China Street Ghaut Archives

Wisma Kastam (formerly the Malayan Railway Building)

Wisma Kastam (formerly the Malayan Railway Building), was completed in 1909 in George Town, Penang, and designed in Edwardian Baroque style by the British architect Arthur Benison Hubback. Though it was built as a railway terminus, it never housed any actual train tracks—passengers would come to the station, then take a ferry across to Butterworth instead.

Over time, it served many functions: offices, a clock tower, customs building, waiting hall, and more. Because of its utilitarian role without actual rail lines, locals refer to it as a “ghost station.” It has now been granted Grade I heritage status and is under new leaseholders, with efforts to preserve its architecture and legacy.

The building is located along China Street Ghaut, and is also known as the “Big Ben” of Penang.

China Street Ghaut Old Facade

A China Street Ghaut signboard against an old building.

Penang Street Art (Dual Role)

A steel rod caricature installed along Chulia Street Ghaut and right across the central fire station at Beach Street. It depicts the dual role performed by policemen in the early 1900s who were also called to put out fires.

Penang Street Art (A Basketball Game)

A wall art mural depicting two children playing basketball located just at the back of the old Kwong Wah Yit Poh building. The building is located along Chulia Street Ghaut and this mural was also done by local artist Louis Gan, the same local artist who painted the other mural across the street, Children on the Swing / Step by Step Lane.

For the art’s location, please click HERE for the map.

Penang Isle: U.A.B Building

The U.A.B Building is an old historical building located at China Street Ghaut in George Town, Penang. The U.A.B Building was built in the 1930s, incorporating Art Deco architectural design style. The building was once occupied by the Indian Overseas Bank which was established in Penang in 1937 as the first overseas branch of the bank.