George Town, named by the British after King George III, is Penang capital city. The government centre and its financial heart, George Town is an interesting and bustling city with modern high rise buildings, cathedrals, mosques, government offices, temples, bazaars, shops and cafes. A myriad of delights, George Town is very compact ? the older part of the city is a labyrinth of narrow lanes and alleyways, which makes it a pleasure to walk and sight-see.
Indeed, walking is highly recommended ? a leisurely stroll will enable one to slowly drink in the many details that would otherwise be lost in a hurried tour. If walking is considered tiring, try a ride on the old but exciting trishaw.
The clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
It towers 60 feet in high ? one foot for each year of Her Majesty's reign. The Queen had died by the time the clock tower was finally completed in 1920.
Next to Fort Cornwallis is the Esplanade, a popular waterfront promenade which stretches from the hawker stalls at one end to the clock tower at the other. Central in the Esplanade is the Padang, a huge square of town green.
Standing proudly beside is the City Hall, a stately colonial building which is a fine example of British palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.
Fort Cornwallis is situated at the spot where Captain Francis Light was supposed to have landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 with convict labour. It was named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India, and designed to protect the harbour from possible French attacks.
Today, much of the old fort remains, but its precincts have been converted into a public park and an open air theater. It is still guarded by old cannons, which were retrieved by the British from pirates who had captured them from the Johore Sultanate. The most famous of the cannons is Seri Rambai, which dates back to 1613. Local beliefs have it that childless women can become fertile by placing flowers in the barrel of the cannon and offering special prayers.
P. Ramlee's Birthplace & Gallery, Jalan P. Ramlee
Located at Lebuh Farquhar, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Malaysia. The building which houses the museum was built in 1821 and was formerly the Penang Free School. It showcases old photographs, maps, charts, historical relics, paintings of early Penang, all of which provide an insight to Penang's history.
If you want to know what life was like in Penang during wartime, you'll find some of the answers at the Penang War Museum. Housed in what was once a British fort built during World War II, the museum is the only one of its kind in the country.
Indeed, walking is highly recommended ? a leisurely stroll will enable one to slowly drink in the many details that would otherwise be lost in a hurried tour. If walking is considered tiring, try a ride on the old but exciting trishaw.
Clock Tower, Pesiaran King Edward
The clock tower was presented to Penang by local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
It towers 60 feet in high ? one foot for each year of Her Majesty's reign. The Queen had died by the time the clock tower was finally completed in 1920.
Esplanade
Next to Fort Cornwallis is the Esplanade, a popular waterfront promenade which stretches from the hawker stalls at one end to the clock tower at the other. Central in the Esplanade is the Padang, a huge square of town green.
Standing proudly beside is the City Hall, a stately colonial building which is a fine example of British palladian architecture featuring magnificent Corinthian columns and huge windows. It was once the seat of local government.
Fort Cornwallis, Padang Kota Lama
Fort Cornwallis is situated at the spot where Captain Francis Light was supposed to have landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 with convict labour. It was named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India, and designed to protect the harbour from possible French attacks.
Today, much of the old fort remains, but its precincts have been converted into a public park and an open air theater. It is still guarded by old cannons, which were retrieved by the British from pirates who had captured them from the Johore Sultanate. The most famous of the cannons is Seri Rambai, which dates back to 1613. Local beliefs have it that childless women can become fertile by placing flowers in the barrel of the cannon and offering special prayers.
P. Ramlee's Birthplace & Gallery, Jalan P. Ramlee
P. Ramlee's house is located at Lot 2180, Jalan P. Ramlee, Penang. P. Ramlee was born in this house which was built in 1926 by his father and uncle, Rejab bih Hussein. The house was twice renovated by the latter ? once during the Japanese Occupation and the other in 1948.
The national Archives accquired the house and carried out restoration works in 1991. The original form of the house is still intact. Today, a small gallery stands next to Ramlee's birthplace, displaying memorabilia of all kinds.
The national Archives accquired the house and carried out restoration works in 1991. The original form of the house is still intact. Today, a small gallery stands next to Ramlee's birthplace, displaying memorabilia of all kinds.
Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Lebuh Farquhar
Located at Lebuh Farquhar, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Malaysia. The building which houses the museum was built in 1821 and was formerly the Penang Free School. It showcases old photographs, maps, charts, historical relics, paintings of early Penang, all of which provide an insight to Penang's history.
War Museum, Batu Maung
If you want to know what life was like in Penang during wartime, you'll find some of the answers at the Penang War Museum. Housed in what was once a British fort built during World War II, the museum is the only one of its kind in the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment