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"Penang's Chinatown is so large and well preserved, visitors can feel the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant settlers who came to Penang in the 1800s."
Introduction
If you are visiting the city of George Town in Pulau Pinang, then Chinatown, which today is roughly bordered by Lebuh King, Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh Muntri, and Lebuh Campbell, should be a priority in your itinerary. Just a short walk from Fort Cornwallis, Chinatown is one of the places where you can still absorb the historical ambience of the beginnings of the Chinese settlement in Penang.
Walk through the arches of the walkways of old two-storey shop lots still used today, housing the many traditional trades and occupations which has somehow survived the decades. Among the surviving trades you can still witness today are the traditional lantern makers, joss-stick makers and signage engravers whose skills and knowledge have been passed down from generation to generation. Visitors to Chinatown will be intrigued by the many clanhouses, shophouses and temples found along these streets.
History
Chinatown's past is a colourful montage of migrants and fortune seekers from China who saw in Penang, the opportunity to build a new life and one of the most prominent figures, Cheong Fatt Tze, arrived in Penang in 1856 and made Penang his home base. Today, one can still see the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion along Lebuh Leith.
Under colonial rule, the immigration of various settlers from China, India and the Malay archipelago was closely organised by Francis Light. Originally, the Chinese settlers were alloted the China Street as their main settlement area. But this quickly changed as more and more settlers from China arrived and today's Chinatown spreads across to Lebuh Muntri and Lebuh Campbell.
People
Due to its location close to Little India, visitor to Chinatown can expect to see a multitude of races in and around Chinatown. Most of the Chinese here speak Hokkien and run businesses from privately own shop lots.
Related Events & Festivals
The annual celebration of Chinese New Year in George Town centres in the Chinatown area. On Chinese New Year day, Chinatown is lit up with red lanterns and dragon dance performances.
Travel Advice
If you happen to be exploring the traditional shops and tradesmen at work in the Chinatown area, do ask for permission if you'd like to take photographs of these tradesmen. Although they are mostly quite genial and welcome curious visitors, it can sometimes be quite trying when a whole string of visitors descend on their little establishment in any given day. It would also be polite to make a small purchase from their shop as souvenir.
For more information, please contact:
Penang Tourism Action Council
56th Floor, KOMTAR
10000 Penang
Tel : +604-262 0202
Fax : +604-263 1020
Email : enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.my
Last viewed - July 04, 2008
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