This is the second post about the highlights of George Town - a unique city on the island of Penang that combines Malay, Chinese and Indian culture. The combination of these three distinct cultures not only produces some of the best food in South East Asia, but has created some of the most interesting architecture.
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| Blue Mansion, George Town |
The streets of George Town are lined with buildings built in the distinct styles of different cultures - indigenous and colonial. While simply wandering the streets of George Town is a great way to absorb Penang heritage, you may want a sneaky-peak inside some of the opulent buildings.
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is testament to the Peranakans, also referred to as Babas and Nyonyas. Peranakans, an ethnic group descended from Chinese settlers, are largely concentrated in the straits settlements such as Penang, Singapore and Malacca.
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| Pinang Peranakan Mansion |
The Peranakans adopted the local Malay culture and British colonial lifestyle, leaving behind a rich legacy of unique architecture, antiques and cuisine - most of which are still evident in Penang today.
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion belonged to Chung Keng Quee, a very wealthy 19th-century merchant and purported pillar of the community. It hosts many eclectic objects within the exquisite rooms. Connected to the mansion is a beautiful temple that is a must-see (as pictured in the film photos at the end of this post). Entry price is very reasonable, you can join a guided tour as part of the ticket price, although you are not obliged to if like me you would rather do a self-guided tours.
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| Blue Mansion, George Town |
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If you are on the mansion-hype, I'd recommend a visit to the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (also known as the Blue Mansion). It was built by Cheong Fatt Tze
and is one of the most photographed buildings in George Town. The entry to this mansion is a little different to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion as it is a functioning hotel (and a pricey one at that!). You can book to join one of the scheduled tours here.
Along with exploring the street art (click
here for my post about George Town Street Art) a visit to either one or both of these mansions should be top of the list when staying in George Town. These mansions are some of the most stunning restored residences and a great introduction to Peranakan culture. Moreover, they are also a lens through which to understand the unique multicultural heritage of George Town.
P.s. Below are some shots of the mansions from my film camera!
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| Blue Mansion, George Town |
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| Blue Mansion, George Town |
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| Pinang Peranakan Mansion |
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| Pinang Peranakan Mansion |
