Historical

The winner of UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Award for Conservation, the building's eclectic character is a reflection of the times at the end of the 19th Century when the myths and magic of the Chinese Kingdom embraced the glory of the British Empire in a whirling pool of cross-cultural energies. : Cheong Fatt Tze (1840-1917), once dubbed as 'China's Rockefeller' by The New York Times, built a vast commercial empire in South East Asia, 1st in Indonesia, then in Singapore. He came to Penang in 1890 and continued his success, giving some of his spoils to build schools throughout the region. His mansion, where he lived with his eight wives was built between 1896 and 1904. Inside are lavish adornments : stained glass, crown moldings, gilded wood-carved doors, ceramic ornaments and seven staircases. The house was built and named after a Hakka migrant in 1890. He was born a penniless person but eventually became the most powerful overseas Chinese merchant of his time in Nanyang. Moving to Penang, he continued to build his empire of shipping, opium and mining in Southeast Asia. The house is a magnificent architectural marvel with distinct European styling and stained-glass windows. Today, the house is open for visitors to learn more about Cheongˇ¦s history through antiques and paraphernalia displayed in the building. The sprawling mansion has 38 huge rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows! There's also the option of staying there, which sets you back from RM 250 to 700.

• Daily at 11am and 3pm
• Entrance: RM 12.00
• Location : Leith Street

The Esplanade is a well-preserved colonial building from the heyday of the British Empire since 1903, at a cost of 100,000 Straits Dollars. Once the seat of local government, it was built in the 1880ˇ¦s. This stately colonial building is a fine example of British Palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. The City Hall located along the Esplanade is a fine building of Victorian architecture built in 1903; a reminder of the colonial era in Penang. The City Hall faces a historic field ˇV Padang Kota which is a venue for festivals and other large-scale events. Today, the Hall is still used for period meetings among the Penang Municipal Council Chamber.

• Location : Jalan Syed Sheikh Barakbah

Built on the site where Captain Francis Light, founder of Penang, first landed in August 11th 1786. The fort was first built in 1793, but this site was an unlikely spot to defend the city from invasion. It was originally built as a wooden stockade by convicts, receiving concrete upgrades through time. In 1810 it was rebuilt in an attempt to make up for initial strategic planning errors. In the shape of a star, the only actual buildings still standing are the outer walls, a gunpowder magazine, and a small Christian chapel. The magazine houses an exhibit of old photos and historical accounts of the old fort. Today , the battlement studded with old cannons are the only reminder of the fort that was built on the spot where Captain Francis Light first stepped ashore in 1786. Seri Rambai, the largest and most important cannon here is famed for its provocative powers - childless women are advised to place flowers in the barrel and offer it special prayers. The fort has been converted into an open-air park complete with amphitheatre, a history gallery, cafes, and souvenir shops. There are also a few cannons sitting around, the most famous being Seri Rambai, reputedly having mystical powers.

• Location : Light Street

Built in 1850 by the forefathers of Khoo family who emigrated from South China, as a clan-house for members of the Khoo family. In 1836, construction of a new temple began and was completed 8 years later, but fire razed the wooden structure to the ground in 1894, allegedly struck by the lightning. Chinese believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace, which provoked the gods. A scaled-down version was later built in 1902 and completed in 1906. The richly ornamented carvings of the roofs, walls and pillars reflect the art and architecture of ancient China and made of the finest wood. The Kongsi or clan temple is the most picturesque temple in Penang with intricate carvings of its walls, pillars, and roof created by master craftsmen from China. Permission to enter must be obtained from the Kongsi office.

• Open 9am to 5pm - Mon to Fri and 9am to 1pm on Sat.
• Entrance RM 5 for adults.
• Location : 18 Cannon Street

Located in the Syed Al-Attas Mansion, the century-old mansion that was named after its owner, a spice trader from Acheh.

• Tel :+60 4 262-0172, Fax:+60 4 264-4692
• Wed-Mon 9.30AM-6PM (9.30AM-4PM during fasting month)
• Entrance : RM 3 for adults and children below 12 RM1.
• Location : 128 Armenian Street

Originally the home of Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, leader of Penang and Perak Hai San groups in the Larut Wars from 1860 to 1884. The mansion is a typical representation of the Straits Eclectic style of architecture highly favoured by rich Peranakan families of old. Affectionally called Hai Kee Chan or Sea Remembrance Store, it served as his residence and office.

• Tel :+60 4 264-2929, Fax +60 4 264-1929
• Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM. Daily conducted tour 11.30AM-3.30PM.
• Entrance : RM10 for adult (ages 12 and above), free for children below 12
• Location : Church Street (Lebuh Gereja)

is located near Fort Cornwallis, was formerly the Penang Free School which was built in two separate stages in 1896 and 1906. Penang Museum was built in 1965 and houses a collection of priceless artefacts and state treasures. Eight of the ten original oil paintings by the famous artist Captain Robert Smith are found here. Other items on display include porcelain, furniture, jewellery and costumes from past historical eras. There are also maps, charts and memorabilia used by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Other collections are former Penang Hill railway carriage, a handwritten Qur`an, old Malays weapons donated by the family of the late Dato' Haji Fathil Basheer and etc.

• Open from 9am to 5pm. Closed on Friday
• Entrance : RM1.00
• Location : Farquhar Street

This 60 feet high clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire, Cheah Chen Eok, in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. . The Clock Tower is a colonial reminder from the era of the British Empire in Penang. Built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, the Clock Tower was a gift to the British authorities from a local millionaire, Cheah Chen Eok. Moorish stylings dominate the structure and from afar, it resembles the minaret of a mosque.

• Location : intersection of Light Street, Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai) and King Edward Place (Pesara King Edward).

This is the latest attraction in Penang, located at in front of Copthrone Orchid Hotel. Rank as Asia's first and World's largest toy museum, the owner Ir Loh Lean Cheng spends his 30 years to collect over 100,000 toys, dolls, models and other fun collections. The vast collection includes characters from cartoons, comics, computer games, sports, movies, novels, shows and the music world. Started by an avid collector of toys, the museum is also said to be the largest of its kind in Asia with many different chambers showcasing toys from different genres such as anime, Hong Kong movie stars, horror, science fiction, fantasy and Dozens of amazingly realistic, life-size figures add to the Fun.

• Tel :+60 12 460-2096.
• Mon-Sat, 9AM-9PM.
• Entrance : Adult and children above 3-feet RM10, children below 3-feet RM6
• Location : Tanjung Bungah

Located at southeastern of Penang, this museum could be the largest living war museum in Asia. It is the mighty military fortress built in 1930's by British to protect the island from enemies. The British Royal Engineers and a work force comprises of local labourers blasted and dug into the hill to create a fort with underground military tunnels, intelligence and logistic center, halls, offices, ventilation shafts, canon firing bays, sleeping querters, cook houses as well as medical infirmary. Located on a sprawling 20-acre piece of land, visitors will be taken on a journey through a soldierˇ¦s perspective as he narrates the dangers and challenges of war. There are canons, armaments, survival kits used by soldiers on display as well as underground installations such as pillboxes, tunnels and ventilations shafts. Visitors will be enlightened by the many war relics exhibited and hopefully, come out with a better understanding of the nature of global conflict.

• Tel : +60 4 626-5142, 391-0067 Fax: +60 4 626-4142, 644-8015.
• Every day, 9AM-7PM
• Location : CLot 1350, Mukim 12, Batu Maung