Tag: chew jetty

Penang CNY: The Jade Emperor Birthday (Weld Quay)

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Today marks the birthday of the Jade Emperor deity.

During the Chinese New Year’s 15-days period in Penang, the celebration for the birthday of the Jade Emperor will fall on the 9th lunar day of Chinese New Year. This day is particularly celebrated a lot by the Hokkien community in Penang and is also commonly referred to as the Hokkien New Year. There will be lots of prayers, food offerings and various festivities held for the Jade Emperor on this day. Two popular areas in Penang where this day is celebrated are the Jade Emperor Pavilion temple at Ayer Itam and the Clan Jetties area at Weld Quay, George Town.

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Chew Jetty Boardwalk

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One of the unique attractions in Penang is the clan jetties located along the coastal area of Weld Quay, George Town. One such jetty is the larger and more popular Chew Clan Jetty, or commonly known as just Chew Jetty, which features wooden houses built on stilts.

A Crowded Jetty

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Tourists taking photos of Chew Jetty on a sunny day. Chew Jetty is one of the top tourist attractions in Penang, with its signature houses on stilts.
Also seen here in the background on the right is the art mural painted by Ernest Zacharevic.

Penang Street Art (Grandmother and Grandson)

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A mural depicting an old lady laughing with presumably her grandson on a wall of a house at the entrance to the Chew Jetty.
This mural was painted by a local artist named Simon Tan. For the art’s location, please click HERE for the map.

Penang Isle: The CHEW Jetty

A Brief Info

The CHEW Jetty is a settlement of wooden houses built on stilts and the name “CHEW” is the surname (the first name) of the residences and that’s where the name was derived. Migrant’s families with this surname would live together in this area. The CHEW jetty is now one of the popular tourist attractions on the island. Wooden platforms connect the houses supported by stilts on the waters. Visitors can even go for a homestay at the village for an unique experience.