Penang Heritage City Blog is a Penang blog about Penang and its heritage .

Sep 24, Bujang Valley with Candi Bukit Batu Pahat

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:51:47 -0400

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat is one of the 4 temples in the museum compound at merbok at the slopes of Mount Jerai (Gunung Jerai). Technically the temples are not part of Penang but it's so close we thought it deserved a place on this website.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat

Apr 30, Malay customs

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:56:30 -0400

Malay customs are practised in Penang and other states in Malaysia somewhat differ from place to place. There are some common aspects that cover rituals throughout their lives.

Baby's head shaving

Apr 28, Penangs Museums and Art Galleries

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:06:35 -0400
The is no shortage of museums and art galleries in Penang. Of course the State Museum is a must visit but there are others, like Cheong Fatt Tze mansion, Pinang Peranakan mansion, Khoo Kongsi and many more... check them out ...
Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Apr 25, Penang's Clan Jetty

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:36:13 -0400
This is one of the lesser visited heritage sites of Penang but nonetheless worth a visit. It's located close to the main jetty to the mainland....

Participants of the conference at
Chew Jetty community center.

Apr 24, Admiral Cheng Ho : Man in the past,divinity in the present

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:10:44 -0400
There's a lot of things known about Admiral Cheng Ho, Kelvin from Penang write us a really good extract of Cheng Ho's history in Malaysia...

Apr 23, Shopping in Penang

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:49:53 -0400
Shopping in Penang can be done at high class mall or at the flea market. All types of shopping can be done here. Just bring lotsa cash!

Chowrasta is one of the oldest markets in Penang

Apr 21, Meromictic Lake in Penang National Park

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:50:00 -0400
At the west coast of Malaysia's smallest national park you will find a natural wonder: the meromictic lake. It's an amazing place and worth your attention in your search for natural heritage.

The signboard marking the location of the meromictic lake at teluk bahang.

Apr 20, School projects on Malaysia's history

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:26:10 -0400
Do schools pay attention to the rich Malaysian history? You bet they do! This was an interesting read by Danial about influential Muslim leaders in Penang ...

Apr 19, Heritage Boutique Hotel: The Yeng Keng

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:59:19 -0400
Some hotels have it, some other just miss the point. The Yeng Keng hotel in the middle of George Town "has it". This is my 1st choice heritage hotel in town, yes, above E&O or The Blue Mansions! Here's why ...

Apr 18, Heritage hotels

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:20:17 -0400
George Town is UNESCO World Heritage City and with this the development of heritage hotels came too. E&O is of course one of the most famous, but there are others...

Segara Ninda - a small heritage hotel at Upper Penang Road.

Apr 16, Street Festivals in Penang

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:27:00 -0400
No place like Penang with its multiracial society. There is always some kind of a festival going on. If it isn't an Indian festival, it's a Chinese or a Malay ... it is one of the attractions of Penang!

Fierce looking dancers with red fans can be part of a street procession in Penang

Apr 15, The religious festivals of Penang

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:14:28 -0400
Penang is a cultural melting pot. For that reason it's also the best place to explore the different religious festivals Malaysia is rich with. From Indian Thaipusam to Muslim Hari Raya, and from Chinese New year to Indian Deepavali... Penang, again, has it all!

3rd day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the spitting oil ceremony

Apr 14, Beach Street, George Town

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:41:47 -0400
Much of Beach Street is in the last few years renovated and it looks fabulous ...

The nice block next to the former OCBC building at Beach Street.

Apr 14, Heritage Buildings

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:13:20 -0400
Penang is literally packed with heritage buildings. A visitor can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of heritage building as they seem to be everywhere, not only in the heart of George Town: the old Armenian Quarter, but in further away areas too...

Masjid Kapitan Keling at the Street of Harmony

Feb 20, Travel links for other web sites which are relevant to add to your knowledge.

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:11:03 -0500
Travel links for other web sites which are relevant to add to your knowledge. The list will expand as this site grows.

Jan 27, NEW!!! Penang Food Tour

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:15:05 -0500
I am excited to tell you finally we can offer you an official Penang Food Tour. The half day tour will show you the best of Penang food and at the same time give you an inside glimpse of Penang's rich cultural heritage.

