George Town, the capital of the state of Penang, is a city that bears a rich history with its well-preserved architecture and cultural traditions. In 2008, George Town, along with Malacca, was recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage city. Take a walk through the Penang Heritage Trail (click here for the map) and experience the grandeur of the buildings that represent the various ethnicity who have lived in Penang over the past two hundred years.
Street of Harmony
Masjid Kapitan Keling Road (formerly Pitt Street) is often known as the Street of Harmony in Penang with its various landmarks of worship. The Kapitan Keling Mosque, at the corner of Buckingham Street and Masjid Kapitan Keling Road, is the oldest mosque in Penang, built originally by the East India Company’s troops in the late 18th century. The mosque we see today is a result of major renovation works that gave the mosque a face lift, including the construction of a tall dome-shaped minaret, largely influenced by Islamic Indian architecture.
a tourist on a trishaw in awe of the minaret of the mosque
Walking north along Masjid Kapitan Keling Road brings you to the oldest Hindu temple of worship in Penang, the Mahamariamman Temple. The front of the temple faces Queen Street, which lies parallel to the east of Masjid Kapitan Keling Road, and within the vicinity of Little India. The sculpture at the entrance is adorned with 38 statues of Hindu gods and goddesses.
the statues of the Mahamariamman Temple
Further on along Masjid Kapitan Keling Road is the Goddess of Mercy Temple, the first Chinese temple in Penang. This temple was built by early Hokkien and Cantonese settlers and remains a popular temple amongst the local community today.
incense burning at the front of Goddess of Mercy Temple
At the junction of Farquhar Street and Masjid Kapitan Keling Road, is St. George’s Church. As the oldest Anglican Church in South East Asia, it remains a significant Christian landmark in this region.
the neo-Palladian architecture of St. George’s Church
Clan Temples
The clan temples of Penang were built by the different clan associations who originated largely from the Fujian province of China and settled in Penang from the 19th century. Clan associations were formed originally to assist fellow immigrants who came from similar villagers to settle down and seek employment. These temples were then constructed to worship patron deities and ancestors of the clan.
One of the many clan temples is the Yap Kongsi Temple along Armenian Street, built on a piece of land donated by Yeap Choor Ee, a famous tycoon of the Yap Kongsi. Within this temple are ancient tablets of the Yap clan.
the ornate carvings and decoratives of the Yap Kongsi Temple
More Heritage Buildings
Just a few steps away from the Yap Kongsi Temple is Dr Sun Yat Sen Penang Base at 120 Armenian Street. This traditional shophouse was once the base of Dr Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary party and it is where the country’s oldest Chinese language newspaper Kwong Wah Jit Poh was founded by Dr Sun’s supporters. Today it houses a gallery of Dr. Sun’s personal collection.
Sun Yat Sen base
Next we head towards Leith Street where the remarkable blue Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion stands with its blend of oriental and western architecture. Built by Cheong Fatt Tze, one of the wealthiest tycoons, this estate earned the Most Excellent UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award in year 2000. Today, the mansion is open to the public for viewing and part of it has been converted to a hotel.
the blue colour of the mansion walls made from mixing lime with natural blue dye from the Indigo plant
the roof decorated with little pieces of pottery
Take a walk towards the Esplanade, where the City Hall with its British Palladian architecture, is worth admiring. Just next to the City Hall is the Penang War Memorial dedicated to the soldiers who died in World War 1.
facade of Penang City Hall
the cenotaph
Wow this series of Penang photos are really great!
I’ve been once in Penang some years before, but the weather was cloudy…
so can’t take many nice pictures like yours.
Glad to have all the informations about all the Penang Heritage Trail,
it’s a nice and complete Penang travel introduction!
I am impressed that Malaysia has well preserved Chinese culture there, such as Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s. Majority of the temples in Taiwan also have the same roof decorations since they were originally from Fujian, China. We speak the same dialect.
I think the statues of the Mahamariamman Temple are splendid! Wish I can have a closer look at them!
nice write up and great photos…. i really need to travel to penang this year! hahaha
Oh…cuti-cuti Penang ya
Nice series of photos 
I will be going to Malacca soon…stay tune for my version of cuti-cuti Msia ya 
I love heritage trails. There’s one in Sandakan town too. But I didn’t get to cover the trail as I had no time. Had to fly back home after my visit to Kinabatangan.
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
I will go to Penang just to take photos.
Cheers.
