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George Town , named by the British after King George III, is Penang �s capital city. The government centre and its financial heart, George Town is an interesting and bustling city with modern high rise buildings, cathedrals, mosques, government offices, temples, bazaars, shops and cafes. A myriad of delights, George Town is very compact � the older part of the city is a labyrinth of narrow lanes and alleyways, which makes it a pleasure to walk and sight-see.
Indeed, walking is highly recommended � a leisurely stroll will enable one to slowly drink in the many details that would otherwise be lost in a hurried tour. If walking is considered tiring, try a ride on the old but exciting trishaw.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion , Lebuh Leith
Cheong Fatt Tze (1840-1917), a Hakka from Tai Pu in the Teochew district, migrated to Java in the 1850s where he prospered and moved his base to Penang in the early 1890s. A powerful Nanyang industrialist and a first-class Mandarin in the Manchu government, he was made Consul-General in Singapore and economic advisor to the Empress Dowager.
Cheong Fatt Tze had eight wives and owned many residences throughout his trading empire but made Penang his base, where he raised his six sons.
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion was built over seven years from 1896 to 1904 by teams of master craftsmen from China . This mansion is only one of three of its kind left outside China . The mansion is the only stately Chinese-type dwelling representing the best of 18th and 19th century Chinese architecture in the State. It was acquired and painstakingly restored to its original splendor by a group of conservationists several years back. To visit, go to Leith Street which is off Lebuh Farquhar, beside St. Xavier�s Institution school.
China Town
China Town on the island stretches from Weld Quay to Lebuh Stewart, lebuh Muntri, Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh King. China Town is so large and well-preserved that you will sense and feel the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant settlers who came here in the 1800s. Visitors will be intrigued by the many clan houses, shop houses and temples found along these streets, which reflect the heritage left behind. Stepping into these streets will certainly take you back in time.
Clock Tower, Pesiaran King Edward
The clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It towers 60 feet in high � one foot for each year of Her Majesty's reign. The Queen had died by the time the clock tower was finally completed in 1920.
Esplanade
Next to Fort Corn wallis is the Esplanade, a popular waterfront promenade which stretches from the hawker stalls at one end to the clock tower at the other. Central in the Esplanade is the Padang , a huge square of town green. Standing proudly beside is the City Hall, a stately colonial building which is a fine example of British palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.
Fort Cornwallis , Padang Kota Lama
Fort Corn wallis is situated at the spot where Captain Francis Light was supposed to have landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 with convict labour. It was named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India , and designed to protect the harbor from possible French attacks.
Today, much of the old fort remains, but its precincts have been converted into a public park and an open air theater. It is still guarded by old cannons, which were retrieved by the British from pirates who had captured them from the Johore Sultanate.
The most famous of the cannons is Seri Rambai, which dates back to 1613. Local beliefs have it that childless women can become fertile by placing flowers in the barrel of the cannon and offering special prayers.
KOMTAR, Jalan Penang
The Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, a prominent Penang landmark, houses Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants. The 65-storey complex also contains theaters, squash courts and a geodesic dome which serves as a multi-purpose hall, while the 55th floor offers a panoramic view of the city and on clear days, also of Gunung Jerai in kedah.
Museum and Art Gallery , Lebuh Farquhar
Located on Lebuh Farquhar, this newly-renovated museum is Malaysia �s most visited.
Nagore Shrine, Lebuh King
Constructed in the early 1880's, the shrine is a memorial to the Caliph, Syed Shahul Hamid. Faithful devotees may be seen visiting the strine to seek favors on Thursdays.
Oeding-Erdel factory tour, Bayan Lepas
If you're one of those who cannot resist the allure of gold and the sparkle of gems, you should sign up for a factory tour of OE, one of the most renowned crafter's of jewellery in the world. Learn how to care for your jewellery and watch craftsmen fashion gold, platinum and precious stones into award winning works of wearable art.
P. Ramlee's Birthplace & Gallery, Jalan P. Ramlee
P. Ramlee's house is located at Lot 2180, Jalan P. Ramlee, Penang . P. Ramlee was born in this house which was built in 1926 by his father and uncle, Rejab bih Hussein. The house was twice renovated by the latter � once during the Japanese Occupation and the other in 1948. The national Archives acquired the house and carried out restoration works in 1991. The original form of the house is still intact. Today, a small gallery stands next to Ramlee's birthplace, displaying memorabilia of all kinds.
Penang Islamic Museum, Lebuh Armenian
Feckless development and public apathy has resulted in only a handful of the elegant and historical homes of Penang Malays left standing. Two notable examples are the Syed Alatas Mansion on Armenian Street and the Segara Ninda, home of Ku Din Ku Meh, both good examples of upper-class Muslim residences of the 19th century, incorporating an eclectic mix of European, Indian and Malay cultural influences.
Segara Ninda � former home of Ku Din Ku Meh, Jalan Penang
Located at No. 20 in upper Penang Road is another restored heritage home that once belonged to a Ku Din Ku Meh, whose real name was Tengku Baharuddin bin Tengku Meh.
The Proposed Dr Sun Yat-Sen Museum , Lorong Susu
The date targeted for the completion of the museum is 2005. In the meantime, the Sun Yat-Sen Research Centre is open to public by appointment only. It serves as a nerve centre for planning and collecting information, records and artifacts of Dr Sun Yat-Sen's six years involvement in Penang .
For more information, contact Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Museum Foundation Research Centre, 26 Lorong Susu , 10400 Penang. e-mail: sysmusm@po.jaring.my
The Streets of George Town
George Town , although multicultural in composite, is predominantly Chinese and a big portion of it is Chinatown � a noisy, crowded, delightful conglomeration of people, goods, mobile stalls and old shop houses.
For the best of George Town, walk along Love Lane, Pitt Street, King Street and Carnarvon Street. Certain streets like Chulia Street and Campbell Street are best viewed in (Not Netscape) the evening, when they burst to life with hawker stalls and nighttime activities. Incidentally, some of the best hawker food are found on these two streets. See also the Southern end of Penang Street for a taste of �Little India.� Along this street are several banana leaf rice restaurants and a Hindu temple.
For the best of colonial architecture, see Beach Street and Light Street , where financial institutions and chambers of the State Assembly are housed.
The Penang War Museum , Batu Maung
If you want to know what life was like in Penang during wartime, you'll find some of the answers at the Penang War Museum . Housed in what was once a British fort built during World War II, the museum is the only one of its kind in the country.
Address: Lot 1350 Mukim 12, Merah Barat Daya, Batu Maung, 11960 Penang
Opened seven days a week (including public holidays), from 9:00am to 7:00pm.
Entrance fee is RM10 for adults and RM5 for children.
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