Loke Thye Kee is an old and historical building that can be easily recognized as it stands at the corner of Burmah Road and Penang Road. Built in the late 1920s to resemble a ship, the building was a popular Chinese restaurant back in the old days until its gradual decline. The building was later renovated and restored in 2012 to its present state. Now, the building houses a few cafes and eateries.
Originally named after the old Prangin Canal in the area, Prangin Road was later renamed as Dr Lim Chwee Leong Road (or Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong) in the 1980s, after the physician who had his dispensary which was located along the road.
Prangin Canal in the old days was a popular water route in George Town for transportation of local goods to and from the ‘Sia Boey’ marketplace, and also due to its proximity with the sea.
The newly renovated Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce heritage building located along Light Street. The building now houses several shops, a hotel and also a cafe.
Named after Penang island’s colonial founder, Captain Francis Light, Light Street (Lebuh Light) was reportedly the first main street to be laid out and built in George Town. The area surrounding this road was once a thick jungle before it was cleared out, way before the Fort Cornwallis even came into existence. Captain Francis Light had his first house built along this street.
Along Light Street, there are several important government buildings that still exist till today, including the State Assembly Building, the Supreme Court Complex and the National Bank building.
The Supreme Court Complex and the National Bank building can be seen here.
The Supreme Court.
State Assembly Building.
The Straits Eclectic is an architectural style with heavy influence from the The Peranakan Cina, or also known as the Straits Chinese. This architectural style was very popular in the early 20th century in Penang and most town houses in George Town employed such style. This style also incorporated some Western architectural styles and normally includes plaster renderings of floral art and mythical figures on the facade of the building.
This KFC outlet is housed within an old heritage bungalow which is located at along Larut Road, George Town. It is also one of the oldest and biggest KFC outlets in George Town.
An evening glimpse of Bangkok Lane.
One of the old townhouses found here was named Argus House which also houses the production of first independent newspaper in Penang. The street is named after this.
Seck Chuan Lane (or Lorong SeckChuan) is a small road that mainly links up Buckingham Street and Chulia Street. It also has a smaller lane that leads out to Carnarvon Street. The street was apparently named after a local by the name of Khoo Seck Chuan, who owned lands in George Town, Penang during the 19th century.
There is a steel rod art sculpture located along this street (the end near Chulia Street).
China Street (or Lebuh China), is one of the main and oldest streets within the heritage area of George Town. The street was predominantly populated by Chinese settlers during the late 1700s and it runs from Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling to Beach Street as well as crosses a few other streets in the area.
The Kuan Yin temple of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Pitt Street) can be seen facing this road directly.