Colonial George Town
George Town was named after Britain’s
King George III, and with a population of
more than 700,000 it is the island’s main
metropolitan area. However the town itself
was founded by a different Englishman,
Captain Francis Light, and his body now
rests in the old Protesta nt cemetery,
which is a great starting point for anyone
interested in doing a heritage tour tracing
the city’s colonial past. From the cemetery,
follow the ocean road east towards Fort
Cornwallis, and pass by such notable
landmarks as St. George’s Church, the
Supreme Court Building, the Light Street
Convent, the City Hall and the Town
Hall, and the Queen Victoria Memorial
Clock Tower. However don’t miss a close
up inspection of The No. 32 Mansion, a
beautifully restored waterfront mansion
– now and upscale restaurant – located
across the street from the old Protestant
cemetery.
From the clock tower roundabout you can
easily continue south along Lebuh Pantai
and pass by such interesting landmarks –
all still in use – as the Whiteaways Arcade,
India House, the George Town Dispensary,
and the FMSR Building with it’s own grand
clock tower. There are several dozen
other colonial points of interest within the
city proper, as well as highlights such as
Suffolk House, which require a short drive
outside the city limits, all of which make
Penang into a veritable “living museum”.
Arches on Lorong Stewart
The No. 32 Seaside Mansion
Chinese Heritage
The English were certainly not the only settlers in
George Town, as this lively trading port drew an
influx of immigrants from all over, however the city’s
Chinese heritage – best exemplified by the many
historic mansions, the ornate clan houses, and the
multitude of Chinese-owned shops and restaurants
– remains the most pervasive to this day.
Grave of Captain Francis Light
32
Exploring the city’s Chinese heritage of is a fascinating
and colourful experience, and definite highlights
include the Khoo Kongsi Clan House, a spectacularly
ornate temple that dates back hundreds of years. Clan
houses are buildings in which Chinese families of the
same surname gather to worship their ancestors, and
although many other clan houses exist in the city,
the Khoo Kongsi is by far the most lavish. Another
fascinating clan attraction is the Clan Jetty (also
known as the Chew Jetty). This settlement of homes
was built over the water on stilts, a clever way for the
residents to avoid paying land taxes.
Successful businessmen and entrepreneurs also
make up a portion of the Chinese heritage here, and
visiting such lavishly restored homes as the Cheong
Fatt Tze mansion (also known as the Blue Mansion)
and the Pinang Peranakan mansion (decidedly green
in colour), gives visitors a bit of insight into the lavish
lifestyles of these prestigious merchant families.