Tag: houses

Views from Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane)

Lorong Toh Aka, also known as Toh Aka Lane, is a narrow, T-shaped alley nestled within George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang. Historically, it was known as “Ironworks Street” due to its association with ironsmiths, particularly from the Cheah clan. Today, the lane is lined with pre-war heritage townhouses, reflecting its rich past. A notable feature is a steel rod art sculpture depicting an ironsmith at work, commemorating the lane’s historical significance. Lorong Toh Aka connects to Beach Street, Malay Street, and the Acheen Street Mosque, making it a charming spot that blends cultural heritage with the vibrant life of George Town.

Fun Fact: The lane gets its name due to a prominent Cheah ironsmith whose descendants were among the first Chinese blacksmiths in George Town. The ironsmith legacy is celebrated with a whimsical steel-rod caricature sculpture on the lane, showing a traditional blacksmith hard at work — part of George Town’s iconic street art series by Sculpture at Work.

A View of Toh Aka Lane

Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane) is located at the heart of the heritage zone in George Town and is an old and rather narrow street. The street was said to be the home of iron smiths back in the old days. Rows of pre-war heritage style townhouses line up the street and majority of these houses belong to the Cheah clan community.

A Stroll through a Back Alley in George Town

A stroll through the many alley ways in George town is a little adventure of its own. Several back alleys in George Town recently went through a ‘beautification process’ as new colorful tiled walkways are being built for people to take a stroll along these rustic alleys.