Tag: Heritage

Penang Perspective: Jade Emperor Temple at Ayer Itam

Today marks the 9th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which is also a big celebration of the Chinese Hokkien to express their gratitude to the Jade Emperor. It is also known as the Hokkien people’s new year, and in Penang where the majority of Chinese are Hokkiens, it is usually celebrated more widely (and ‘loudly’) than the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year.

It was said that during the Song Dynasty, Chinese Hokkien refugees were saved from being caught and killed by the Mongols on the same day of the Jade Emperor’s birthday after hiding in a sugarcane farm for nine consecutive days.

Hence, as a gratitude and believing that the Jade Emperor had blessed and saved them, the Hokkiens celebrated this occasion by offering prayers (usually including sugarcane too) to the Jade Emperor.

George Town Street View: CHULIA LANE

Chulia Lane is a small street in George Town that runs from Stewart Lane to Chulia Street. In the old days, the street was known as “17 Houses Street” due to the number of heritage townhouses that once lined up along the street. Presently, some of these townhouses have been converted to inns and cafes.

A steel rod art sculpture located at Chulia Lane.

George Town Street View: QUEEN STREET (LEBUH QUEEN)

As one of the first streets created in George Town, Queen Street (Lebuh Queen) was found to be named after Queen Charlotte (19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818), the wife of King George III.

Queen Street starts from an intersection of Church Street leading all the way south to the popular Little India.

  • The northern end of Queen Street
  • The southern end of Queen Street
  • Little India

Acheen Street View: Heritage Townhouses Facade

Old heritage pre-war townhouses along Acheen Street, George Town. These double-storeys townhouses normally have the “Southern Chinese” Eclectic Style architecture, which is often influenced by a mix of Chinese, Indian and European style design.