Tag: weld quay

Penang Ferry Museum

The Penang Ferry Museum, located at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in George Town, celebrates the rich maritime legacy of Penang’s iconic ferry service, which has connected the island and mainland since 1894. The museum features historical displays, vintage photographs, ferry models, and interactive exhibits that trace the evolution of the ferries from steam-powered vessels to modern roll-on/roll-off designs. Visitors can also explore the stories of those who worked on the ferries, offering a nostalgic glimpse into one of Penang’s most enduring symbols of heritage and connection. It opens daily from 9am till 10pm.

Ticket prices: For Malaysian ID-holders (MyKad) it’s RM29 for adults and RM15 for children. For non-MyKad visitors it’s RM39 for adults and RM19 for children.

2024 Thnee Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s Birthday Festival)

The various scenes from Penang’s historic Weld Quay featuring the annual celebration honoring the revered Jade Emperor. As devotees and onlookers gathered, the air was filled with the scent of incense and the sounds of fireworks, creating an atmosphere steeped in cultural richness alongside traditional performances at the main stage.

The Jade Emperor’s Birthday Festival, also known as the Heavenly Emperor’s Birthday or Thnee Kong Seh in Hokkien, holds deep cultural and religious significance in Chinese tradition. Originating from Taoist beliefs, the festival celebrates the birthday of the Jade Emperor, one of the most revered figures in Chinese mythology, believed to be the ruler of heaven and earth. The festival’s history traces back centuries to ancient China, where communities would gather to pay homage to the Jade Emperor with elaborate ceremonies, offerings, and prayers for blessings and prosperity. Thnee Kong Seh, is celebrated by the Hokkiens on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year.

Penang Weld Quay: Scenes from Jade Emperor’s Birthday Celebration

The celebration for the birthday of the Jade Emperor falls on the 9th lunar day of Chinese New Year and is celebrated mainly by the Chinese Hokkien community in Penang, which is also commonly referred to as the “Hokkien New Year”.

Two popular areas in Penang where this day is celebrated are the Jade Emperor Pavilion temple at Ayer Itam and the Clan Jetties area (such as the pictures below) at Weld Quay, George Town.

Penang Isle: The TAN Jetty

Scenes from Tan Jetty, one of the six clan jetties at the eastern shore of Penang island.
As the name suggested, this jetty used to house Chinese immigrants of the Tan surname clan from the Fujian Province in China during the colonial era in the late 19th century.