Trailing those heritage sites is one of the best thing to do in Penang. If one can try out those local street foods along the way would be even better! Beautiful photos.
wow! if only i have more time to spend in KL, i would definitely include penang in my itinerary.
thanks for sharing.
Rafael: it was a very hot day with clear skies – made photography less challenging but walking under the hot sun was erm really quite something. this is the first of the penang series.. stay tuned for more!
micki: yea the chinese culture is present here – since the majority are Chinese in this state. The main dialect spoken in Penang is hokkien. my family & relatives are originally from there although i was born in kl. so i am hokkien although i dun speak hokkien too fluently but i understand it!
henry: yea do visit penang… i go there like once every year… since family from there.
uLi: alrighty…. i really like malacca too.. the food and the mix of dutch and baba nyonya culture
Mei Teng: i’m so used to going back to Penang that i sometimes take the rich heritage of the town for granted… so decided to do the trail the last time i visited penang.
PhotoVigor: have u been before? and u have to try the hawker food tooo!
Cecil: will be posting up a few food stalls that i came across during my walk too
chyng: r u planning a trip to KL soon… penang and malacca are very popular for culture, history and delicious food! penang is also a favourite as it is an island so u can explore the town and chill by the beach – however the water is not as clear as other islands or like the ones u just went to in the phillipines!
I’ve never been to Penang before. All I’ve heard is the Snake Temple. Somehow, I always imagine Penang as a very crowded place. Like my friends use to describe it.
Those photos taken are very neat. They do have so many historical buildings there huh? The photos give me a feel that Penang is “very chinese”
) Love that blue wall.
Great shots!
I love colonial shop houses.
I think Penang has got the most “natural” ones.
Those in Singapore are a bit too “commercialised”.
One thing I don’t understand: Why can’t we keep those original street names?
Shame? But that’s nothing to be ashamed of, right?
It’s just history. Yes, they can change it but they can’t erase it.
Sometimes, I cannot understand their mentality.
wow! you can take penang so nice~ just love your pic..~
I missed Penang! Especially the food!!! Laksa, honey grilled chicken and kuey teow with jumbo prawns and many more.
These pictures bring back grand memories of Penang
I still remember Kapitan mosque, Guan Yin Mahamariamman Temple. Three places of worship in the vicinity – Truly 1 Malaysia!
I’m planning another solo road trip. Hope to include Penang for my second road trip.
Thanks for sharing!
mylo
nice pics, been there, took similar places but i love ur colours better though.
The blue color mansion is so alluring. Haha
If I’m not mistaken the Indigo plant is use for making Nyonya chang and kuihs right?
ai shiang: u should experience penang the next time u come back to malaysia for a visit! which part of malaysia were u originally from?
londoncaller: i think penang probably has one of the strongest influences that stayed on from the british colonial days. the road and street names remained in english until quite recently.
taufulou: i like ur posts on the hawkers food and 9th day of CNY celebration in penang – really festive~
mylo: yes the hawkers food is da best in malaysia! (i reckon).. that’s what us locals would usu drive up to penang for
a road trip up north…. sounds greeatt!
lily: did u post them up too? it was a good day for phototaking with the clear sky
che-cheh: i hear the butterfly pea flower is where the blue colour of nyonya dumpling and kueh is from.
Cantik sekali!
Nicely done! Just reminisces me of my Penang life a year ago..
inspiring pics! I hope I can also take some nice pics from my up-coming trip to Penang!
These are stunning, Lechua! You’re so lucky to be surrounded by all these beautiful places to take pictures. I love the colors of the temples—they’re vivid and gorgeous. They stand out so well in your shots.
Look at the blue on that wall!
I was in Penang during CNY, but mainly with my relatives. Not much time to visit various places.
Thanks for sharing your photos
i want penang food…have had enough german food ><
Kay Nny: tqssss
iamthewitch: are u from penang originally? or u lived there a year ago?
eunice: aah u visiting penang soon? remember to try all the yummy foood!
cat: the blue does really make the building stand out… often called the blue mansion
khengsiong: ur relatives also mainly from penang? u go back every year for CNY?
fufu: yes when u come back, u should give urself a good treat after all the sausages u’ve been having!!
wow.. the photos are really great. I am doing research on George Town, do take so much pics but not as good as this..
Penang is still THE PLACE where you meet the history of Straits Chinese. Don`t repeat the mistakes of S`pore. 20 years ago there were still some old villas in the city, now everything is “perfect” and clean. I remenber some buildings in Penang which disappeared : the old Asrama Belia – a beautiful old house, and the Wan Hai Hotel with it`s beautifull roofgarden.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures !