soothe travel fatigue.

14:00 | Hotel Check-in: The George

Location: Jalan Penang, George Town
Strategically located within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage zone.

16:00 | Penang Buddhist Association (PBA)

Blending Peranakan elegance with social entrepreneurship, the PBA has built the Dharma into both the physical and social fabric of Penang. The building features Straits Eclectic architecture, replacing traditional temple motifs with a grand, colonial-style aesthetic.
In the 1930s, its philanthropy extended into urban planning with the development of a housing estate—streets named Dharma, Nirvana, and Bodhi—providing stable community housing while funding charitable clinics and schools. 

Dinner: Folia

Location: Jalan Burma, George Town
A serene, design-forward dining experience featuring farm-to-table cuisine made with hyper-local, organic ingredients.

The Venue: Housed within the premises of an architecture firm, Folia offers a serene, design-forward dining atmosphere.

The Concept: Co-created by a nutritionist and eco-conscious chefs, the menu transforms hyper-local ingredients into wholesome meals. Their food is strictly farm-to-table, sourced from local organic farms to minimise carbon footprint and support Penang's agricultural ecosystem.

Evening (Optional)

After dinner, opt for a herbal head spa or join new Penang friends for drinks and conversations.

08:30 | Air Itam Temple Visits

Sri Ramar Temple (The Queen of Laundry)

Visit the temple founded not by a priest or merchant, but by a working-class matriarch, Ranee Dhoby.

The Legacy: In 1802, the British Governor Sir George Leith granted this land to "Ranee" (Queen), the head matriarch of the Indian washermen (Dhobies) who worked the river here.

The Significance: It was incredibly rare for a woman in the 19th century to be granted land titles. This reflects her immense influence over the laundry trade that kept the British administration "clean."

The Trust: She did not keep the land for herself. Instead, she established a Trust (confirmed by her will in 1872) to ensure the land would belong to the temple and her community forever. She created a sanctuary where her people—who toiled knee-deep in dirty river water—could find dignity and spiritual strength.

Kek Lok Si Temple
Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, featuring the seven-tiered Pagoda of Rama VI—an architectural blend of Thai, Burmese, and Chinese styles—and the towering bronze Statue of Guanyin. Inclined lift included.

12:30 | Tour of the Blue Mansion & Late Lunch
The iconic home of Cheong Fatt Tze, the “Rockefeller of the East.” This visit offers a masterclass in Feng Shui and 19th-century tycoon power dynamics. You’ll also see the courtyard featured in Crazy Rich Asians.

16:30 | Kampung Terang, Balik Pulau
(Approx. 30-minute drive from Air Itam)

The Vibe: This is the "Green Lung" of Penang—paddy fields, traditional Malay villages, and durian orchards.

Admire striking outdoor mural installations—industrial shipping containers transformed into canvases—rising from the green rice paddies.

19:30 | Hawker Feast at Presgrave Street

The Experience: We will end the day with a quintessential Penang experience

What to Eat: This is the time to try Penang flavours: Duck Egg Char Koay Teow (wok-fried noodles), Hokkien Mee (prawn noodle soup), and Oyster Omelette (fried with plump oysters)

09:30 | Vanilla Farm Visit & Lunch
Location: Kairos Agriculture, Permatang Pauh Agropark

The Experience: Discover why vanilla is the world’s second most expensive spice.

Activity: Engage in a hands-on tour of Malaysia's first "Smart Vanilla Farm." You will walk through the greenhouse, learn about the labour-intensive hand-pollination process, and pluck fresh produce.

Afternoon | Return to George Town (Approx. 1 hour)

15:30 | The Creative Hub: Hin Bus Depot
The vendors here are independent artisans.

Optional : Drinks at a Penang Speakeasy - enjoy a sip of Penang's mosaic of flavours

20:30 | Dinner: Social Night at CRC Restaurant: The Heritage Exchange
The Chinese Recreation Club (CRC) has been a social hub for Penangites since the 1900s. Originally established as a sanctuary for the local community to connect. The restaurant will be a perfect setting to meet with local business owners and entrepreneurs

Optional: Mahjong session at the Chinese Club after dinner.

09:30 | The "Morning Market" Walk (Chowrasta)

Walk over to Chowrasta Market (Lebuh Tamil)

The Vibe: This is the oldest wet market in Penang. The ground floor is a wet market (butchers/fishmongers), but you are heading to the dry goods stalls at the front and upstairs.

10:15 | The TCM Stop – Cheng Woh Medical Hall (Campbell Street)

Experience how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is woven into daily life in Penang — less about "medicine" and more about "wellness."

11:30 | Return to Hotel & Pack

12:00 PM | Checkout & Departure