Visiting the local market

Sep 25, Grand Opening Nazlina Spice Station in George Town

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:49:59 -0400
Heritage is of course much more than "a few" houses more than 25 years old. Heritage in Penang includes especially food. Nazlina Spice Kitchen is a great way to learn about the Malay and Nyonya traditions cuisine. With the class held in 71 Stewart Lane, George Town, you have a heritage class in an old heritage shop building, the best of both worlds! Prof Dato Anwar Fazal and Mr. Chow Kon Yeow (representative of the Penang State government) opened the Nazlina Spice Station by breaking coconuts.

Jul 6, Nine Emperor God

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 11:16:04 -0400
Since I was young, I will follow my grandmother to go to the temple during 9th month of Chinese calendar. I like to make wish & according to stories that

Jul 2, Old videos of Penang found on YouTube

Sat, 2 Jul 2011 21:11:41 -0400
Old vides of Penang on YouTube

Apr 4, Traditional Penang Cooking Class

Mon, 4 Apr 2011 00:49:06 -0400
A very special part of Penang Heritage is of course the food. Penang has so much to offer. Therefore Nazlina's traditional cooking class is a must do if you want to understand this part of the Penang Heritage....

Curry kapitan, made during the Penang Traditional Food Class

Mar 23, Nyonya beaded shoes and embroidered slippers are status symbols for the Peranakan people.

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:00:18 -0400
Nyonya beaded shoes and embroidered slippers are status symbols for the Peranakan people. Let's have a look at these photo page that shows different styles and fashion, back then.

Mar 21, Nyonya beaded shoes

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:55:11 -0400
We've added a magnificent collection of Nyonya beaded shoes, with help from Dr. Farish A. Noor.

Mar 21, George Town market research

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:31:20 -0400
A much needed survey about how to improve the markets in George Town Penang

Mar 19, Penang Road, the most famous road in Penang

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 21:05:50 -0400
Few roads speak to travelers in a way the Penang Road does. There is so much history here it's hard to imagine where to even start! Thus, I wrote an overview of the history of this most famous of all roads in Penang:

Chowrasta Market at Penang Road.

Mar 16, Meromictic Lake

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:46:36 -0400
The Meromictic Lake in Penang National Park is unique in the world. As I write on my page: Meromictic describes a condition whereby two layers of liquids of different densities, in this case, the salty sea water and fresh clear water from rain and five small rivers, remain separated. Usually at a river mouth or a delta, both kinds of water will mingle, creating diluted sea water.

The signboard marking the location of the lake.

Mar 12, Silambam, an ancient Indian form of martial arts

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:52:45 -0500
Silambam is one of the oldest forms of martial arts. That includes forms as Kung Fu which is derived from Silambam. I was lucky to have the opportunity to have a demonstration of this wonderful form of martial arts by Master Anbananthan ...

Opening stance

Mar 6, Traditional Ethnic Clothes

Sun, 6 Mar 2011 03:59:27 -0500
Penang has a very long history. Some of the traditions are still in use, for example the traditional Malay clothing. Read more:

This is a "pendekar" (Malay warrior) costume. The samping uses "kain pelikat". The kris is worn as a weapon.

Mar 4, Johny Chee and the Nyonya Belles

Fri, 4 Mar 2011 04:36:00 -0500
Johny Chee is a Penang Baba who loves his culture very much. He does a lot of effort to revive the interest of the general public about the dying culture of the Baba and Nyonya. Besides writing a book -"A tapestry of Baba & Nyonya poetry", he is also the mover behind a group of Nyonya dancers who call themselves the Nyonya Belles. Johny is also a regular guest at Penangs Little Penang market, every last Sunday of the month.

Johny Chee and the Nyonya Belles.

Mar 3, Malay and Nyonya Cooking Class in Penang

Thu, 3 Mar 2011 01:11:02 -0500
What do food and heritage in Malaysia have in common? In Penang food is part of the Penang heritage, especially when you talk about the Nyonya culture. Thus Nazlina has set up a traditional Malay and Nyonya cooking class where you learn all about the traditions of cooking in Penang the Malay and Nyonya way. The classes include a wet market tour where Naz explains about what is available and on the fly tells you about the Penang heritage itself.

Before the actual cooking, Nazlina introduces you the ingredients used during the class.

Mar 1, Celebration of George Town World City Day 2011

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 22:20:32 -0500
January 1 2011, was an interesting day in George Town. It was the celebration of George Town World City Day, here is what we wrote about it.

