The UNESCO World Heritage Sites has included on its list Georgetown heritage site on July 7, 2008 along with Melaka. The interesting history that themed this multicultural town has paved way to this declaration and become popular among tourists. Georgetown Heritage Walk is termed as guided tours since you can simply walk around Georgetown. You can also hire rickshaw which is paid by the hour to roam around the entire area.
The beauty of Georgetown Heritage is very apparent through its splendid past where the religious and cultural diversity is evident. You will notice here in Georgetown that different religious community and churches coexist peacefully. This ancient town of Georgetown is composed of religious communities and century old houses amazingly unified.
Georgetown houses that were built and maintained by their owners display delicate architecture and Chinese art. The Cheing Fatt Tze provides guided tours everyday to the residence of Zhang Bishi, a Hakka magnate and a Qing Dynasty consul. On the other hand, Penang Mansion displays collection of antiques of Baba Nyonya which is a home to a mine owner, Ching Keng Kwee. The house of Yeap Chor Ee is another historical gallery which displays attractive items of the Yeap residents. You can also find here the Leong Yin Khean, the home of Thirty-Two restaurant.
Captain Francis Light built Fort Cornwallis in 1786 furnished with a chapel, gallery, and lighthouse. You will also find the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Clocktower near the fort which was built in 1902 to honor the Queen’s 60th year of reign. Other historical sites that you can find nearby are supreme court building, town hall, city hall, the memorial cemetery, Zhemchuk wreck marker, and the state assembly building which exist since 1800.
There are particular landmarks in Georgetown, Malaysia that can touch hearts. Among those is dedicated to scholars and lawyers who died in 1869 fighting for the rights of the local residents, the Logan’s monument. The Penang State Museum is another interesting spot which opened its door in 1965 and displays pictures, porcelains, paintings, and other crafts that reflects the history of Penang.
Religious Grounds
Tourists and worshippers walk along this fascinating street showcasing various religious beliefs of Georgetown, Malaysia. You can experience here Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam religions.
The Church of Assumption was constructed in 1787 where the old original pipe organ is still in use. The St. George Anglican Church is the first Anglican Church which was built in 1818 and the main church of the British administration officers. The Muslim shrine, Nagore Shrine was built in 1801 in honor of South Indian Muslim saint. For the Muslim brothers ther is also the Kapitan Keling Mosque. You can also visit Sri Maha Mariaman temple built in 1833 for the Hindus.
Tourists can experience the combination of Islamic and Chinese ambiance in streets of Cannon, Acheen, and Armenina. You can see the two temples of the two religious faiths which stood side by side harmoniously. There is Hock Teik Cheng Sin temple is of course a Chinese temple, while for the Yap clansmen is the Yap Kongsi temple. A few steps away is the Malay mosque located in Acheen Street. Experience the heritage of Muslim communities in Penang in Penang Islamic Museum while visiting Georgetown which can be found in the 19th century Syed Alatas Mansion.
Georgetown Heritage Walk in Malaysia is worth reminiscing. The presence of enthralling sounds and sights here can bring you back in time. No wonder why UNESCO has chosen Georgetown as among the world’s heritage sites.
Image by Jolly_Jarvis, philipmak, Rock Portrait Photography