Tag: George Town
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.
Penang Isle: Street View III
A wall mural spotted at an old building located at the centre of George Town Heritage Zone in Penang. This is near Armenian Street in George Town.
Penang Isle: Street View II
Various shots depicting old and heritage buildings scattered around the streets of George Town in Penang.
Penang Isle: Of Doors and Windows
Some random shots of various houses’ doors and windows in George Town, Penang.
Penang Isle: Street View I
A stroll through the various streets in George Town brings one back into historical times.
Pre-war houses and heritage buildings can be easily seen in most parts of George Town.
George Town Street View: BEACH STREET (Lebuh Pantai)
The Beach Street in Penang is a busy street during the weekdays as it is also known as Penang’s banking or financial district. Rows of historical and heritage buildings converted into banks and financial institutions lined up the street. Most of these heritage buildings retain their old appearance and architecture despite being used as modern financial centers by their owners.
Being one of the oldest streets in Malaysia, Beach Street’s history stretches back to the founding of Penang island as a trading port. Prior to a land reclamation during the late 1800s to early 1900s, Beach Street was actually built along the coastline of eastern Penang island in the 1780s. Hence, the shape of the street was curved and it started from Pesara King Edward roundabout (north) all the way to C.Y. Choy Road (south).
