Chinatown - Penang
Chinatown - Penang
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54 reviews
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Heli P
Helsinki, Finland7,358 contributions
Feb 2023
It must feel both a blessing and a burden for the owners of shophouses to be granted the Unesco World Heritage title. You can hardly demolish the over hundred years old buildings and renovating according to all the conservation rules is costly. Under the Komtar Octopus you can see the abandonded premises of a boutique hotel and restaurant which were totally reconstructed with extreme care and went bust already before the pandemic. Some artisans with precious skills can still be found working in plain sight like the carpenter making mother of pearl intarsia furniture.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland28,647 contributions
Nov 2019
When in George Town it is hard to say, where Chinatown really is. With 42% of the population and being economically the most active ethnic group the Chinese are everywhere, as can be witnessed by all the their shops and the Chinese signs and letters.
Many Chinatowns all over the world, as last seen in Melbourne, are delimited by typical arches. Here they can be found at Campbell Street, where I was staying anyway, in the lovely Italian run boutique hotel 'Campbell House'. But this is definitely not the only Chinese part of town.
The area around Campbell Street has been called 'New Chinatown' by historians, since it was settled by later immigrants from China in the 1880's. Previous arrivals used to stay closer to the coast, where the Kongsi, then clan houses, can be found or the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Completely by the sea were the Hokkien people living in the clan jetties.
Many Chinatowns all over the world, as last seen in Melbourne, are delimited by typical arches. Here they can be found at Campbell Street, where I was staying anyway, in the lovely Italian run boutique hotel 'Campbell House'. But this is definitely not the only Chinese part of town.
The area around Campbell Street has been called 'New Chinatown' by historians, since it was settled by later immigrants from China in the 1880's. Previous arrivals used to stay closer to the coast, where the Kongsi, then clan houses, can be found or the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Completely by the sea were the Hokkien people living in the clan jetties.
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niamhbannon
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia35 contributions
Great food, great experience A MUST SEE. There are so many stalls and options it's just amazing. You can also get pork here and it's delicious! Don't be afraid to eat from the stalls it's safe and yummy.
Written November 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,022 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Georgetown is a predominantly Chinese city and there are 3 areas which developed over different periods of the city's history which can be described as Chinatown.
The Old Chinatown was quite small and was the original area designated for Chinese immigrants. It starts at the Kuan Yin Temple in China Street from Beach Street to Pitt Street. It is probably the oldest area in Malaysia and Singapore to be continuously occupied by a predominantly Chinese community. The Hokkiens were here first and were mainly a business community comprising wholesalers and merchants.
New Chinatown resulted as a massive influx of immigrants overflowed Old Chinatown and took over parts of areas occupied by Indians. As Little India shrunk, Chinatown expended. Anglo-Indian architecture of Chulia Street gave way to brick shop houses. This new community comprising of Cantonese were the tradesmen, goldsmith, tailors, carpenters and ironmongers while the Hakkas established themselves in the food industry as chefs and restaurant business.
At the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, the Chinese Trades Neighbourhood was created out of reclaimed land from Beach Street to Weld Quay and out to the clan jetties and Sia Boey. Predominantly Hokkien, they affiliate themselves into clan associations according to their ancestral clans. Their clan temples and houses are all within the Georgetown Heritage Enclave.
When Georgetown where Chinatown is located was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chinatown of Georgetown became one of the few Chinatowns in the world to have the status of being in a Heritage Site. The other two are Malacca Chinatown in Malaysia and Luang Prabang Chinatown in Laos.
Chinese cultures and traditions are very much alive in Chinatown. With clan houses and temples, traditional cafes, restaurants, tea houses, Chinese pastry shops, bakkwa shops, budget and boutique hotels, a visit here is an intriguing and unique experience for travelers.
The Old Chinatown was quite small and was the original area designated for Chinese immigrants. It starts at the Kuan Yin Temple in China Street from Beach Street to Pitt Street. It is probably the oldest area in Malaysia and Singapore to be continuously occupied by a predominantly Chinese community. The Hokkiens were here first and were mainly a business community comprising wholesalers and merchants.
New Chinatown resulted as a massive influx of immigrants overflowed Old Chinatown and took over parts of areas occupied by Indians. As Little India shrunk, Chinatown expended. Anglo-Indian architecture of Chulia Street gave way to brick shop houses. This new community comprising of Cantonese were the tradesmen, goldsmith, tailors, carpenters and ironmongers while the Hakkas established themselves in the food industry as chefs and restaurant business.