The crowd at a George Town festival at the Esplanade

Mar 1, Nyonya Kuih

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 04:13:52 -0500
One of the specialties of the Nyonyas in Penang is the Nyonya Kuih. Everybody seems to love them! They are tasty stuff...

Feb 28, Heritage Buildings in Penang

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:09:44 -0500
Not for nothing UNESCO appointed George Town in Penang World Heritage City. This page is an overview of heritage buildings in Penang.

The clock tower of the former FMS building in George Town. The building is now used as Penang's Custom Department.

Feb 27, Link to Penang Heritage City, Penang is part of UNESCO World Heritage and one of the main tourist attractions in Malaysia

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:40:27 -0500
Llink to our penangheritagecity.com page. Penang is part of UNESCO World Heritage and one of the main tourist attractions in Malaysia

Feb 27, Thank You

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:37:35 -0500

Feb 26, Beach Street - Banking Street in George Town

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:44:53 -0500
Beach Street is not what it looks like if you just look at the name. The street has little to do with beaches but everything with banks. Here you find many of the main bank offices and some are located in excellent restored heritage buildings.

Standard & Chartered Bank at Beach Street is an imposing heritage building.

Feb 22, Penang Heritage Trail

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:55:02 -0500
Many visitors to Penang know Penang is part of UNESCO World Heritage. Not that many realize there is a great trail to follow, clearly set out and easy to follow which leads you all along the major heritage sites. Here's an introduction to the Penang Heritage Trail

The majestic Syed Al-Atas' Mansion

Feb 21, Malacca, World Heritage City in Malaysia

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:39:05 -0500
Penang might be the biggest tourist attraction in Malaysia, but it's immediately followed by Malacca. Not for nothing, Malacca has a very long and rich history for hundreds of years. Fortunately much is still preserved. Have a look:

Melaka river, you can see the twin Gothic towers of the Catholic church dedicated to St.Xavier

Jan 30, Idiotic Writer for World Heritage Blog

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 08:52:58 -0500
Meet the rip off thieves of World Heritage Travel and Tours

Jan 23, World Heritage Sites in Asia Pacific.

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:04:20 -0500
World Heritage Sites in Asia Pacific. A short list.

Jan 22, Nature Heritage in Penang

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:07:48 -0500
Although Penang is more famous for it's food, beaches and festivals, there's also some extraordinary nature to find. The smallest National Park of Malaysia is to be found in the north west corner of Penang in Teluk Bahang and it's absolute worth a visit.

Tasik Meromiktik ... an amazing lake right at the seaside

Jan 11, Heritage hotels in Penang make your visit more meaningful.

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:46:52 -0500
Heritage hotels in Penang make your visit more meaningful. Experience the old world charm while traveling to Penang.

Jan 8, Cheong Fatt Tze - the Blue Mansion, a heritage hotel in the middle of George Town, Penang.

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 03:46:33 -0500
Cheong Fatt Tze - the Blue Mansion, a heritage hotel in the middle of George Town, Penang.

Dec 22, Celebration of George Town City Day will be held on January 1st, 2011.

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:28:36 -0500
Celebration of City Day in George Town is on 1st January. It was declared a city by Queen Elizabeth 11 on New Year's Day in 1957.

Dec 3, Heritage buildings Penang come in many forms in George Town City

Fri, 3 Dec 2010 23:28:49 -0500
Heritage buildings Penang are part of the reason why George Town has a lot of old world charm.

Nov 28, Our Life

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:56:47 -0500
I lived in a small house. I was originally from Ipoh, But my father had to move us here for business reasons. There my father died at age 74 of heart

Sep 12, Baba and Nyonya Poetry - a book by Johny Chee.

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 08:13:25 -0400
Baba and Nyonya Poetry,a book of beautiful compositions by Johny Chee and a collection of old rhymes.

Aug 1, Heritage Boutique Hotel in George Town, Penang.

Sun, 1 Aug 2010 23:36:53 -0400
Heritage Boutique Hotel in George Town - Yeng Keng Hotel at Chulia Street.

Jul 12, SBI! TV

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:56:47 -0400

Jul 12, Heritage Writer for Penang Heritage City Web Site

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:54:35 -0400
Meet the heritage writer who manages this Penang Heritage City Web Site

Jul 7, The Lion God Of Kuan Yin Teng

Wed, 7 Jul 2010 08:22:18 -0400
During the British time, The Lion God Of Kuan Yin Teng (the two lions outside the temple) used to go to Weld Quay to play during the night. One day the