Historic Sites in George Town, Malaysia
George Town Historic Sites
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Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
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10 places sorted by traveller favourites
Historic Sites • Neighbourhoods
Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas
Historic Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
What travellers are saying
- KinkyheelsSingapore, Singapore9 contributionsLovely tour of the Blue Mansion. Beautifully maintained property and lots of spots for great pics. I want to thank one of the members of the Blue Mansion team, Selva, for pointing out the nice places to take photos and for taking some lovely pics of my cousin and me. Made our visit more memorable.Written 3 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lisa PBoca Raton, FL52 contributionsArmenian St is probably, in my view, the best of the streets in George Town. Cute shops and at the bottom of the street is a good food marketWritten 18 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Heli PHelsinki, Finland6,316 contributionsThe long street passing through Chinatown to Little India becomes really lively only in the evening with all the bars, restaurants and food stalls open. The traffic is constant with the practical bus 101 travelling along it both ways.Written 18 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- saronicZurich, Switzerland26,183 contributionsThe Khoo Kongsi may be more opulent and more famous, but the Cheah Kongsi is very interesting and pleasant to see, especially since it is also less visited. There are two entrances: the old one from Armenian street and a newer one from Beach street (Lebuh Pantai). Unusual is the fact that seen from Beach street there is a big manicured, very British lawn in front of the building. It was added with the restoration 2013-2015, when historically inappropriate elements, that had been added later, were removed to make it look more like the original from 1873.
The Cheah Kongsi is one of the 5 big Kongsi in George Town, but together with the Khoo Kongsi it is the only one that can be visited on a regular basis. The other three: Yeoh Kongsi, Lim Kongsi and Tan Kongsi are generally not open to the public. Entrance fee is 10 MYR and it is open every day except Sundays. A little leaflet is handed out with the ticket and one can visit the place on one's own. Photography is allowed.
As at Khoo Kongsi one has to admire the roof with its upturning corners and all the dragons and other decorative elements made with 'Chien Nien' (cut and paste) ceramics in many colours. The main temple with three altars is on the upper floor, which can be reached by a wooden staircase from a small courtyard. Especially downstairs there are several small rooms, where clan members, often new arrivals from the home village of Sek Tong in Fujian province, were temporarily lodged and fed.
An interpretation centre tells about the home village and the perilous trip on Chinese junks to other shores and a hopefully better life. The Kongsi were meant to help each member of the same clan, to offer business contacts, and to meet and worship the traditional deities and ancestors.Written 11 October 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ashfield531Ringwood, UK1,026 contributionsIf you visit on a cruise ship then this is right near your exit and you get a good idea of the building from the outside. It costs too much to enter as there is not a lot to see. You can offset part of the entry cost as a voucher for a drink from one of the cafes inside.Written 2 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dan2963eveGeorge Town, Malaysia396 contributionsThis is a unique temple with three pairs of doors. The central main door features beautifully drawn gold door gods. Inside is a huge courtyard featuring a floor of unpolished granite slabs. It underwent a renovation in January 2020 and opens again in February 2020 for visitors.Written 21 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ashfield531Ringwood, UK1,026 contributionsUnlike more popular clan jetties this one is much more authentic as it is not commercialised and simply allows you a glimpse of the lives of the Chinese families that live in the old way that has existed for centuries.Written 2 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- saronicZurich, Switzerland26,183 contributionsOn my way to the Jubilee Clock Tower and Fort Cornwallis I walked through Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai), with a little stop at the basic Vietnamese restaurant 'Saigon Bowl'. The street is a bit wider than most in old George Town. Here can be found the 'Tourist Information Centre' at No 10, then plenty of interesting architecture.
The street was one of the first to be planned after the founding of the town end of the 18th century. As the name implies it once followed the coast. In the meantime it is quite removed from the sea and to go to the Weld Quay behind the ferry terminals and clan jetties one even has to cross another street, named after Queen Victoria.
The eldest of the stately buildings along Beach Street are in Victorian style and with neoclassical and Palladian influences. They are followed by the neobaroque Edwardian style like the Government Offices from 1907, which now house the Penang Islamic Council. Buildings from the 1930's are in the then fashionable Art Deco style.
Since Beach Street was considered the commercial and financial hub of the town, many buildings housed banks like the Standard Chartered Building, the HSBC Bank Building (both in Art Deco) or the AMB Amro Bank, then Royal Bank of Scotland, now Bank of China, a neoclassical construction from 1905 by the architect Henry Alfred Neubronner as it says there on an information board about the 'German Heritage Trail' in Penang.Written 19 October 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Roadtrippers.asiaPenang, Malaysia2,854 contributionsOne of the oldest clan house in Penang, the Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi is also the Ancestral House of the Tan clan in Penang.
Not a very big place like the Cheah Kongsi, but it contains nice architecture, especially the roof.
Free entrance for this house, so do check it out if you have the opportunityWritten 27 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about George Town
- These places are best for historic sites in George Town:See more historic sites in George Town on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for kid-friendly historic sites in George Town:See more historic sites for children in George Town on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking historic sites in George Town:
- Armenian Street
- Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion
- Chulia Street
- Han Jiang Ancestral Temple
- Fort Cornwallis
- These are the best places for budget-friendly historic sites in George Town:
- Armenian Street
- Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion
- Chulia Street
- Cheah Kongsi
- Han Jiang Ancestral Temple