At the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, the Chinese Trades Neighbourhood was created out of reclaimed land from Beach Street to Weld Quay and out to the clan jetties and Sia Boey. Predominantly Hokkien, they affiliate themselves into clan associations according to their ancestral clans. Their clan temples and houses are all within the Georgetown Heritage Enclave.
When Georgetown where Chinatown is located was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chinatown of Georgetown became one of the few Chinatowns in the world to have the status of being in a Heritage Site. The other two are Malacca Chinatown in Malaysia and Luang Prabang Chinatown in Laos.
Chinese cultures and traditions are very much alive in Chinatown. With clan houses and temples, traditional cafes, restaurants, tea houses, Chinese pastry shops, bakkwa shops, budget and boutique hotels, a visit here is an intriguing and unique experience for travelers.
Written October 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elsiek
London850 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
You could definitely plan to spend a day in this area as there are many temples to visit, numerous colourful streets to walk and every manner of food & drink to try in the hundreds of restaurants and food stalls that line the streets. Oh and don't forget some souvenir purchasing opportunities as well. All at an excellent price. We were lucky enough to visit during Chinese New Year so also got the opportunity to experience authentic Chinese celebrations including performances of Drums, Ba Xian, Dragon Dance and Hakka Lion Dance. The Lion Dance performance on stilts was amazing. Even without the entertainment, it is a safe, interesting area to stroll around.
Written February 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
111260
Johor Bahru, Malaysia4 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
When you are in Georgetown, Penang, you must try out the chendol at the junction of Lebuh Keng Kwee and Lebuh Penang.
This chendol stall has been there since 1936 and reportedly to be the best chendol in Penang Island.
We have tried and what we were told is very true indeed.
This chendol stall has been there since 1936 and reportedly to be the best chendol in Penang Island.
We have tried and what we were told is very true indeed.
Written August 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worldskarma
181 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Nice area and the food is great but a little bit to expensive if I compare to some other chinese vendors. When it's dark than the food stand rises around the area and the streets are alive. Try the buns with chicken they are some guys who sell them. The bulidings are nice some of them are old and full of chinese letters. There is a heritage site as well (Unesco) Bon appetit
Written July 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,056 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
You can see the difference in the area that is classified as Chinatown. There is an interesting market and the streets seemed to have better paved foot paths and overall it seemed neater than much of George Town
Written March 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mizlgw
Manchester, NH300 contributions
Jul 2016
Stumbled right into the heart of some Chinatown event on a long walk after dinner. So glad we did. Lanterns were lit, songs were sung, thronged with people, cooking in the open, men selling little porcelain goldfish, children smiling and laughing and playing games. Seriously it was a highlight to see so many people engaged and enjoying their time together! LOVED IT!!! Just make sure you watch where you are going and don't step into an opening on the sidewalk!
Written June 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Regina_Lum
George Town, Malaysia90 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
I'm from Penang and have lived here all my life. Please take my word that Penang DOES NOT have a Chinatown, yet.
The location tagged for this "landmark" is Jalan Penang, which is one of the busiest main roads in Penang and at the center of Georgetown. There are cinemas, shopping, food and also accommodation along this road but it's not Chinatown. The Chinese-looking gateway that someone have uploaded for this location is inaccurate and not even in Malaysia.
The closest thing to Chinatown that we have is in the UNESCO Heritage Site along Lebuh Armenian, Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Cannon (look southeast to the map). That is where all the wall murals by Ernest Zacharevic are.
There is an annual heritage celebration on every July 7th at the Heritage site (actual dates might vary according to the weekend dates). Please come over and take a look at the multi-cultural activities and food we have.
The location tagged for this "landmark" is Jalan Penang, which is one of the busiest main roads in Penang and at the center of Georgetown. There are cinemas, shopping, food and also accommodation along this road but it's not Chinatown. The Chinese-looking gateway that someone have uploaded for this location is inaccurate and not even in Malaysia.
The closest thing to Chinatown that we have is in the UNESCO Heritage Site along Lebuh Armenian, Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Cannon (look southeast to the map). That is where all the wall murals by Ernest Zacharevic are.
There is an annual heritage celebration on every July 7th at the Heritage site (actual dates might vary according to the weekend dates). Please come over and take a look at the multi-cultural activities and food we have.
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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