Tag: George Town

Penang Isle: Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Located at Church Street, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion (formerly known as Hai Kee Chan mansion) was originally the home of Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, a very prominent figure in Penang. It is an unique heritage mansion built at the end of the 19th century with architectural influence from the Peranakans culture, also known as the Babas and Nyonyas. Though not a Baba himself, Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee incorporated the culture during the building of his mansion due its association with wealth and substance.

The Peranakans are a Chinese community adopting selected ways of the local Malays and later, the colonial British, hence, created a unique lifestyle and customs which had not only left behind a rich legacy of antiques but its cultural influences in Penang. The mansion cum museum is also the house to over 1,000 pieces of antiques and relics of the era as well as a testimony of that time’s eclectic design and architecture.

For more information, one can visit the official site of the mansion at http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my/

Visiting Hours
Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm
Admission Fee: MYR 10.00

Pinang Peranakan Mansion Exteriors

Penang Isle: The World Heritage Office

The Penang World Heritage Office located at the heart of George Town (Acheh Street) is set up to manage, keeping tab and protecting the heritage values of the site. In addition, the office also conduct research, training and education programs with regards to heritage related activities as well as to promote the site.

Penang’s George Town was listed as World Heritage Site by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 7 July 2008 at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec City, Canada.

For more info, visit the official website.

George Town Street View: ARMENIAN STREET (Lebuh Armenian)

The popular historical Armenian Street is located at the heart of heritage zone in George Town, Penang.

The street’s name originates from a the Armenian community residing in the area including an Armenian family who had their home at the junction of the now Armenian Street and Beach Street in the early part of the 19th century. The famous Armenians amongst these were the Sarkies Brothers who later founded the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in the 1880s. After the Armenians left Penang, the street was populated by the Chinese community and they in turn, established some of the more famous clan houses in the area.

Armenian Street is currently home to Penang’s most famous art mural drawn by Ernest Zacharevic and various local shops and cafes catering to the tourists who visit the street.

  • The most famous mural of Penang

Penang Isle: Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse

Located within Fort Cornwallis, this historical lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in Malaysia. Built in 1882 during the British administration, it was known as the Fort Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse twas made of steel framework, which is a stark contrast with the rest of the fort. During the renovation in 1914 it was renamed as Penang Harbour Lighthouse. The 21 meters high minaret is made from white iron frame with depth filed covering of 16 nautical miles deep.

Penang Isle: Komtar Tower

As the sixth tallest building in Malaysia, the Komtar Tower located at the heart of George Town, is the most recognizable landmark of Penang. The building of the tower and its complex started in 1974 which was officiated by the late Tun Abdul Razak, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia. The word KOMTAR is also a portmanteau of Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak. Completed in 1988, the 65-storey tower is a 232 m (761 ft) 12-sided geometric block atop a 4-storey podium. The complex comprises office and retail commercial space as well as public and recreational facilities.