King Street or Lebuh King, is a historical old street located within the central heritage site of George Town and was named after King George III. As one of the original major roads in George Town during the British colonial era, King Street has several Cantonese style temples as well as various old heritage townhouses.
George Town Street View: CAMPBELL STREET (LEBUH CAMPBELL)
Campbell Street is one of the popular streets in George Town and is accessible from Penang Road and a number of other smaller streets. The street was found to be named after the Penang Inspector General Sir George William Robert Campbell, who was also the acting Lieutenant-Governor of Penang between 1872 and 1873.
The street is called “Sin Kay” by the local Hokkiens, meaning ‘new street’ and can also be referred to as ‘fresh chickens (another term for prostitutes in Hokkien)’. This is because back in the old days, the street was also famous as a red light district which attracted newly arrived prostitutes from Macau port (consisted mostly of Cantonese migrants). However, during the mid 20th century, the street became an important shopping street for the locals looking to buy various items such as clothes, watches and shoes.
Campbell Street Entrance Archway
Penang Isle: Pavilion of the Jade Emperor
Pavilion of the Jade Emperor is a temple complex built on the slope of the Penang Hill and is nearby the lower tram station.
The temple was built for the worship of the Chinese Jade Emperor (Thnee Kong). The birthday of the Jade Emperor, which falls on the ninth day of Chinese New Year, is celebrated by the Hokkien community who offer prayers and food items to the protector of their ancestors in China.
The Taoist temple complex has been undergoing major renovation since 2002 but its history and existence stretches much further to 1905. It was still a small Taoist shrine back then.
The Jade Emperor deity statue. Prayers and offerings are made during his birthday on the ninth day of the lunar new year.
The Entrance Arch to the temple from the main road.
George Town Street View: A Small Back Alley
George Town Pre-War Facade II
A Heritage Streetscape
George Town Pre-War Facade
1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel
The 1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel is a newly renovated pre-war building that is located along Jalan Pintal Tali (Rope Walk) in George Town. According to its official site, it is set to be the first Chinese heritage hotel in Malaysia and was also once a thriving hotel frequented by wealthy merchants and traders in the late 1800s.
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